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The Italian Ministry of Defense has awarded the first supply contract for 21 A2CS combat armored vehicles to the Leonardo Rheinmetall Military Vehicles (LRMV) joint venture, marking the first milestone of Italy’s new Army Armored Combat System (A2CS) program.

The contract is part of a broader modernization plan aimed at renewing Italy’s heavy armored fleet. The first delivery is expected by the end of 2025.

The joint venture, owned 50% by Leonardo and 50% by Rheinmetall AG, represents a key step in European defense industrial cooperation, bringing together Italy’s and Germany’s largest defense manufacturers to develop a new generation of tracked combat vehicles.

The first five Lynx vehicles are expected to be delivered by late 2025, followed by the full batch of 21 by 2026. Leonardo’s newly developed 30mm X-Gun will also be mounted on select variants, further increasing the vehicle’s firepower.

Both companies have emphasized that this initial contract is only the beginning of a long-term production program, which will eventually see over 1,000 armored vehicles delivered to Italy’s armed forces over the coming decade.

The Leonardo-Rheinmetall partnership aims to strengthen Europe’s defense autonomy while equipping Italy with one of the most modern tracked vehicle fleets in NATO.

European Defense Cooperation

David Hoeder, Executive Chairman of Leonardo Rheinmetall Military Vehicles, described the contract as a landmark in European defense integration. “This first joint order following the decision to establish a joint venture between Rheinmetall and Leonardo is an important milestone,” he said.

“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 sovereignty,” he added.

Laurent Sissmann, CEO of LRMV, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the significance of the collaboration for Europe’s defense industry. “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 armored vehicles, able to operate in modern operational scenarios,” Sissmann said.

Fleet Composition and Future Upgrades

Under the terms of the contract, the 21 vehicles will include five Rheinmetall Lynx KF-41 Infantry Fighting Vehicles fitted with Lance turrets, followed by 16 newly configured vehicles built on the same Lynx chassis but integrated with Leonardo’s Hitfist 30mm turret.

The agreement also includes a provision to upgrade all units to the Leonardo Hitfist configuration at a later stage, as well as an option for an additional 30 vehicles. Leonardo and Rheinmetall will also supply training and simulation systems designed to prepare Italian Army crews for the new platforms.

The design merges Rheinmetall’s modular vehicle architecture with Leonardo’s advanced weapon and sensor technologies, providing high levels of protection, firepower, and situational awareness. These vehicles are described as fully digitalized, incorporating advanced communication and targeting systems that enable them to operate seamlessly in multi-domain operational environments.

Future Production

The new partnership builds on a broader Italian-German defense collaboration, which also includes an earlier $24 billion framework agreement to co-produce 272 Panther main battle tanks for Italy’s future armored fleet.

Both the Lynx and Panther programs are expected to be assembled in Italy, with Leonardo responsible for major subsystems and integration work.

According to the companies, the Lynx A2CS contract will generate significant industrial and technological benefits for both countries, strengthening Europe’s autonomous defense production capacity at a time of growing demand for next-generation armored vehicles.

The deal underscores Italy’s determination to expand its role in European defense production while maintaining strategic partnerships with Germany. Rome’s procurement plan aligns with broader European Union defense goals, which emphasize joint development and production to reduce reliance on non-EU suppliers.

1,050 Vehicle Modernization Plan

The A2CS program, previously known as the AICS (Armored Infantry Combat System), forms part of a larger Italian Army modernization initiative that aims to procure 1,050 armored combat vehicles.

Alongside the Main Battle Tank (MBT) program, it will replace the army’s aging Dardo and Ariete platforms, ensuring the Italian military maintains interoperability with NATO allies and the broader European defense architecture.

The A2CS fleet will include multiple variants of the Lynx, designed for five configurations performing 16 operational roles. These variants include the 120mm, 30mm, mortar, air defense, and non-turreted models, ensuring flexibility across a range of combat and support functions.

In addition to the Italian production, Rheinmetall will provide core systems and expertise from Germany, while Leonardo will integrate its C4I command systems, electro-optic sensors, radar, and communication suites, ensuring strong domestic participation and technology transfer.

Italy’s Armored Capabilities

The A2CS vehicles will bring enhanced mobility, modularity, and firepower to the Italian Army. Each platform is designed to support network-enabled operations, providing commanders with real-time battlefield awareness and improved interoperability with air, naval, and cyber assets.

The vehicles’ modular design also allows for rapid configuration changes, enabling the same chassis to serve multiple combat roles depending on mission requirements. The integration of Leonardo’s Hitfist 30mm turret and Rheinmetall’s Lance turret systems provides flexibility between direct combat and support variants.

Leonardo’s advanced training and simulation systems will accompany the new vehicles, ensuring Italian forces can operate them effectively under realistic conditions.