Leonardo-Rheinmetall JV wins first Italian Army contract for 21 A2CS vehicles based on Lynx KF41

5 November 2025 – Leonardo Rheinmetall Military Vehicles, a new European joint venture, has secured its first order from the Italian Army to deliver 21 Army Armoured Combat System (A2CS) vehicles. The vehicles, based on Rheinmetall’s Lynx KF41 infantry fighting vehicle, form part of Italy’s wider programme to procure more than 1,000 armoured tanks and replace its ageing VCC-80 Dardo and M113 fleets.

Contract scope and configuration

The JV, established a year ago, will supply an initial batch of A2CS platforms configured to meet different mission requirements using the Lynx KF41 baseline chassis. Under the first order of 21 vehicles:

• 5 units will be fitted with Rheinmetall’s optionally crewed Lance turret (medium calibre).
• 16 units will feature Leonardo’s Hitfist two-person turret.

Both turret options deliver mobile protected firepower and are armed with 30-millimetre guns. The selection of the Hitfist emphasizes Italy’s sovereign capability and prioritizes local production alongside the next-generation German systems.

Modularity to counter evolving threats

With the Lynx KF41 as a modular base, the Italian Army can integrate different turret systems and mission packages as needed. The Ministry of Defence has underscored modularity as a key requirement to address what it called “heterogeneous and unpredictable threats”: from explosive ordnance, anti-tank weapons, direct or indirect fire and air support fire, to drones, kamikaze drones or loitering munitions, and the new space/cyber domains.

The agreement also includes the option to upgrade the entire fleet to the Hitfist configuration, plus an additional 30 optional vehicles, alongside training and simulation systems to enhance crew readiness.

Industrial partnership and local content

Leonardo Rheinmetall Military Vehicles positions Italy to leverage European industrial cooperation while retaining sovereign control over key subsystems. The JV’s first award advances domestic production goals under the A2CS programme and supports the replacement of decades-old tracked platforms across the Army’s mechanised units.

Wider armour recapitalisation: KF51 Panther to replace C1 Ariete

In parallel with A2CS, the Italian Army will introduce KF51 Panther main battle tanks-also a Rheinmetall platform-to operate alongside the new combat vehicles. The KF51 will replace the enduring C1 Ariete MBTs. This decision follows the collapse in 2024 of talks on an Italian version of the Leopard 2A8.

Key programme highlights

• 21 A2CS vehicles ordered, based on the Lynx KF41 chassis.
• Turret mix: 5 Lance (optionally crewed) and 16 Hitfist (two-person) with 30mm armament.
• Option to upgrade fleet to Hitfist configuration.
• 30 optional vehicles plus training and simulation deliverables.
• Part of Italy’s plan to procure more than 1,000 armoured tanks and replace VCC-80 Dardo and M113.
• KF51 Panther MBTs to replace C1 Ariete, following 2024 end to Leopard 2A8 talks.

What’s next

The award marks a milestone for the Leonardo-Rheinmetall joint venture and Italy’s land forces modernisation. While delivery timelines were not disclosed, the contract’s optional 30 vehicles, fleet-wide Hitfist upgrade path, and integrated training systems signal a scalable approach to equipping the Italian Army for rapidly evolving, multi-domain threats.