On December 30, 2024, Rheinmetall delivered a prototype of the KF41 Lynx infantry fighting vehicle to the Italian army for a series of tests, which will take place at a testing ground near Rome with the participation of Italian military personnel and representatives from the defense conglomerate Leonardo.
These tests will mark the first step towards Italy's plan, valued at over 20 billion euros, to acquire more than 1,000 new infantry fighting vehicles and nearly 300 tanks from Rheinmetall, as reported by Defense News.
It is noted that during the planned tests, Italian specialists will evaluate the mobility, protection, firepower, and degree of operational compatibility of the KF41 Lynx before finalizing orders for such IFVs.
It appears that the Italians intend to procure the armored vehicles from Rheinmetall in several "tranches." The first contract for the KF41 Lynx IFVs for the Italian army, estimated at around 0.5 billion euros, is expected to be signed in mid-2025, with a total procurement volume of 1,050 infantry fighting vehicles amounting to a total cost of 15 billion euros.
Notably, the KF41 Lynx provided for testing by the Italian army was actually rented from the Hungarian army, which is currently the sole user of this type of IFV.
At the same time, it is anticipated that the KF41 Lynx for the Italian army will be produced within a joint venture, which Leonardo and Rheinmetall plan to announce in January 2025, with the Italian side responsible for manufacturing the armaments and electronics for the IFVs.
Regarding Italy's plans to procure tanks from Rheinmetall, there is an intention to acquire 280 KF51 Panther tanks as part of an order estimated at 8 billion euros. The contract for the first batch of this type of vehicle is expected to be signed in 2025, with the first delivery anticipated in 2-3 years.
Earlier, Defense Express reported that the Italians want to replace part of their self-propelled howitzers FH70 with the RCH 155 SPH, and that Italy has also ordered Eurofighter, but they decided not to disclose the price due to its steepness.