Italy is taking steps to buy “Leopard 2” tanks from Germany

Isabella Rautin, the Defense Minister of Italy reports:  "Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks have once again shown that tanks are the most important element of the war in the Ukrainian conflict." We will acquire Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks and upgrade our Ariete tanks to achieve a radical and significant improvement in our army's ground capabilities."

The Italian army has 200 "Ariete" tanks of its own production, 50 of which are active. Although the number of "Leopards" to be purchased has not been officially announced, "Defense Post" noted that Italy wants to buy 133 tanks. It is estimated that the Leopard 2A8 tanks, which are expected to be delivered between 2024 and 2037, will cost approximately 4 billion euros, and the upgrade of 125 Ariete tanks will cost 900 million euros.