Tank origin

After the failure of a joint effort between France and Germany to design a new main battle tank, France undertook the initiative that eventually produced the Leclerc. Plans for the Leclerc included several advanced features, including modular composite armor, thermal profile reduction, an autoloader, and a 120mm smoothbore gun designed for increased muzzle velocity. The vehicle entered service in 1992, with the T3 series considered the beginning of the its official production run. It remains in service today with the armies of France and the United Arab Emirates.