Italy to Buy 1,000 Lynx Combat Vehicles, Up to 380 Panther Tanks

Lynx Infantry Fighting VehicleLynx Infantry Fighting Vehicle

Rheinmetall's Lynx Infantry Fighting Vehicle. Image: Rheinmetall Defence

Italy has affirmed its plan to acquire over 1,000 KF41 Lynx infantry fighting vehicles and up to 380 KF51 Panther main battle tanks from Rheinmetall.

Revealed at a convention in England, the project will invest approximately 16 billion euros ($16.6 billion) in the Lynx systems and about 10 billion euros ($10.4 billion) in the Panthers.

Army Recognition reported that Rome’s Lynx procurement will encompass 1,050 vehicles in 16 variants including the base combat model, anti-tank missile carrier, artillery reconnaissance, self-propelled mortars, and engineering support configurations.

Additional variants expected from this package include those with air defense, medical evacuation, technical recovery, and resupply roles.

Meanwhile, the Panther deal stipulates up to 380 units that will be fitted with Italian military-compliant solutions.

Some of the vehicles under this tranche will be modified into support vehicles.

Panther KF51Panther KF51
Panther KF51. Image: Rheinmetall Defence

Investment Cap at $31 Billion

The Italian defense agency first revealed in 2024 that the program would be the “largest-ever contract” for the German industry partner.

During that time, Rome was expected to set aside around 20 billion euros ($20.8 billion) for its fleet expansion over a 15-year period. First estimates included only 350 Lynx vehicles and 200 Panther tanks.

In the latest update, Italy said that the entire acquisition’s budget with options exercised will not exceed 30 billion euros ($31.2 billion).

The KF41 Lynx and KF51 Panther Systems

The Lynx is an 8-meter (26-foot) system equipped with either 30 or 35-millimeter autocannons as well as light machine guns, smoke grenade and aerial drone launchers, and anti-tank guided missiles.

It is powered by a diesel engine with up to 1,100 horsepower for a top speed of 70 kilometers (43 miles) per hour and a range of 500 kilometers (311 miles).

The Panther is a 10-meter (33-foot) tank fitted with reconfigurable protective armor, a 130-millimeter smoothbore cannon main weapon, 12.7-millimeter machine guns, a 7.62-millimeter remote-controlled weapon station, and loitering munitions.

It is powered by a 1,100-horsepower engine for speeds up to 70 kilometers (43 miles) per hour and a range similar to the Lynx.

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