At the International Armoured Vehicles 2025 in Farnborough, the Italian Ministry of Defence confirmed its intention to completely modernize its armoured forces. However, the planned procurement volume is significantly larger than originally envisaged.
The first step of the project is to replace the ageing Ariete C1 and C2 main battle tanks with a fleet of new KF51 Panthers. The Rheinmetall-model only exists as a concept vehicle (-> Rheinmetall presents its new Panther). In December 2023, Hungary awarded a development contract worth around 288 million euros to enable the construction and qualification of a demonstrator for series production.
The Italian Ministry of Defence is now planning an “Italianization” of the KF51 concept in order to adapt it to national operational requirements. This also includes support vehicles on the same platform. The plan is to procure up to 380 new tanks. A specific budget has not yet been named, but is likely to be in excess of ten billion euros. It is to be built by the 50:50 joint venture founded last summer by Rheinmetall and between Rheinmetall and Leonardo.
The second part of the program comprises the procurement of around 1,050 KF41 Lynx infantry fighting vehicles (-> Video). A total of 16 different variants are to be developed and produced, including infantry fighting vehicles, command vehicles, self-propelled mortars (120 millimetre and 81 millimetre), anti-tank missile carriers, artillery reconnaissance vehicles, artillery command vehicles, medical evacuation vehicles and technical support and recovery vehicles.
The total costs for the KF41 program are estimated at 16 billion euros. During the procurement phase, the project including KF51 is likely to grow to a total volume of over 30 billion euros. Originally, a good eight billion euros were plannedbut for a significantly smaller number of units.
Here for further news from Rheinmetall and here to further news about Leonardo.
