Italy will invest $8.7bn to buy German modernised Leopard 2A8 tanks from 2024 onwards

Italy will renew its tank fleet thanks to German Leopard 2A8s. This is stated in the budget document, which was published with a delay of six months. It also indicates plans to spend $1bn on M142 HIMARS systems.

Here's What We Know

In the summer of 2023, it was reported that the Italian Ministry of Defence was negotiating the purchase of Leopard 2 A7/A8 tanks. At the time, a potential deal worth $4.4-6.6bn was reported.

The new budget document confirms Italy's intention to purchase the German tanks. More than $100 million will be allocated for the purchase of Leopard 2A8s in 2024. By 2037, the amount will increase by about 40 times. Eventually, Italy is ready to spend $8.7bn.

The purchase of Leopard 2A8 does not exclude Italy's participation in the Main Ground Combat System programme. This is a German-French project that will result in a new generation European tank. Returning to Italy, it is worth noting that it intends to purchase 133 new tanks to meet NATO requirements.

Source: Defence News