Rome / Amsterdam, 13 December 2023 17:30 Inside Information
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 2 A8. The Companies will collaborate in the development, manufacturing
and maintenance of the LEOPARD 2 A8 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.