Under the auspices of the Italian Ministry of Defense, Leonardo and KNDS have signed an agreement for further development of a more intensive cooperation. The aim is to create a truly European Defense Group and, in addition, to cooperate more closely in the field of land-based electronics. Such a strategic alliance will enable the implementation of programs in cooperation among European nations, by strengthening their national industrial base and developing the future generation of armored vehicle platforms, including Main Ground Combat System (MGCS). This alliance supports the strategy defined by the Italian MoD in the Documento Programmatico Difesa 2023-2025 and in the Action Plan of the Agreement recently signed by the Governments of Italy and Germany.
In addition, Leonardo and KNDS have also signed an Agreement to jointly implement the planned Main Battle Tank (MBT) procurement programme with a solution based on Leopard 2A8. The Companies will collaborate in the development, manufacturing and maintenance of the Leopard 2A8 solution for the Italian Army, as well as the support platforms. The alliance between Leonardo and KNDS aims to create further production and development capabilities in Italy and to use these for future European and export projects. The Italian Ministry of Defence is currently working on two major programs for the renewal of its Land Forces: firstly, the procurement of the Leopard MBT with support vehicles and, secondly, new Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV) under the programme name AICS plus combat support systems.
To replace the 18 Leopard 2A6 tanks handed over to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the German Ministry of Defence is expected to purchase a batch of at least 18 Leopard 2A8 tanks (with option for several hundred). The Leopard 2A8 will be based on the current Leopard 2A7HU production model but feature additional improvements; among them the integration of the Trophy APS and an all-round situational awareness system with sensor-fusion capability. The Dutch MoD is planning on procuring up to 52 Leopard 2A8 tanks in addition to their 18 leased Leopard 2A6 tanks. This planned acquisition is part of the nation’s effort to rebuild their army after severe budget cuts of the 21st century. The Czech Ministry of Defense is negotiating with Germany the purchase of 70-77 Leopard 2A8, including domestic manufacturing rights for aspects of the tank production.
The main Ground Combat System (MGCS) is a project launched in 2017 by Germany and France, aiming to replace their current Leopard 2 and Leclerc main battle tanks. Coordinated by Germany, in contrast to the other major Franco-German program launched in 2018 (the Future Combat Air System implemented under French lead), the MGCS will not be a single armoured fighting vehicle but a series of systems conceived around said vehicle. It is to be developed and manufactured by KNDS (a holding company founded in 2015 by German arms producer KMW and the French defence firm Nexter Systems) and Rheinmetall, which joined the project in 2019. The first production unit is expected to roll off the assembly line in 2035
