The KNDS successfully tests the new 140 mm Ascalon cannon, the future main weapon of the MGCS

Knds successfully tests the new 140mm Ascalon gun at a test site. This gun has high firepower and rate of fire, but modularity, within an hour, a change in diameter to a 120mm gun is a possibility. This modularity opens up new perspectives for cavalry doctrines. Currently, this 140 mm gun is not mounted on a tank turret, in 2025, a first test on a fully mounted gun will be carried out by manufacturers. This 140mm gun should be in the MGCS.
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Photos of the ASCALON® cannon firing tests. (Photo source: KNDS)

KNDS is actively working to demonstrate the maturity of the ASCALON® 140mm cannon and its ammunition. The last firing campaign in May 2024 showed the excellent capabilities of the 140 and 120 mm guns as well as the maturity of the APFSDS shells. The ASCALON® program includes several hundred firings of 120 and 140 mm cannons from May 2022 to December 2025. The next important step concerns firing tests from a MBT in 2025.

The KNDS demonstration included firing a 140mm ASCALON® cannon followed by a quick switch to a 120mm ASCALON® cannon before further firing of 120mm ammunition. This campaign shows the possibility offered by the ASCALON® concept of mounting any gun from 120 mm to 140 mm on a single carriage in less than an hour.

The innovative ASCALON® concept offers performances that current technologies do not offer. It also offers significant growth potential. As a leader in large-caliber weapons and munitions innovation, KNDS designed ASCALON® with an open architecture to serve as the basis for cooperative development of a combat weapons platform under the program Franco-German MGCS, laying the foundations of the future standard of European tank gun and ammunition.

KNDS (KMW+NEXTER Defense Systems) is the result of the association of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Nexter, two of Europe's leading manufacturers of military land systems based in Germany and France.

KNDS forms a group of around 9,500 employees, with a 2023 turnover of 3.3 billion euros, an order book of around 16 billion euros and incoming orders of 7.8 billion euros. euros. Its products include main battle tanks, armored vehicles, artillery systems, weapon systems, munitions, military bridges, customer services, combat management systems, training solutions, solutions protection and a wide range of equipment.

The creation of KNDS represents the beginning of the consolidation of the land defense systems industry in Europe. The strategic alliance between KMW and Nexter strengthens the competitiveness and international position of the two groups, as well as their ability to meet the needs of their respective national armies. In addition, it offers its European and NATO customers the opportunity for increased standardization and interoperability of their defense equipment, with a reliable industrial base.