The stated value is €5,143,208,394.40, although no production contract has been signed. The source article suggests that the figure covers the full programme, while media reports in August put the possible cost of its first phase at €3.42 billion.
The full amount could cover development, the start of production and deliveries of 132 Nuovo Main Battle Tanks, or NMBTs, and 140 support vehicles on the same chassis, according to the article. Those quantities remain estimates rather than details of a confirmed order.
The NMBT prepared by the Leonardo Rheinmetall Military Vehicles joint venture debuted at Eurosatory 2026. Italy intends the new tanks to replace some Ariete vehicles and serve alongside upgraded Ariete C2s.
The article expects between 90 and 128 Ariete C2s to remain in service, compared with an Ariete fleet of about 200 tanks today. Retaining the upper end of that range and acquiring 132 NMBTs would bring the fleet to roughly 260 tanks by around 2035.
An Italian order would be the first production contract for the KF51 Panther; existing agreements have covered development of its base and Hungarian EVO versions. Despite earlier expectations of a tank contract in 2025, the only order placed so far under Italy’s broader armoured-vehicle modernisation programme is for A2CS Lynx ITA infantry fighting vehicles.
