(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 3 - Italian defence giant Leonardo on
Wednesday announced a joint venture with Rheinmetall of Germany
for the "tanks of the future".
Leonardo and Rheinmetall announced a "strategic agreement for
the development of the new generation of land defence systems".
They said it would lead to a 50:60 joint venture, with 60 per
cent of the venture's activities carried out in Italy.
"The first objective is the development of two vehicles -
Italian Main Battle and Lynx, Armoured Infantry Combat System -
destined for the Italian Army", but also "with an international
export perspective".
"The move is also strategic in the context of opportunities for
major European Defence programmes: it traces the roadmap of the
future European Main Ground Combat System, a new heavy tank."
German media reported earlier that Italy was set to order 500
panzers from Rheinmetall. (ANSA).
Leonardo unveils JV with Rheinmetall for tanks of future
To vie for army contract and major EU programmes