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Archive for the ‘Armoured Vehicles’ Category

Leonardo and Rheinmetall: First Contract to Supply Armoured Vehicles for the Italian Army

Thursday, November 6th, 2025

The temporary grouping of companies Leonardo and Rheinmentall, as part of the Leonardo Rheinmetall Military Vehicles Joint Venture (50% Leonardo and 50% Rheinmetall AG), was awarded the first supply contract for 21 vehicles “A2CS Combat” for the Italian Army. The delivery of the first vehicle is expected by the end of 2025.

David Hoeder, Executive Chairman of JV Leonardo Rheinmetall Military Vehicles: “This first joint order following the decision to establish a joint venture between Rheinmetall and Leonardo is an important milestone. It brings the two companies, as well as two of Europe’s largest countries closer together. Cooperation is not optional anymore – it is the very essence of our European strategic sovereignity.”

Laurent Sissmann, CEO of JV Leonardo Rheinmetall Military Vehicles, stated: “We are pleased to announce this first step of the industrial synergy between Leonardo and Rheinmetall. We will work side by side to provide cutting-edge armoured vehicles, able to operate in modern operational scenarios.”

Leonardo and Rheinmetall will supply 21 tracked armoured vehicles for the Italian Army, 5 of which are Rheinmetall’s Lynx KF-41 with the Lance turret followed by 16 newly configured vehicles equipped with the same chassis and Leonardo’s Hitfist 30mm turret. The agreement also includes upgrading the whole fleet to the latter configuration, as well as including an additional 30 optional vehicles, and training and simulation systems to better train crews. These are fully digitalized latest generation vehicles based on merger of the best technologies on the market and capable of acting interoperably in a multi-domain context.

The supply falls within the scope of the A2CS – Army Armoured Combat System programme, originally called AICS – Armoured Infantry Combat System, which involves the total acquisition of 1.050 armoured combat vehicles and which, together with the Main Battle Tank programme, will renew Italian Army’s heavy vehicles fleet.

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American Rheinmetall Awarded $31M Contract to Support Bradley Damage Assessment and Repair Efforts

Friday, October 31st, 2025

American Rheinmetall has been awarded a contract valued at $31M (26,6 MioEUR) to support a Rapid Damage Assessment and Repair Demonstration for the U.S. Army and Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF). Under this 18-month contract, awarded by the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences, Inc. (NCMS), American Rheinmetall will develop and demonstrate advanced damage assessment and repair processes by establishing a forward-deployed maintenance capability, for assessing and repairing damaged or broken Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV) closer to operational areas.

EJK59M U.S. Army soldier from the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division pulls security next to a M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle during Decisive Action rotation 13-03, Jan. 19, 2013, at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif. Decisive Action rotations are geared toward an adaptive enemy in a complex environment. Sgt. Eric M. Garland II

Program Overview

The demonstration will use the Bradley IFV as a surrogate platform to validate a Rapid Damage Assessment and Repair (DAR) Team trained and equipped with advanced processes, tools, and a responsive supply chain ecosystem. The initiative aims to bridge the gap between battlefield damage and full depot-level repair by enabling rapid, efficient restoration of combat effectiveness until new parts or dedicated repair teams arrive.

Once developed, this program will validate a scalable approach to establishing remote damage assessment and repair sites capable of operating in hazardous or harsh environments. The outcome will reduce downtime, improve readiness, and strengthen resilience across heavy equipment and infrastructure.

Strengthening Allied Readiness
The Rapid Damage Assessment and Repair Demonstration supports U.S. foreign assistance efforts by helping the Armed Forces of Ukraine return Bradley IFVs to operational status amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.

“This contract underscores American Rheinmetall’s commitment to delivering innovative, mission-critical products and services that support the highest priority operational capabilities for the U.S. military and its allies,” said Matt Warnick, Chief Executive Officer, American Rheinmetall. “By bringing advanced repair capabilities closer to the point of need, we are helping ensure that vital equipment like the Bradley Fighting Vehicle can return to service quickly and safely at a time of crucial need for Ukrainian armed forces.”

The project is scheduled for completion in March 2027, with delivery of the first repaired Bradley IFVs expected at that time.

About Rheinmetall in the U.S.
The Rheinmetall family of U.S. companies includes American Rheinmetall in Auburn Hills, MI (HQ), Biddeford, ME, Lansing, MI, Lapeer, MI, Plymouth, MI, and St. Marys, OH, American Rheinmetall Munitions in Camden, AR, Texarkana, TX (Expal USA), Vienna, VA (HQ), and Windham, ME, and U.S. corporate parent American Rheinmetall Defense in Vienna, VA.
www.rheinmetall-us.com 

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NP Aerospace Launches Their Upgraded Toyota Land Cruiser LC300 Armoured Vehicle

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025

NP Aerospace, the global vehicle integrator and armour manufacturer, has announced the launch of their upgraded armoured Toyota Land Cruiser LC300 vehicle. NP Aerospace acquired the IP for this product, along with certain other assets of Jankel Armouring Limited from Administration, in 2024.

