At DSEI 2025 in London, European missile manufacturer MBDA showcased its latest anti-tank innovation—the Akeron MBT 120. Designed to provide main battle tanks with a precision-guided munition capable of engaging targets beyond direct line of sight (BLOS), the new missile represents a significant evolution in armored warfare lethality and survivability. Integrated initially on the French Leclerc Evolution demonstrator tank by Nexter (KNDS France), the Akeron MBT is positioned as a NATO-compatible solution for modern mechanized forces.
Akeron Family Expansion: From Infantry to Armored Platforms
The Akeron MBT 120 builds upon the existing Akeron family of missiles (formerly known as MMP or Missile Moyenne Portée), which includes versions for infantry and helicopter launch. The original Akeron MP is a fifth-generation fire-and-forget/fire-and-update missile fielded by French forces since 2017. It features dual-mode guidance (infrared and TV), man-in-the-loop capability via fiber-optic datalink, and BLOS engagement through third-party target designation.
The new Akeron MBT variant adapts this concept to armored vehicles—specifically main battle tanks—by integrating into their autoloaders or external launchers. The “120” designation refers to its compatibility with standard NATO 120 mm smoothbore tank guns. This allows tank crews to fire guided munitions directly from their primary weapon system without requiring external pods or dismounting troops.
Key Features and Capabilities
According to official specifications released by MBDA at DSEI 2025 and corroborated by defense reporting from Army Recognition and Janes Defence Weekly:
- Caliber: Compatible with standard NATO 120 mm smoothbore guns
- Range: Estimated effective range exceeds 8 km in BLOS mode
- Guidance: Dual-mode seeker (uncooled IR + TV) with fiber-optic datalink for man-in-the-loop control
- BLOS Capability: Can engage non-line-of-sight targets using UAVs or forward observers for target designation
- Warhead: Tandem HEAT designed to defeat ERA-equipped armored vehicles
This configuration enables multiple engagement modes—including lock-on before launch (LOBL), lock-on after launch (LOAL), and real-time retargeting—providing flexibility against both static fortifications and moving armored threats. The use of uncooled IR also reduces cost and maintenance burden compared to cooled seekers.
Tactical Implications for Armored Warfare
The introduction of BLOS-capable munitions fired from tank guns significantly alters traditional armored tactics. Historically, tanks have been constrained by direct-fire line-of-sight engagements due to ballistic limitations of conventional kinetic rounds such as APFSDS or HEAT shells. With the Akeron MBT, tank commanders can now engage enemy armor hidden behind terrain features or urban cover—provided they receive coordinates via UAVs or networked sensors.
This capability aligns with evolving doctrines emphasizing multi-domain operations (MDO) and sensor-to-shooter integration across platforms. For example:
- A drone identifies an enemy IFV behind a ridge; coordinates are relayed via C4ISR network;
- A friendly tank launches an Akeron MBT round toward that location;
- The operator guides it via man-in-the-loop video feed until terminal homing activates;
This not only enhances lethality but also improves crew survivability by allowing standoff engagements from covered positions.
Integration with Leclerc Evolution Demonstrator
The first platform integrated with the Akeron MBT is Nexter’s Leclerc Evolution—a technology demonstrator unveiled at Eurosatory 2024 as part of France’s effort to modernize its aging Leclerc fleet ahead of MGCS timelines. The demonstrator includes upgraded sensors, active protection systems (APS), AI-enabled C4ISR interfaces—and now guided munitions like the Akeron.
Nexter confirmed that the Leclerc Evolution’s autoloader has been modified to accommodate both conventional ammunition types and guided rounds like the Akeron MBT without major structural changes. This modularity is key for future export potential among NATO users employing Leopard 2A7V or Abrams SEPv3/4 platforms.
NATO Interoperability & Export Outlook
The decision to make the missile compatible with standard NATO smoothbore guns opens up significant export potential beyond France. While Russia has long fielded gun-launched ATGMs such as the Reflex/Kobra series on T-72/80/90 tanks, Western forces have lacked an equivalent system until now—with previous efforts like LAHAT seeing limited adoption.
Nations investing in next-gen armor modernization—including Poland (with K2PL), Italy (Ariete AMV upgrade), Germany (Leopard upgrades), and others—may view gun-launched BLOS missiles as a critical enabler in peer conflict scenarios against entrenched armor formations supported by EW/UAS assets.
Additionally, integration into joint fires networks will be essential. Compatibility with NATO-standard digital architectures such as STANAG-compliant FBCB2/BMS systems will determine how effectively platforms can cue targets across domains—from artillery observers to UAV operators feeding coordinates into tank fire control systems.
Challenges Ahead: Cost, Doctrine & Training
Despite its promise, several challenges remain before widespread fielding:
- Cost per round: Guided munitions are significantly more expensive than APFSDS shells (~$10K–$15K vs ~$100K+ per guided round)
- Tactical doctrine: Requires adaptation of armored unit TTPs around indirect engagement concepts
- Crew training: Operators must learn man-in-the-loop targeting workflows under combat stress conditions
- C4ISR integration: Effective use depends on robust digital battlefield networks linking sensors to shooters in real time
If these hurdles are addressed through doctrinal updates and procurement planning—as seen in France’s SCORPION program—the Akeron MBT could redefine how Western tanks fight in contested environments dominated by drones, loitering munitions, and dispersed threats.
Conclusion: Toward Multi-Domain Precision Armor Fires
The unveiling of the Akeron MBT at DSEI marks a pivotal moment in Western armored warfare evolution—bridging precision strike capabilities traditionally associated with infantry ATGMs into core main battle tank arsenals. As peer adversaries invest heavily in layered defenses and anti-access strategies, giving tanks reach beyond line-of-sight may prove decisive on tomorrow’s battlefield.
If adopted widely across NATO fleets—and integrated into network-centric kill chains—the Akeron MBT could become a cornerstone munition enabling distributed lethality from armored formations operating under MDO principles.
