ROME — Italy plans to buy 133 new German-made Leopard tanks and upgrade 125 of its aging Ariete tanks as the war in Ukraine brings high-intensity land warfare back to Europe.
Announcing the plan in parliament, Italian Defense Minister Isabella Rauti said Italy wanted the Leopard 2 A8 main battle tank and upgraded the Arietes to achieve a “radical and significant” improvement in its ground capabilities as the conflict in Ukraine makes the tanks combat once again “fundamental”. war.
Italy has 200 domestic Ariete tanks of which only 50 are still operational. Rauti told parliament that the country needs more than 250 tanks to meet NATO requirements. Four billion euros ($4.49 billion) would be budgeted for the new markets from 2024, for a total expenditure of eight billion euros, he said, adding that the plan would need approval from parliament before it could take effect.
Rauti did not quantify the number of Leopards to be purchased, but a source familiar with the plan said 133 of the Krauss-Maffei Wegmann-built tanks are needed. Four billion euros would cover that acquisition between 2024 and 2037, with further funds to be spent on other Leopard variants, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak.
Upgrading the 125 Arietes would cost around 900 million euros, extending their life to 2034, the source added. Speaking to the defense committee of the Italian lower house of parliament, Rauti said the Leopards purchase would not preclude Italy from entering the planned Franco-German Main Ground Combat System (MGCS).
Acquiring the German tank would help Italy engage more closely with German industry and would substantially facilitate Italian involvement in the MGCS program, he added. Italy also hopes to replace its aging Dardo combat vehicles, with Germany’s Rheinmetall introducing the her Lynx combat vehicle.
Tom Kington is Defense News’ Italy correspondent.
Read the original at Defence247.gr
