France Rolls Out Anti-Drone Upgrades for Leclerc XLR Tanks

The French army has begun equipping its Leclerc XLR main battle tanks with “grill”-type anti-drone protection as a standard feature.

Analyst Ronkainen published the photos on his X page.

The new design was seen on tanks of the 5th Dragoon Regiment during exercises with Switzerland’s 17th Mechanized Battalion.

France started fitting experimental “grills” in late 2024.

At the time, it was reported that the design had been developed by the army’s STAT technical department, with serial production planned for 2025. Those plans now appear to be moving ahead, although so far only on XLRs.

Since the first prototypes, the design has changed significantly. The original French “grill” was a simple metal lattice frame with side openings for the crew.

The current version appears more refined, seems to have a factory finish, provides more space on the turret roof, and has likely become lighter.

Additional protection is now installed not only over the turret but also above the engine and transmission compartment and along the rear of the vehicle.

Leclerc XLR

The Leclerc XLR is a major upgrade of the Leclerc tank that includes a new digital fire control system, enabling engagement of stationary targets at ranges up to 4 km.

The vehicle received the SICS information and command system and was integrated into a unified data network, improving unit-level coordination.

The upgrades include both electronics and armor. The tank received enhanced protection against improvised explosive devices with additional bottom plating, as well as reinforced side and turret armor with anti-RPG grids. The design also allows installation of additional reactive armor.

To accommodate the extra protection, the tank’s secondary ammunition storage was removed, reducing the load by 18 shells and leaving only the 22 rounds carried in the turret bustle autoloader.

For engaging enemy personnel, the Leclerc XLR received an FN Herstal T2B remotely operated weapon station with a 7.62 mm machine gun. Its design allows for adjustable elevation, expanding the firing arc and reducing dead zones around the tank.

The new armor and upgraded electronics increased the tank’s weight from 57 to 63 tons, placing it in the same weight class as the U.S. M1 Abrams and the German Leopard 2, both of which exceed 60 tons.

The modernization program began in 2021, when the French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) and Nexter Systems started upgrading the first 50 Leclerc tanks for the French army.