Italy Boosts Military Power with Leopard Combat Tanks and Ariete Upgrades

Italy plans to purchase 133 new German-built Leopard tanks and upgrade 125 of its aging Ariete tanks in order to enhance its land capabilities amid the Ukraine conflict. The country currently has 200 Ariete tanks, of which only 50 are operational. The purchase of the Leopard tanks, along with the upgrade of the Arietes, is estimated to cost around 8 billion euros. Italy aims to meet NATO requirements for more than 250 battle tanks and hopes that the acquisition will facilitate its involvement in the Franco-German Main Ground Combat System initiative.