Italy's 20 Billion Euro Defense Upgrade: Panther Tanks and Lynx Vehicles

The Italian government plans to spend around 20 billion euros on purchasing Panther main battle tanks and Lynx armoured fighting vehicles from German defence group Rheinmetall. Italy will acquire at least 350 Lynx vehicles and over 200 Panther tanks over 15 years, according to industry sources.

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 deny the report when approached for comment by Reuters and said it would comment in due course.

($1 = 0.9312 euros)