PESCO PROJECTS

Main Battle Tank Simulation and Testing Center (MBT-SIMTEC)

The project aims at the establishment of an MBT simulation center, based on existing national infrastructure, for training including concepts, doctrine and standardisation, and at the further development of Modelling & Simulation capabilities including networking with the training centers of the potential project members.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Even though the rapid development of technology has led to state-of-the-art solutions, the main battle tank (MBT) remains the fundamental weapon of the mounted warfare, especially against hostile MBTs and other heavily armored threats. In this context, Greece, as the biggest operational user of MBTs in the European Union (EU) and the biggest operational user of LEO MBTs worldwide, possesses the suitable facilities and all the required experience and personnel to conduct the demanding and highly important task of a successful MBT simulation. Contributing significantly to the development of EU’s capabilities in the mounted warfare domain and especially in the “MBT Focus Area”, Greece proposes the creation of a Main Battle Tank Simulation and Testing Centre (MBT-SIMTEC).

OBJECTIVES/PRODUCTS

The project aims at developing a MBT simulation centre, which through practical training and testing on various tank simulators, will in short term, provide training and practice via LEO 2HEL (A6+), LEO 2A4, LEO 1A5 and M901 ITV simulation systems; practice and testing of new MBT tactics in mounted warfare; and new doctrines for the tactical use of MBTs in future operational and tactical environments.

In mid-term, it will facilitate networking of the Hellenic Armor Simulation Centre with existing Training Simulation Facilities of EU Member States or Third Parties (ex. US Army, Swiss Army); define main and secondary specifications on the development of new subcomponents in MBT fire control, weapon, Command-Control-Communications-Computers and Information systems (C4I), situational awareness, decision aiding and protection systems; and create a Manoeuvre Excellence Laboratory in order to enhance and promote development of new Doctrines, Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs) based on the Maneuverist Approach as well as interoperability of the EU Armoured Forces.

In long-term, it will produce a modular MBT simulation system based on COTS hardware equipment and software facilitated by Artificial Intelligence (AI), while also creating a mechanism/instrument (tool) for providing solutions over shortfalls that may occur in future platforms.