Italy is in advanced talks to buy upgraded German Leopard 2A7 / A8 tanks for $4.4-6.6bn

Italy is preparing to buy German A7/A8 level Leopard 2 tanks as part of a modernisation programme for its armed forces. According to local newspaper Rivista Italiana Difesa, negotiations are at an advanced stage.

Here's What We Know

The Italian Ministry of Defence is negotiating the purchase of the tanks with KNDS, a joint venture between France's Nexter Systems and Germany's Krauss-Maffei Wegmann. The deal is expected to be worth between €4 billion and €6 billion ($4.4 billion to $6.6 billion).

The number of combat vehicles has not yet been specified. For understanding, Germany will spend €2.9 billion ($3.1 billion) to buy 123 Leopard 2A8 tanks. In early spring 2023 it was reported that Italy was willing to purchase 250 Leopard 2s.

It is also worth noting that the Italian Ministry of Defence stated that it wanted to replace the C.1 Ariete that is in service with the ground forces. The European country was planning to purchase at least 125 new tanks for this purpose.

Source: RID
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