The Italian army has its first four Lynx received infantry fighting vehicles, with which it A2CS armored combat systems program is officially launched, led by the Leonardo-Rheinmetall joint venture.
According to Leonardo became the first four Lynx vehicles delivered to the Italian Army on January 27 at the Multifunctional Experiment Center (Ce.Poli.Spe) in Montelibretti by the Leonardo Rheinmetall Military Vehicles joint venture.
The handover ceremony was attended by the Italian Minister of Defense, Guido Crosettothe Chief of Defense Staff, General Luciano Portolanothe Chief of the Italian Army Staff, Carmine Masiellothe CEO of Leonardo, Roberto Cingolaniand the head of Rheinmetall Vehicle Systems Europe, Björn Bernhard.
This delivery officially launched it Army Armoured Combat Systems (A2CS) program, through which Italy plans to purchase a new generation of armored fighting vehicles for its land forces.
The initial contract, signed at the end of 2025, covers 21 A2CS combat vehicles, with further acquisition phases expected as the Italian Army modernizes its heavy motorized fleet.
The Italian Ministry of Defense stated that the program aims to modernize land combat capabilities through the introduction of a digitally integrated armored platform developed through Italian-German industrial cooperation.
“The international situation requires a constantly evolving defense policy, capable of ensuring the country’s security and protecting its national interests,” Crosetto said at the ceremony.
“In this context comes the delivery of the armored vehicle Lynxthe result of Italian-German industrial cooperation, to the Italian Army, with the aim of strengthening land systems through the introduction of latest generation platforms.”
Of Lynx vehicles delivered last week will now be subject to testing and evaluation Ce.Poli.Spe before entering operational service with the Italian Army.
The four vehicles delivered are equipped with the Rheinmetall Lance 30mm tower, which will later be replaced by the Leonardo Hitfist 30mm tower on all subsequent production vehicles, reflecting Italy’s intention to integrate indigenous subsystems into the fleet.
Photo: Leonardo. This content was created using AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
