David Hoeder, Executive Chairman of JV Leonardo Rheinmetall Military Vehicles: "This first joint order following the decision to establish a joint venture between Rheinmetall and Leonardo is an important milestone. It brings the two companies, as well as two of Europe’s largest countries closer together. Cooperation is not optional anymore – it is the very essence of our European strategic sovereignity."

Laurent Sissmann, CEO of JV Leonardo Rheinmetall Military Vehicles, stated: “We are pleased to announce this first step of the industrial synergy between Leonardo and Rheinmetall. We will work side by side to provide cutting-edge armoured vehicles, able to operate in modern operational scenarios.”

Leonardo and Rheinmetall will supply 21 tracked armoured vehicles for the Italian Army, 5 of which are Rheinmetall’s Lynx KF-41 with the Lance turret followed by 16 newly configured vehicles equipped with the same chassis and Leonardo’s Hitfist 30mm turret. The agreement also includes upgrading the whole fleet to the latter configuration, as well as including an additional 30 optional vehicles, and training and simulation systems to better train crews. These are fully digitalized latest generation vehicles based on merger of the best technologies on the market and capable of acting interoperably in a multi-domain context.

The supply falls within the scope of the A2CS – Army Armoured Combat System programme, originally called AICS – Armoured Infantry Combat System, which involves the total acquisition of 1.050 armoured combat vehicles and which, together with the Main Battle Tank programme, will renew Italian Army’s heavy vehicles fleet.

Note to editors:

The joint venture between Leonardo and Rheinmetall has the aim of establishing a new European leader for the development and production of military combat vehicles in Europe. Rheinmetall AG and Leonardo SpA will be equal shareholders (50% each) of the new company Leonardo Rheinmetall Military Vehicles (LRMV) which has its registered office in Rome, operational headquarters in La Spezia (North of Italy) and is responsible for the industrial development and subsequent marketing of the new Main Battle Tank (MBT) and the new Army Armored Combat System (A2CS) vehicles.

A 50:50 work breakdown was agreed for the joint venture. A 50:50 work breakdown was agreed for the joint venture. 60% of the activities, i.e. integration, approval testing, delivery activities and logistical support, but also parts of production and development, will take place in Italy.