Italy has yet to buy a Leopard 2A8, but already sees a replacement for the most modern German tanks in the MGCS fighting vehicle, which will be able to serve until the 2070s

Italy is ready to enter into a project to develop a new European tank. The programme is called Main Gun Combat Systems (MGCS).

Here's What We Know

At the beginning of the summer we learnt about Italy's plans to buy Leopard 2A7/A8 tanks. In addition, last month, Deputy Defence Minister Isabella Rauti officially confirmed that Rome wants to order Leopard 2A7+. However, Italy is looking much further into the future.

The MGSC is a programme led by France and Germany. The prospective tank may get support for artificial intelligence, drones and will be characterised by high mobility.

The Leonardo company may join the project. The prospective European tank could become a replacement for the Leopard 2 and Ariete. The new combat vehicle is expected to serve until the 2070s.

The programme, which is headed by the Franco-German holding KNDS (Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Nexter) has stalled. It is possible that the involvement of Italy, represented by Leonardo, will breathe new life into the MGCS project.

For Italy, this could be the second major programme after the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), where work is underway on one of two European sixth-generation fighters with Japan and the UK. France, Germany and Spain are working on the second aircraft.