December 13 marked a momentous event as Leonardo and KNDS [KMW+Nexter Defense System, a leading Franco-German team in the world of land systems and armored vehicles] established a strategic alliance. The occasion befell in Segredifesa, to additional industrial collaboration inside the floor sector.
The partnership inked out by the highest executives, Roberto Chingolani of Leonardo and Frank Haun of KNDS, underlines an bold plan rooted within the backing of the Italian Ministry of Protection. The signing ceremony befell on the Segredifesa, reflecting the concerned events’ strategic alignment. This joint endeavor’s final purpose is to determine a main European protection group whereas concurrently enhancing collaboration inside the floor electronics sector. Undoubtedly, it suggests a important development in direction of consolidating the protection business, particularly the bottom sector.
This settlement performs a essential function in fortifying the heavy element of the EI by means of new packages similar to Leopard 2, AICS, and plenty of extra, as stipulated by the Ministry of Protection. Undersigned by each the Italian and German governments in late November, it’s a part of an motion plan between these two international locations. The first goals are to facilitate cooperative packages and to bolster their particular person industrial bases.
The first intention is multifaceted: Firstly, to foster the evolution of future floor platforms like the brand new European tank, often called the Most important Floor Fight System [MGCS]. Secondly, to amplify our nation’s manufacturing and developmental capabilities for future European and export utilization. Moreover, a cooperation settlement has been inked between Leonardo and KNDS in regards to the Leopard 2A8 procurement program on behalf of Italy.
These two firms are slated to forge a partnership within the design, construct, and maintenance of the Leopard 2A8 for the Italian Army, each within the similar “fight” variant and in distinctive variations of the identical platform, particularly bridge, restoration, and engineering.
It has been reported that roughly 300 such machines exist, inclusive of fight MBTs and distinctive variants. As per RID, we must always anticipate an “Italianized” tank, probably dubbed Leopard 2A8 IT, which means an MBT outfitted with a fireplace management system, communication and command gear, and probably turret parts, all designed by Leonardo [developments stemming from the Centauro II and Ariete C-2 initiatives].
Within the agreements finalized on December 13, it’s implied, although not overtly acknowledged, that the brand new Armored Infantry Fight System [AICS]—the Italian Army’s newest household of tracked infantry autos—will doubtless be included.
It’s price noting that this deal seemingly includes the German section of KNDS [or KNDS-GE if we prefer, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann], the Leopard 2 design entity that was additionally instantly embroiled in previous AICS debates. This inference is additional supported by the quotation of the Italian-German motion plan signed in November final 12 months.
After all, being an settlement that encompasses an entity like KNDS, which additionally incorporates the “French half” [Nexter], it not directly brings France into the combination. That is anticipated to bolster the continuation of European consolidation within the land sector of the protection business.
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