Italy proposes £6.95bn acquisition of 132 Leopard 2A8 tanks to bolster local industry
Reports of Italy's intentions to purchase 250 vehicles, 133 of which will be Leopard 2 tanks, first surfaced in the second half of 2023. Currently, the finalisation of the contract appears to be approaching.
We now have more in-depth details about the contract and the configuration of the Leopard 2A8 tanks, which are set to supplement the revamped C1 Ariete. This 14-year contract for acquiring the Leopard 2 tanks is projected to set Italy back by approximately £6.95 billion. However, it will involve significant production in La Spezia, thus greatly benefiting the local industry.
The Italian version of the Leopard 2A8 tank will feature particular distinctions, including the use of a fire control system, a development of the Leonardo consortium used in the updated C1 Ariete tanks and the Centauro II wheeled fire support vehicle.
Leopard 2A8 tanks - the zenith of European armoured engineering
The Leopard 2A8 tanks represent the peak of European armoured engineering. What sets them apart from their predecessors is integration with an advanced Israeli active defence mechanism, the Rafael Trophy, which is also utilised in the latest American M1A2 Abrams tank models.
The Rafael Trophy system comprises radars fitted onto the tank's turret and counter-missile launchers, specifically designed to physically annihilate incoming objects, whether anti-tank missiles or cumulative warhead ammunition in circulation.
Integration with the Rafael Trophy system is of enormous significance, given that tanks, constrained by weight limitations, generally have their most formidable armour at the front. In contrast, the side and rear armour are significantly weaker. Anti-tank system operators and drone pilots frequently exploit this vulnerability, as has been commonly noted in Ukraine.
Furthermore, the A8 variant boasts the latest optics, electronics, communication systems, and fortified turret roof for enhanced protection against cluster weapons. A solution akin to the Igelpanzerung mats was likely employed here, commonly found in the Puma infantry fighting vehicles and the PzH 2000 howitzers.
Due to these upgrades, the Leopard 2A8 tank is now fully equipped to handle the rigours of a modern battlefield, providing adequate defence for several decades.
