The Italian Ministry of Defence has confirmed its intention to purchase up to 380 new tanks and over 1,000 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) as part of two major procurement programmes.
The first programme is aimed at replacing the outdated C1 and C2 Ariete tanks with a new fleet based on the KF51 Panther. These vehicles will undergo extensive modifications to adapt to Italian operational requirements, a process referred to as 'Italianisation'. The programme will also include support vehicles built on the KF51 platform. Although the exact budget for this initiative has not been disclosed, it is estimated that it will exceed EUR 10 billion.
Il secondo programma prevede l’acquisizione di circa 1.050 veicoli da combattimento per la fanteria (IFV), con specifiche più dettagliate già delineate. Questi mezzi saranno basati sul KF41 Lynx e sviluppati in 16 varianti diverse, tra cui veicoli da combattimento per la fanteria, mezzi di comando, mortai semoventi (da 120 mm e 81 mm), veicoli portamissili anticarro, unità per la ricognizione d’artiglieria e veicoli di supporto all’ingegneria militare.
Additional variants are also planned to meet specific battlefield requirements, including command vehicles for artillery, air defence systems and reconnaissance vehicles for cavalry, infantry and fire support. The programme will also include medical evacuation vehicles, refuelling units and technical recovery vehicles. The total cost of this initiative is estimated at around EUR 16 billion.
Taken together, the two programmes represent a significant investment in Italy's defence capabilities, with a total projected cost exceeding EUR 30 billion in the acquisition phase.
Source Defence Industry Europe