Leonardo Rheinmetall Military Vehicles (LRMV) has delivered the first four Lynx KF-41 infantry fighting vehicles to the Italian Armed Forces at the Italian Army Multifunctional Experimentation Centre in Montelibretti, formally launching the Army Armoured Combat Systems A2CS programme.
The handover marked the first tangible milestone for the Italian German joint venture, established by Leonardo and Rheinmetall to deliver next generation land combat platforms to the Italian Army. The initial A2CS contract, signed at the end of 2024, covered the acquisition of 21 A2CS Combat vehicles.
The delivery ceremony was attended by Italy’s Minister of Defence Guido Crosetto, Chief of Staff of the Italian Army General Carmine Masiello, Leonardo Chief Executive Officer Roberto Cingolani, Rheinmetall Vehicle Systems Europe Head Dr Björn Bernhard, alongside LRMV Chief Executive Laurent Sissmann and Executive Chairman David Hoeder.
Industrial Collaboration
The Lynx KF-41 vehicles delivered were fitted with Rheinmetall’s Lance 30 mm turret. These will later be replaced by Leonardo’s Hitfist 30 mm turret, which is scheduled to equip the remaining 16 vehicles under the current contract. The configuration highlighted the industrial collaboration underpinning the programme and the planned progressive localisation of capability.
Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani said the start of deliveries represented “an important milestone in the programme we are carrying out with the Italian Army”, adding that the alliance with Rheinmetall had become “a key reference point for strengthening national defence and for the development of a solid, integrated and competitive European industrial base”.
From Rheinmetall’s perspective, the delivery was positioned as a strategic expansion of the Lynx platform’s European footprint. Chief Executive Officer Armin Papperger stated that the handover “opened a new chapter in the success story of the Lynx vehicle family”, describing the vehicle as setting new standards in versatility, protection, scalability and European armaments cooperation.
Multi Role Capability
The Lynx KF-41 platform was designed as a multi role system, capable of operating as an infantry fighting vehicle, troop carrier, command post or ambulance. Within the A2CS framework, it formed part of a broader modernisation effort alongside Italy’s future main battle tank programme.
The A2CS programme, originally designated AICS Armoured Infantry Combat System, was intended to renew the Italian Army’s heavy vehicle fleet with highly digitalised and networked platforms capable of operating in complex multi domain environments. LRMV stated that the programme also created export opportunities for international partners seeking to modernise their armoured fleets using a common European industrial base.
