A New Life for Retired Armor

The French Foreign Legion is considering a novel approach to logistics: repurposing decommissioned main battle tanks into unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). During the recent National Infantry Days (Journées nationales de l'infanterie) in Draguignan, the defense outlet Forces Operations Blog (FOB) highlighted a project titled REFURBOT, which aims to turn heavy armored hulls into autonomous robotic "mules" for the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment.

Developed by the French firms S2M Equipment and KNDS, the project is characterized not as a standalone machine, but as a modular conversion kit. This technology allows military forces to rapidly "recycle" aging vehicle fleets, transforming them into unmanned assets capable of supporting frontline operations.


The Technology Behind the Conversion

The backbone of this transformation is the TOXO package. This bolt-on system integrates advanced navigation and control technologies to facilitate autonomous operation. According to technical details, the package includes:

  • Radar and Lidar sensors for environmental mapping.
  • GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) for precise positioning.
  • An array of cameras combined with drive-by-wire controls.

The system supports multiple operational modes, such as leader-follower driving, waypoint patrolling, and route following. While the platform was initially demonstrated at Eurosatory in 2026 as a combat robot equipped with a 25mm cannon, the developers are now pivoting toward its utility as a heavy-duty supply carrier.


The Challenge of Prototype Origins

While the goal is to recycle existing fleets—specifically the thousands of AMX-30 variants available in storage—the current demonstrator has faced some scrutiny. Reports indicate that the prototype was built using the hull of an AMX-32. This is notable because only two AMX-32 prototypes were ever manufactured, making the test vehicle a rare piece of hardware rather than a representative of the decommissioned stockpile intended for mass conversion.


Lessons from Modern Conflict

The focus on robotic logistics has been heavily influenced by ongoing conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine, where thousands of UGV missions have been conducted for supply delivery and casualty evacuation. General Vincent Breton, head of France’s joint doctrine center, noted that smaller UGVs often struggle with uneven, artillery-churned terrain.

«A main battle tank's hull would be much more resilient in such situations,» proponents argue, citing the superior armor, mobility, and internal volume of tank platforms compared to smaller robotic counterparts.

Future Outlook

Despite the potential benefits, several questions remain regarding the practicality of such conversions. Aging powertrains may struggle with reliability, and the sheer size of the vehicle makes it a prominent target for modern threats like FPV drones. Furthermore, neither S2M nor KNDS has disclosed specific payload capacities, production costs, or contract details.

France is not alone in this pursuit; global interest in robotic tank conversions is growing. For instance, the Indian Army is actively seeking partners to convert T-72 tanks into remote-operated systems by 2030. For now, the French REFURBOT remains in the prototype phase, awaiting further evaluation through tactical challenges and human-machine teaming exercises before it can truly prove its worth as a viable "XXL robotic mule."