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The procurement of 16 versions of the A2CS worth EUR16 billion (USD16.65 billion) is planned, including IFV; infantry, cavalry, 120 mm, and advanced combat reconnaissance; command post; fire support; joint fire support; anti-tank; 81 mm and 120 mm mortar vehicles; air defence; combat engineer vehicles; ammunition carriers; casevac (casualty evacuation); and drivetrain vehicles.

Confirming the numbers of the A2CS programme which will be heavily based on the Lynx platform, a total of 1,050 being the target, Mr. Sissmann said that it will adopt a phased approach. “Phase 1 is the Urgent Operational Requirement and includes five Lynx that will come in the Hungarian configuration with human-machine interfaces and manuals translated in Italian. These will then be retrofitted with the Leonardo HITFIST 30 turret, while 11 gap-filler Lynx will be produced with that same turret already installed.”

This will be followed by the AICS Phase I, that will include development of the prototypes in all the 16 variants required by the Italian Army, the development of the SIL Lab static demonstrator to be used mainly for integration purposes, and that of six prototypes to be used in the validation and verification process. The next phase will see the launch of serial production and deliveries, and the finalisation of the latest R&D activities. Phase II will see the acquisition of the series contract for all 16 variants and verification and validation residual activities.

After describing the vehicle technical details, which are well known to EDR On-Line readers, the two LRMV representatives unveiled that the first five vehicles for Italy are already in production at Rheinmetall’s plant in Unterlüß, the process having started in late 2024, soon after the signature of the agreement between the two companies on October 15th, 2024. The first Lynx aimed to Italy will then be delivered in Q3/Q4 2025, UOR vehicles, as previously said, being in the Hungarian configuration to be then retrofitted, while the 11+ gap-fillers will follow in 2026. These will not only feature the HITFIST 30 turret but will also be fitted with Leonardo C2D/N EVO C4I system and with the company communications suite.

Five main variants of the AICS will be produced, based on the Lynx modular chassis and all featuring the Leonardo C4I system, overall covering 16 different roles. The five are the IFV with the 30 mm turret, armed with the new Leonardo 30×173 mm X-Gun, the light tank with the 120 mm turret, the air defence variant, possibly with the Skyranger 30 turret, which is also of interest of Hungary, the mortar turret, the Italian Army apparently going for a turreted mortar, and a non-turreted version.

Considering the Lynx equipped with the HITFACT 120 turret, Rheinmetall will provide crew operators stations, the UGV launching device, dismount stations, the common chassis, radio system interface, guidance and navigation systems, laser and radar warning systems, passive and active protection, and IT systems. As for Leonardo, it will provide the turret, mast and radar, navigation system, radio system interface, the HITROLE 50 RCWS with its crew stations, the road assessment LIDAR, the C2 operator station, passive protection, as well as the Link 16/BMS interface. Similar workshare will be adopted on other variants.

theoderich hat geschrieben: ↑Fr 29. Okt 2021, 01:07

Italy is considering using a European Union loan deal to pay for new tanks and armored vehicles supplied by Germany’s Rheinmetall, a source has told Defense News.

The money for Lynx vehicles and Panther tanks would come from cheap so-called SAFE loans organized by the EU to help member states beef up their military strength as Russia threatens the bloc’s Eastern border.

The subject came up in Rome on Monday when Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban paid a visit to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

“The two leaders discussed the opportunities offered by the European SAFE scheme, evaluating possible synergies between Italy and Hungary to support their respective industrial and technological capabilities,” Meloni’s office said after the meeting.

The two countries already have one procurement program, and one potential program in common. The first is the Lynx tracked armored vehicle developed by Rheinmetall, which Italy and Hungary are buying, assembling and adapting.

The second is Rheinmetall’s new Panther main battle tank. Italy is set to purchase 272, while Hungary signed a deal with Rheinmetall in 2023 to team on development and production of the tank.

An Italian defense source who spoke on condition of anonymity told Defense News that Italy’s purchases of the two platforms were candidates to be supported by SAFE loan cash.

Leonardo and Rheinmetall will supply 21 tracked armoured vehicles for the Italian Army, 5 of which are Rheinmetall's Lynx KF-41 with the Lance turret followed by 16 newly configured vehicles equipped with the same chassis and Leonardo's Hitfist 30mm turret. The agreement also includes upgrading the whole fleet to the latter configuration, as well as including an additional 30 optional vehicles, and training and simulation systems to better train crews.