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.
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