LRMV

Leonardo and Rheinmetall have announced a joint venture aimed at developing and producing advanced military combat vehicles. The partnership, named Leonardo Rheinmetall Military Vehicles (LRMV), will focus on creating new main battle tanks (MBTs) and infantry fighting vehicles for the Italian Army, while also pursuing international markets. The joint venture, split evenly between Leonardo S.p.A. and Rheinmetall AG, will have its legal headquarters in Rome and operational headquarters in La Spezia, Italy. The formal establishment of the company is expected by the first quarter of 2025, pending regulatory approvals. The primary focus of LRMV will be on developing Italy's next-generation MBT, based on Rheinmetall’s Panther KF51, which is set to replace the Italian Army’s aging Ariete tanks. Additionally, the joint venture will work on the Armoured Infantry Combat System (AICS) program, which will include over 1,000 armored vehicles in 16 different configurations. This platform will be based on the Rheinmetall Lynx infantry fighting vehicle, which will serve as the foundation for various roles, including anti-aircraft, reconnaissance, and anti-tank operations. Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG, highlighted the significance of the partnership: “We are creating a new heavyweight in European tank production. Leonardo and Rheinmetall, two leading European suppliers of defense technology, are joining forces to carry out ambitious projects. We are primarily addressing the Italian market, but we will also be targeting other partner nations which are in need of modernizing their combat systems in the future. Rheinmetall has the perfect technologies for Italy’s requirements.” Roberto Cingolani, CEO of Leonardo, also expressed optimism for the venture: “This is a significant step towards the creation of a European defense system based on specialized shared platforms. Rheinmetall and Leonardo aim at developing state-of-the-art technologies able to compete at the international level.” The development of the Italian AICS program, as well as the new MBT, is part of a broader modernization effort within the Italian military. The vehicles will feature a modular design, offering flexibility in battlefield roles, while maintaining a high level of technological sophistication. For the joint venture, labor will be split 50:50, with 60% of the work carried out in Italy, including final assembly, testing, and logistics. With this partnership, Leonardo and Rheinmetall are positioning themselves to become key players in the European and global defense markets. Rheinmetall already has a strong presence in Italy, employing 1,500 personnel across five sites with annual sales totaling €1 billion.

LRMV

TRENDING NOW

Russia unveils updated ‘Wagner’s wagon’ armored vehicle

South Korea offers UAE key role in KF-21 fighter program

Ukrainian drones hit Russian Iskander missile brigade bases

India’s artillery offer shakes global market

Washington approves sale of Eitan engines to Israel