At the Eurosatory exhibition in Paris, S2M Equipment and KNDS France unveiled the Refurbot, a demonstrator vehicle that showcases the repurposing of legacy military hardware. The Refurbot is a modernized AMX-30 tank that has been converted into a drone ground vehicle utilizing the KNDS robotization kit, known as “TOXO.” S2M plans to exhibit this machine throughout the duration of the exhibition, which is scheduled from June 15 to June 19, 2026. The company presented the vehicle to illustrate a viable pathway for thousands of aging tank hulls that are currently stored or utilized by European armed forces, suggesting an alternative to scrapping the assets.
The AMX-30 itself has a significant history with French defense. Between 1966 and 1994, France manufactured 3,571 units of this model, which served as a primary component of the French armored forces for several decades. Each original tank was designed to accommodate a four-person crew and was initially equipped with a 105 mm main gun.
By integrating the advanced capabilities of the knds technology, S2M demonstrates how modern robotics can extend the operational life of historical armored platforms. This initiative addresses the growing challenge of managing surplus military equipment while maintaining functional, modern capabilities. The Refurbot thus represents a practical application of advanced robotics to sustain military assets through refurbishment rather than disposal.
Topics: #tank #knds #exhibition
