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Italy to purchase 1,050 German-made Rheinmetall Lynx armored vehicles under €16 billion A2CS program.
As reported by Jon Hawkes on January 21, 2025, Italy provided additional details about its Army Armoured Combat System (A2CS) program during the Defence IQ International Armoured Vehicles (IAV) conference, held in Farnborough, UK. This initiative aims to establish a new armored brigade within five years, using Rheinmetall's Lynx fighting vehicle as its foundation. The program includes the procurement of 1,050 armored vehicles in 16 variants, each designed to meet diverse operational requirements across multiple domains.
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To date, the Lynx stands as one of the most advanced armored fighting vehicles available on the market, as its modularity allows a complete reconfiguration between various roles, such as switching between an IFV and a command vehicle, in approximately eight hours. (Picture source: Army Recognition)
The A2CS program seeks to replace Italy's aging fleet of VCC-80 Dardo infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), which were designed in the 1980s. Prototypes of the new A2CS vehicles are planned for development between 2026 and 2029. These vehicles are intended for various roles, including infantry transport, command posts, air defense, anti-tank operations, 120mm mortar carriers, reconnaissance, combat engineering, and logistic support. Key aspects of the program include modular designs, scalable armor, open architecture, and interoperability with unmanned systems.
The financial aspect of the A2CS is significant, with Italy’s defense budget initially allocating €5.2 billion over 14 years for the program. The total budget is now projected to rise to €16 billion. Major General Francesco Olla emphasized the importance of partnerships, noting that no single European nation can afford such a complex program independently. Meanwhile, Rheinmetall Italia's CEO Alessandro Ercolani highlighted the advantages of the Lynx’s modular features and cautioned that developing a vehicle from scratch could delay the program by five to seven years.
In early 2025, Rheinmetall loaned a Lynx KF41 tracked vehicle to the Italian Army for testing at Montelibretti near Rome. This precedes a potential €500 million contract for an initial batch of vehicles expected by mid-2025. Testing will focus on the vehicle's mobility, protection, firepower, and interoperability. Rheinmetall has offered full technology transfer and design authority for the Lynx platform, supporting Italy’s goal of local production and future variant development. The inclusion of Italian-made ITAR-free systems, such as the X-GUN turret under development by Leonardo, could enhance the A2CS program’s appeal in international markets. This turret, designed for platforms like the Hitfist 30 UL and Lionfish 30, is expected to provide cost-effective solutions for countering drone threats while adhering to NATO standards.
Leonardo’s joint venture with Iveco, known as CIO, plays a key role in the program. Iveco signed a preliminary agreement with Leonardo to supply engines, transmissions, and potentially protective elements for both the A2CS vehicles and the Panther-based I-MBT (Italian Main Battle Tank). This collaboration is part of the Leonardo Rheinmetall Military Vehicles joint venture. Other contenders include KNDS, which has proposed working with Leonardo on a new design or offering a tracked version of the Boxer vehicle. The program’s partnerships extend beyond the A2CS initiative, as the Leonardo and KNDS strategic alliance signed in December 2024 also covers discussions about future Leopard tank orders and collaboration on the Main Ground Combat System.

The Lynx's protection could be further augmented with Rheinmetall’s Strike Shield active protection system and defensive aids such as smoke dischargers, laser warning, and acoustic shot locators. (Picture source: Army Recognition)
To date, the Lynx stands as one of the most advanced armored fighting vehicles available on the market. Developed by the German company Rheinmetall Landsysteme as a private initiative, it is designed to meet modern operational requirements. Its modularity allows a complete reconfiguration between various roles, such as switching between an IFV and a command vehicle, in approximately eight hours. The Lynx family includes two main variants: the KF31, first introduced at Eurosatory 2016 as a versatile infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), and the KF41, introduced in 2018, featuring a larger size, increased firepower, and greater payload capacity compared to its predecessor.
The Lynx's ballistic steel armor provides resistance against anti-tank weapons, medium-caliber ammunition, and artillery shrapnel. Interior safety is enhanced by a spall liner, decoupled seats, and a double-floor system for mine and IED protection. The vehicle's protection can be further augmented with Rheinmetall’s Strike Shield active protection system and defensive aids such as smoke dischargers, laser warning, and acoustic shot locators. Depending on the mission, the Lynx can be fitted with specialized armor kits, including configurations optimized for urban environments or air transport, ensuring it remains adaptable and survivable in varying operational contexts. The Lance turret can integrate automated target recognition and tracking systems, with armament options including a 30 mm or 35 mm autocannon, coaxial machine guns, and anti-tank guided missile launchers.
Hungary is the first operator, ordering 218 KF41 vehicles, with a portion produced domestically under a joint venture. Ukraine began producing the Lynx KF41 in late 2024, with deliveries starting for field testing. Other countries considering or acquiring the Lynx include Greece, Italy, Poland, and Romania, with various offers involving local manufacturing and technology transfer. In the United States, the Lynx KF41 is competing in the XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle program for potential production and service by 2029, with total production expected to reach approximately 3,800 units.