Defense firms repurpose Cold War-era AMX-30 tanks into heavy combat robots

PARIS — Defense manufacturers S2M Equipment and KNDS France have unveiled a new program to transform retired Cold War-era main battle tanks into heavy unmanned ground vehicles, aiming to repurpose thousands of aging armored hulls currently held in European stockpiles.

The project, designated REFURBOT, was showcased at the Eurosatory defense exhibition. It utilizes the chassis of the French-made AMX-30, a 36-metric-ton tank that served as the backbone of French armored forces for decades. By integrating the KNDS TOXO robotics kit, the companies have converted the manned platform into an autonomous system capable of remote operation.

France produced 3,571 AMX-30 tanks between 1966 and 1994. While the platform has long been phased out of front-line service in most militaries, many hulls remain in storage. The REFURBOT initiative offers a cost-effective alternative to scrapping these assets by converting them into sacrificial fire support or reconnaissance units.

KNDS, a European defense heavyweight formed by the merger of Nexter and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, provides the autonomous control systems required to navigate the vehicle without a crew. The conversion removes the original manned turret and the 105mm F1 main gun, replacing the four-person crew compartment with a remote-controlled weapon station.

The new configuration features the ARX-25 turret, which is equipped with a 25M811 automatic cannon firing 25mm x 137 ammunition. This weapon system is already established in the French Army, where it serves on various versions of the VBCI wheeled infantry fighting vehicle. The turret features a dual-feed system allowing operators to switch between armor-piercing, incendiary, or high-explosive fragmentation rounds depending on the target.

Equipped with stabilized day, night, and thermal optics, the REFURBOT can engage light armored vehicles, infantry, and aerial threats such as drones and loitering munitions at ranges exceeding 2,500 meters. This multi-layered defensive capability marks a significant shift from the original 1960s design, which was intended almost exclusively for direct-fire engagements against other tanks.

Industry analysts note that the use of a 36-ton armored chassis distinguishes the REFURBOT from the smaller, lighter robotic platforms that currently dominate the unmanned ground vehicle market. By removing the crew, militaries can deploy these heavy platforms into high-risk zones where commanders might otherwise hesitate to send manned vehicles.

KNDS is also developing other robotic systems, including the smaller CENTURIO platform. However, the REFURBOT project focuses on leveraging the mass and existing armor of legacy fleets to meet modern battlefield demands, particularly the growing threat posed by small attack drones and helicopters.