Italy’s Ministry of Defence announced that it has launched the procurement process for new-generation main battle tanks (NMBT), valued at €5.14 billion, along with special-purpose vehicles to be developed on the tanks common platform…
Under the program, approximately 132 new tanks are planned to be procured, with completion scheduled for 2038.
Through the program, known as the NMBT (New Main Battle Tank), Italy aims to modernize its heavy armored vehicle fleet.
Developed by Leonardo Rheinmetall Military Vehicles (LRMV), the NMBT platform is intended to replace the C1 Ariete tanks currently in service with the Italian Army.
The tank is planned to be equipped with a 120 mm L55 gun, an autoloader, and a remote weapon station fitted with a 12.7 mm machine gun and a 30×113 mm cannon, while the use of loitering munitions and UAVs is also envisaged.
Weighing approximately 69.5 tons, the NMBT is expected to reach a maximum speed of 70 km/h and a range of 450 km, and is planned to feature active protection systems in addition to passive armor.
Italy’s procurement will represent the first series-production contract for the KF51 Panther family, and the tank’s final production configuration is still under development…