The project is led by MARTE ARGE GbR, a joint venture formed by KNDS Deutschland and Rheinmetall Landsysteme. It brings together 51 entities from 12 countries—including 11 EU Member States and Norway—ranging from major defense firms and mid-sized companies to research institutes and SMEs. The initiative has received a €20 million grant from the European Defence Fund, with additional backing from the defense ministries of Germany, Belgium, Spain, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Romania, and Sweden.
According to the project organizers, MARTE seeks to study and design a main battle tank system that reflects the collective operational requirements of participating countries while incorporating technologies shaped by current conflict experiences and emerging battlefield trends.
Each of the five main work packages of the project is led by a key industry player: KNDS Deutschland, Rheinmetall Landsysteme, Leonardo (Italy), Indra Sistemas (Spain), and Saab (Sweden). The coordination and management of the project are handled by MARTE ARGE, with support from the consulting firm Erdyn.
The project officially began on 1 December 2024, following the signing of the Grant Agreement with the European Commission. A two-day kick-off meeting was held in Stockholm on 5–6 December, bringing together all participating stakeholders and consortium members.
Project MARTE is positioned within the broader context of Europe's ambition to strengthen its technological and industrial defense base through collaborative cross-border development, particularly in areas deemed critical to strategic autonomy.