Since then, NP Aerospace has applied their acclaimed vehicle engineering and integration, production and supply chain skill sets to this vehicle and is now launching it as a significantly refined and upgraded NP Aerospace platform. This announcement coincides with the Civilian Armoured Vehicle (CAV) Forum taking place in Geneva, 21-23 October 2025.

Delivering unprecedented levels of protection, functionality and reliability based upon many years of user feedback, the NP Aerospace LC300 is already being sought after and contracted by a multitude of global defence ministries and Non-Government Organisations (NGO’s). Having qualified the LC300 to the latest Edition 3 of the international VPAM BRV and ERV (VR7) standards as well as PAS 300 ballistic and blast and PAS 301 vehicle performance criteria, NP Aerospace has ensured the platform provides optimum protection and remains road-legal for NATO and European-based NGO customers, maximising the export potential to wider international user groups. The vehicle was the very first to be certified to VPAM VR7 BRV and ERV with a 2m side blast with a third row of seats in accordance with Edition 3 which uses biofidelic dummies, to understand the true impacts to the vehicle occupants.

The LC300 has been designed with a bolt in armour solution, delivering efficiency during the assembly process, electrical systems modularity, and unique patented technologies to provide customers with a 10-year service life. In recent months, the NP team has been delivering a range of structural upgrades to account for increased vehicle mass and payload, such as double cab and extended chassis variants. In addition, NP Aerospace has also integrated complex communications systems to meet a range of customer needs.

Throughout this process, NP Aerospace has further refined the vehicle design and the production practices to optimise the vehicle and bring it up to the very best standards in terms of capability, production efficiency, quality and through life supportability. To achieve this, the team in Coventry has been expanded. In July 2025 NP Aerospace launched the CAV support capability offering, to ensure that the very best support services can be delivered to current customers but also to expand that proven service offering across the global fleets. Potential new CAV support clients range from ministries of defence to NGO’s, and individual vehicle fleets are widely spread in terms of deployed geography. This service is offered with the LC 300 armoured platform.

David Petheram, MD & SVP, NP Aerospace Vehicle Systems, Services and Spares said: “our newly upgraded armoured LC300 is based on the vehicle we inherited as a result of our acquisition of certain assets of Jankel Armouring Ltd last year. Since then, we’ve further enhanced and refined the platform, adding in the NP Aerospace DNA, as we have responded to complex customer requirements. Specifically, our integration, production and supply chain skill sets have been applied to this project to optimise the benefits to the procurer, the fleet manager and the user. What we now have is a better platform when viewed from all perspectives and we’re pleased to be able to offer it to global markets. The Civilian Armoured Vehicle (CAV) market offers great growth potential and is a significant area of focus for us as we continue to expand our team.”

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222 Jackals (Schakal) for Germany and the Netherlands – order value at €3.4 billion

Tuesday, October 21st, 2025

The European defense organization OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en Matière d’Armement) has commissioned Artec GmbH to deliver a total of 222 Schakal infantry fighting vehicles to the armed forces of Germany and the Netherlands. This new combat vehicle combines the chassis of the Boxer wheeled armoured vehicle with the turret of the tracked Puma infantry fighting vehicle. The main contractor for the Boxer is Artec GmbH, a joint venture between Rheinmetall and KNDS Germany. 150 Schakal vehicles are to be delivered to the German Armed Forces and 72 to the Dutch Army.

The total order for the German and Dutch armies is worth €3.41 billion gross, with Rheinmetall’s share amounting to almost €3 billion. The contract also includes a logistics package containing spare parts, training materials, and specialised tools. Furthermore, it covers optional additional services such as protection against anti-tank hand weapons, firing attack detection and firing attack identification as well as drone defence. The call-off of up to 248 additional vehicles is also included as an option.

Within the German Armed Forces, the Schakal armoured infantry fighting vehicle, consisting of the 8×8 Boxer platform and the 30mm Puma turret with Rheinmetall’s MK 30-2/ABM machine gun, is the main weapon system for the Army’s newly established medium forces. The new armoured personnel carrier combines mobility, protection and firepower to the highest degree. This enables the medium forces to cover large distances at own pace within the shortest possible time. The 30mm turret allows a wide variety of targets to be effectively combated in dynamic combat situations.

Artec GmbH, a 64:36 joint venture between Rheinmetall and KNDS, is also to be the future main contractor for the RCH 155 (Remote Controlled Howitzer 155 Millimeter), yet another combination of the proven drive module of the Boxer wheeled armoured vehicle and equipped with the weapon system of the Panzerhaubitze PzH 2000. 

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