The German-Italian joint venture Leonardo Rheinmetall Military Vehicles (LRMV) has received two orders worth a total of 3.7 billion euros for the future Italian main battle tank and infantry fighting vehicle. This was reported by Milan-based daily Milano Finanza on Thursday, citing financial circles. According to the report, the company is to deliver 30 main battle tanks and 48 infantry fighting vehicles. The successor to the current Ariete main battle tank is to be based on Rheinmetall’s KF51 Panther, and for the infantry fighting vehicle Dardo on the KF41 Lynx.
Last November, LRMV had already been commissioned to deliver the first lot of 21 infantry fighting vehicles under the Armoured Army Combat System (A2CS) program. These consisted of five Lynx with Rheinmetall’s Lance turret, followed by 16 newly configured vehicles that will be fitted with the same chassis and Leonardo’s 30-mm HitFist turret. The first four units were delivered at the end of January.
Leonardo Rheinmetall to renew Italy’s vehicle fleet
The agreement also included upgrading the entire fleet to the HitFist configuration, a comprehensive service package, training and simulation systems, and an optional 30 additional vehicles. The new order for 48 vehicles evidently goes beyond that. The A2CS program envisions the procurement of a total of 1,050 armored vehicles by 2040 and is to renew the Italian Army’s fleet of heavy vehicles in conjunction with the New Main Battle Tank program. In the latter, 380 main battle tanks are to be procured by 2037.
Rheinmetall AG and Leonardo SpA are co-owners of Leonardo Rheinmetall Military Vehicles (LRMV) with a 50/50 share, based in Rome and with its operational headquarters in La Spezia (northern Italy), which is responsible for the industrial development and subsequent marketing of the new main battle tank and the new armored vehicles for the A2CS. A 50/50 split of tasks was agreed for the joint venture. Sixty percent of the activities such as integration, qualification tests, delivery activities and logistical support, as well as shares of development and production, will take place in Italy.
