Italy Launches A2CS With First Lynx KF41 Infantry Fighting Vehicles
The Italian Army has received its first four Lynx KF41 infantry fighting vehicles under the new Army Armoured Combat Systems (A2CS) programme, with the delivery marking a key step in modernising its armoured fleet. The handover took place on January 27 2026 at the Italian Army Multifunctional Experimentation Centre in Montelibretti, northeast of Rome, and was carried out by the Leonardo Rheinmetall Military Vehicles joint venture (LRMV).
Ceremony Signals Start of A2CS Programme
The delivery formally kicks off the Italian Army’s A2CS programme. An initial contract signed in late 2025 covers 21 A2CS Combat vehicles, of which these first four are part. Officials from the Italian Ministry of Defence, Army leadership, and executives from Leonardo and Rheinmetall attended the ceremony.
The Lynx KF41 IFVs delivered so far are based on the tracked Lynx family platform. These vehicles are regarded as next-generation armoured fighting vehicles designed to bring modularity, connectivity, and increased protection to mechanised infantry units. Future deliveries will include vehicles with Italian Hitfist 30mm turrets as the programme progresses.
What the A2CS Programme Means for Italian Land Forces
The A2CS initiative aims to replace older infantry fighting vehicles in Italian service and build a digitally integrated armoured combat fleet. Over time it is expected to encompass a broad family of vehicles derived from the Lynx chassis and tailored for roles including command, reconnaissance, and support variants under a unified system of systems concept.
Italian Army leadership has framed the programme as essential for future operational requirements. Army Chief of Staff General Carmine Masiello said the vehicles will accelerate the mechanisation of the force and “change the way the army fights.”
Industrial Cooperation and Strategic Fit
LRMV is a 50/50 venture between Italy’s Leonardo and Germany’s Rheinmetall. The joint venture serves as prime contractor for the Lynx deliveries and broader A2CS effort. Industry leaders at the ceremony highlighted the cooperation as part of strengthening capability and sustaining Europe’s defence industrial base.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});The Lynx platform’s adaptability and modularity are central to the programme’s ambitions. Early vehicles are outfitted with the Rheinmetall Lance turret, with subsequent vehicles planned to receive Leonardo’s Hitfist turret and integrated systems that boost networked command and control.
Testing and Next Steps
The four vehicles delivered under this phase will undergo tests and evaluations at CEPOLISPE, the Italian Army’s multifunctional testing centre, to assess their operational suitability. These results will guide further deliveries and integration into Italian mechanised units.
Planned deliveries under the initial contract are expected to continue through 2026. The broader A2CS vision extends well beyond this first batch, with intentions to build out a substantial fleet of armoured vehicles that reflect modern battlefield demands and mission sets.
