On February 21, 2023, the Defense Committee of the Italian Chamber of Deputies approved the purchase of German Leopard 2 tanks. Nino Minardo, the President of the Defense Committee, declared, “This is a very important vote, as it will effectively enable the initiation of a comprehensive multi-year program to renew the Army’s armored component. Such renewal has become imperative due to the obsolescence of existing systems and the evolving requirements of NATO, shaped by recent international developments.” According to information from the website “ANALISIDIFESA,” the specific version of the Leopard 2 tank could be the Leopard 2A8.
The Leopard 2A8 acquisition program is expected to last a total of 14 years (until 2037) and is divided into two phases: the first phase (2024-2026) for substantial preparation, while the second phase (2027-2037) will see the actual acquisition of 132 Leopard 2A8 tanks. These tanks are intended to form two tank regiments and up to 140 derived armored platforms to equip units of heavy, medium, and light brigades, all engineering regiments, and logistic regiments of the Army, as well as training institutes.
The Leopard 2A8, a recent advancement in the Leopard tank series, marks a significant upgrade over its predecessors, with its development efforts becoming more prominent in the early 21st century. This version embodies substantial improvements in armor protection, firepower, and technology integration. Compared to earlier models, the Leopard 2A8 features enhanced composite armor, including modular armor that can be easily upgraded to counter emerging threats. Its firepower is bolstered by an advanced 120mm smoothbore gun capable of firing a wider range of ammunition, coupled with improved targeting and fire control systems that ensure higher accuracy and lethality.