ROME (Agencies): Italy’s defense giant, Leonardo, and Germany’s Rheinmetall have signed a strategic partnership to jointly develop a Main Battle Tank (MBT) and the Lynx Platform for the Armoured Infantry Combat System (AICS).
The agreement aims to enhance Italy’s land defenses and strengthen cooperation between the two nations. The joint venture will be headquartered in Italy, with Italy handling 60% of assembling, testing, and logistics support. Leonardo will produce electronics suites and manage weapons integration to meet the requirements of the Italian army.
The estimated value of the deal is 20 billion euros ($21.6 billion), and implementation is expected to take approximately 10 years.
This collaboration underscores the commitment to advancing defense capabilities and fostering technological cooperation in Europe.