The Leclerc tank (Char Leclerc) is a main battle tank (MBT) built by GIAT, now Nexter of France. It was named in honour of General Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque, who led the French element of the drive towards Paris while in command of the Free French 2nd Armoured Division (2e DB) in World War II. The designation AMX-56 – while very popular – is not used officially. The Leclerc is in service with the French Army and the United Arab Emirates Army. In production since 1991, the Leclerc entered