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At the Italian Army Multifuncional Experimentation Center (Ce.Poli.Spe) in Montelibretti, the Leonardo Rheinmetall Military Vehicles (LRMV) Joint Venture delivered to the Armed Forces the first four Lynx infantry fighting vehicles. This first delivery marks the official launch of the “A2CS” (Army Armoured Combat Systems) programme, for which an initial contract for the acquisition of 21 new “A2CS Combat” vehicles was signed at the end of last year.
The ceremony was held in the presence of the Minister of Defence, Guido Crosetto, Chief of the Defence Staff, General Luciano Portolano, the Chief of Staff of the Italian Army, General Carmine Masiello, the Chief Executive Officer of Leonardo, Roberto Cingolani, and Dr. Björn Bernhard, Head of Rheinmetall’s Vehicle System Division Europe. Also present were the CEO, Laurent Sissmann and the Executive Chairman of the Joint Venture, David Hoeder.
The Minister of Defence, Guido Crosetto, stated: “The international scenario requires a constantly evolving Defence, capable of ensuring the security of the country and safeguarding national interests. This calls for a modern, flexible and credible model, based on high levels of operational readiness, qualified personnel and advanced technological capabilities. Within this framework comes the delivery of the Lynx armored vehicle, the result of Italian-German industrial cooperation, to the Italian Army, aimed at strengthening land systems through the introduction of state-of-the-art platforms. In this process, the Army’s Multifunctional Testing Center (CEPOLISPE) plays a central role, ensuring the testing and technical evaluation of vehicles, equipment and weapon systems to determine their suitability for operational use.”
“The Army has a clear direction and well-defined requirements for the new vehicles to accelerate the ‘mechanization’ path of the Armed Force, which concretely begins today. After 30 years in which the Italian soldier has demonstrated courage, commitment, determination and professionalism in peace support operations — to the point of coining the ‘Italian Way’ of peacekeeping — we have no doubts about their capabilities. They will be able to operate at their best if equipped with technology that meets the challenges ahead: this vehicle will radically change the way the Army fights”, stated the Chief of Staff of the Italian Army, Gen. C.A. Carmine Masiello, at the presentation of the A2CS “Lynx”.
Roberto Cingolani, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of Leonardo, stated:
“The start of deliveries of the new armoured vehicles represents an important milestone in the programme we are carrying out with the Italian Army. The international alliance between Leonardo and Rheinmetall continues to stand as a key reference point for strengthening national defence and for the development of a solid, integrated and competitive European industrial base. This is a commitment we consider essential to ensuring national and European security and strategic autonomy.”
Armin Papperger, Rheinmetall Chief Executive Officer stated: “With the handover of the first armoured vehicles to the Italian armed forces, we are opening a new chapter in the success story of the Lynx vehicle family. As a next-generation combat vehicle, Lynx not only sets standards in terms of versatility, protection, effectiveness, scalability and future-proofing, but also in terms of enhanced European armaments cooperation.”
The Lynx platform is capable of fulfilling multiple roles, including infantry fighting vehicle, troop transport, mobile command post and ambulance. The four vehicles delivered today complement Rheinmetall's Lance 30mm turret, which will later be replaced by Leonardo's Hitfist 30mm turret. The latter will equip all the other armoured vehicles of this contract.
The A2CS programme – Army Armoured Combat System, originally named AICS – Armoured Infantry Combat System together with the new Main Battle Tank programme will renew the Italian Army’s heavy vehicle fleet, providing cutting edge technology, characterised by high levels of digitalisation and connectivity, and capable of operating within the most complex multidomain contexts. This collaboration will also provide an opportunity for the renewal of the armoured fleets of international partners.
About Leonardo
Leonardo (leonardo.com) is an international industrial group, among the main global companies in Aerospace, Defence, and Security (AD&S). With 60,000 employees worldwide, the company approaches global security through the Helicopters, Electronics, Aeronautics, Cyber & Security and Space sectors, and is a partner on the most important international programmes such as Eurofighter, JSF, NH-90, FREMM, GCAP, and Eurodrone. Leonardo has significant production capabilities in Italy, the UK, Poland, and the USA. Leonardo utilises its subsidiaries, joint ventures, and shareholdings, which include Leonardo DRS (71.4%), MBDA (25%), ATR (50%), Hensoldt (22.8%), Telespazio (67%), Thales Alenia Space (33%), and Avio (19.3%). Listed on the Milan Stock Exchange (LDO), in 2024 Leonardo recorded new orders for €20.9 billion, with an order book of €44.2 billion and consolidated revenues of €17.8 billion. Included in the MIB ESG index, the company has also been part of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) since 2010.
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