France has commissioned KNDS Ammo France to manufacture Shard next-generation armor-piercing rounds for the Leclerc XLR fleet under a contract valued at over 100 million euros.
The framework agreement runs for seven years, with first deliveries planned for mid-2029. Eurenco will partner on the program, providing propellant charges and sabot assemblies.
The Shard round leverages a high-density proprietary alloy and advanced tungsten penetrator technology to enhance lethality against cutting-edge composite armor. By achieving greater muzzle velocity, it seeks to outpace the response cycle of active protection systems, ensuring the Leclerc remains a credible battlefield asset well into the next decade.
