Italy is expected to come up with a design for a new €5 billion ($5.4 billion) armored fighting vehicle program by the end of the year after choosing European partners. The A2CS program aims to build 1,050 tracked vehicles to replace aging Dardo vehicles, making it Europe’s largest land warfare program. The industry grouping is expected to have a design ready for the Army by Christmas.
Candidates for the program include French-German alliance KNDS, Germany’s Rheinmetall, and BAE Systems Hägglunds. Planners intend to order the vehicle in 16 configurations, with prototypes expected by 2027 or 2028, and deliveries between 2029 and 2041.
Italy’s Leonardo signed a cooperation deal with KNDS for the Main Ground Combat System battle tank program. Italy’s involvement in this program may be at risk due to recent announcements closing the project company to other shareholders for now. Alessandro Marrone of Rome think tank IAI voiced concerns about Italy being left behind.
To strengthen its position, Italy could become a participant in the KNDS venture by acquiring IDV from Iveco. This move could create a partnership similar to European missile house MDBA. Leonardo’s bid to buy IDV was turned down, complicating Italy’s efforts to secure a stronger foothold in the European defense industry.
