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Hello everyone, in this suggestion we’ll be having a look at a curious little XLR prototype, the S2 upgrade with a paseo commander’s sight.
This vehicle is an intermediate state of a Leclerc tank in the XLR upgrade program. The latter is the latest standard that France is elevating their Leclerc MBTs to. It’s mostly a mid-life service upgrade destined to keep the tanks in service until their replacement, but it features a couple of nice improvements as well.
The key differences between the XLR and its predecessors are the addition of a FN Herstal T2B RCWS and the integration of the new paseo commander’s optic, extra protection against chemical threats on the sides and a mine protection plate on the bottom. The new standard also allows the use of the very high performance SHARD APFSDS round.
The upgrade is supposed to a large section of the French Leclerc fleet, with just under 200 tanks expected to be brought up to the standard eventually. This means that both the SXXI and older S2 models are going to be upgraded. The upgrade is expected to be completed by 2029-2030.
What we’re looking at here then, is a Leclerc of the S2 series pretending to be an SXXI that has received upgraded to the XLR standard. We can tell that it is an S2 because of the turret armour, which doesn’t have the upgraded block under the gunner sight of the SXXI, but instead the smaller block of the S2 with an addition to make it look like an SXXI. Unlike the XLRs that have been delivered to the armed forces as of 2026 however, this prototype does come with the improved paseo commander’s optic (this is only planned to be applied to production models by 2028 at the earliest). The same excellent piece of technology that can be found on the EBRC Jaguar. It also features the other announced upgrades such as the added AZUR side armour and the RCWS.
With all the upgrades, the XLR standard is the heaviest of all Leclerc variants, with an estimated weight of at least 57 tons. The engine has not been upgraded, meaning that you still have 1500 hp to power yourself around the battlefield. The power-to-weight ratio is by no means bad, but it will be the worst of any Leclerc in-game right now. Top speed of 72km/h and reverse of 38 remain unchanged.
The final production XLR is supposed to feature an upgraded set of armour over its predecessors as well. While the vehicle that was displayed here does feature the extra plate on the belly that protects the crew against mines, it does not feature other armour improvements that are part of the XLR program.
General characteristics:
- Crew: 3
- Weight: 60 tons (as equipped with AZUR kit and RCWS)
- Engine power: 1500 hp
- Power-to-weight ratio: 25 hp/ton
- Maximum speed: 72 km/h forward, 38 km/h reverse.
Armament:
-
1x 120mm CN-120-26 L/52 cannon with the following ammo selection:
- OFL 120 F2 APFSDS
- OFL 120 F1 APFSDS
- F1 HE
- OCC 120 G1 HEAT
- SHARD APFSDS (new round)
- M3M programable HE (new round)
-
1x 12.7mm coaxial machine gun
-
1x 7.6mm machine gun in RCWS
Systems:
- Laser rangefinder
- Thermal sights (gunner and commander, 4th gen)
- Laser warning system
- Commander gunner override
- Stabilizer
In-game
This particular variant of the XLR could come into the game as a sidegrade to the actual production XLR. It trades in the extra turret armour for an improved commander sight. It is likely that eventually production models will appear that have both, but as of right now, that isn’t applicable yet. Due to this variant pretty much being a unique model, it is possible for it to become a squadron or premium tank rather than being researchable. In either case, it is good to have options, so that this vehicle could be chosen over a non-French option.
Gameplay-wise, it would play like a mix between the SXXI and AZUR models. Having access to a commander’s sigh with top-tier thermal sights, but also featuring the added weight of the AZUR armour package. It would very much differentiate itself by its new ammunition however, the SHARD round would give the Leclerc a very welcome upgrade in firepower. The extra armour of the SXXI that is missing from this model would not really have much impact to how the tank plays.
All-in-all it should be a fun, unique, and actually French addition to the highest ranks of the French ground tree.
Sources
- https://knds.com/en/products/systems/leclerc-xlr
- https://www.armyrecognition.com/main_battle_tank_heavy_armoured_france_french_army/leclerc_scorpion_xlr_mbt_main_battle_tank_technical_data_sheet_specifications_pictures_video_10704171.html
- Newest Leclerc XLR tank gets new RWS and Herstal 12.7mm gun
- https://nailsalonupperwestside.blogspot.com/2021/05/leclerc-xlr-army-guide-leclerc-tank-was.html
- MBT Leclerc Scorpion / XLR / Leclerc R (Rénové)
- Leclerc XLR: competitor to “Armata” or an attempt to catch up with “Leopard”