Rome, 27 January 2026 – The Italian Army has formally launched its A2CS (Army Armoured Combat Systems) programme following the delivery of the first four Lynx infantry fighting vehicles by the Leonardo Rheinmetall Military Vehicles joint venture.

The handover took place at the Italian Army Multifunctional Experimentation Centre (Ce.Poli.Spe) in Montelibretti and marks the operational start of the A2CS programme. An initial contract for the acquisition of 21 new A2CS Combat vehicles was signed at the end of last year.

The delivery ceremony was attended by Italy’s Minister of Defence Guido Crosetto, Chief of the Defence Staff General Luciano Portolano, Chief of Staff of the Italian Army General Carmine Masiello, Chief Executive Officer of Leonardo Roberto Cingolani, and Dr Björn Bernhard, Head of Rheinmetall’s Vehicle System Division Europe. Also present were Laurent Sissmann, Chief Executive Officer of the joint venture, and David Hoeder, its Executive Chairman.

Minister of Defence Guido Crosetto said the delivery reflects the need for a defence capability that can adapt to a changing international environment, combining operational readiness, skilled personnel and advanced technology. He highlighted the role of Italian–German industrial cooperation in strengthening land systems and noted the importance of the Army’s Multifunctional Testing Centre in conducting technical evaluation and validation of vehicles, equipment and weapon systems for operational use.

Chief of Staff of the Italian Army General Carmine Masiello said the Army has defined clear requirements for the new vehicles as part of its mechanisation pathway, which formally begins with this delivery. He added that the Lynx platform will support future operational needs by providing soldiers with technology suited to evolving challenges and is expected to significantly influence how the Army conducts operations.

Roberto Cingolani, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of Leonardo, described the start of deliveries as a key milestone in the programme developed with the Italian Army. He said the partnership between Leonardo and Rheinmetall supports national defence objectives and contributes to building a competitive European industrial base.

Rheinmetall Chief Executive Officer Armin Papperger said the handover marks a new phase in the development of the Lynx vehicle family and underlines the role of European cooperation in next-generation armoured vehicle programmes.

The Lynx platform is designed to fulfil multiple roles, including infantry fighting vehicle, troop transport, mobile command post and ambulance. The four vehicles delivered are equipped with Rheinmetall’s Lance 30 mm turret, which will later be replaced by Leonardo’s Hitfist 30 mm turret. The Hitfist system will equip all remaining vehicles covered by the current contract.

The A2CS programme, formerly known as AICS (Armoured Infantry Combat System), together with the new Main Battle Tank programme, is intended to renew the Italian Army’s heavy vehicle fleet. The initiative focuses on advanced digitalisation, connectivity and the ability to operate in complex multidomain environments, while also offering potential benefits for international partner fleets.