Italy Sets Sights on Multi-Billion Euro Tank and Vehicle Purchase from Germany

The Italian government plans to spend around 20 billion euros on Panther main battle tanks and Lynx armoured fighting vehicles from Germany's Rheinmetall. The purchase will include at least 350 Lynx vehicles and over 200 Panther tanks, to be completed over a 15-year period.

The Italian government is planning to buy Panther main battle tanks and Lynx armoured fighting vehicles from German defence group Rheinmetall for around 20 billion euros ($21.48 billion), Germany's Handelsblatt newspaper reported on Wednesday, citing industry sources. According to the plans, Italy intends to purchase at least 350 Lynx vehicles and over 200 Panther tanks in a order over a 15-year period, Handelsblatt reported.

Rheinmetall did not immediately comment on the report. ($1 = 0.9312 euros) (Writing by Miranda Murray, Editing by Rachel More)