New Tank and Aircraft Carrier
France is increasing funding for concept and feasibility studies for future weapons to the value of €2.8 billion. This increase includes an annual €1.8 billion budget for concept studies for large arms programmes and raising the finance for feasibility studies to an annual €1 billion by 2022 from the present €730 million. The funding will apply to the future fighter jet, battle tank and a successor to the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier.
This real change in direction for studies geared toward future programmes will also be tied to other European countries. France is partnering with Germany on a future fighter jet and a tank, as well as teaming with Britain on a combat UAV, although the latter is in suspension due to Britain’s exit from the European Union.
Vintage M-60 Tanks
The M60 ‘Patton’ tank is iconic of the Cold War. Though not used in the Vietnam War, it saw extensive use by Israel and Iran in the various hot wars of the 20th century and made up the bulk of the USA’s fleet facing down the Warsaw Pact throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
It was phased out of American service in the 2000s and most other tank fleets by the 2010s but the M60 continue…
