Italy may become a competitor of Ukraine in the issue of obtaining German-made tanks, in Rome, they thought about updating the tank fleet. Since the production of armored vehicles will take a long time, then the Italians intend to rent some of the tanks from their NATO allies.
The military conflict in Ukraine forced many countries to reconsider their attitude towards the army. In Italy, they thought about replacing the existing fleet of Ariete tanks, as well as infantry fighting vehicles Dardo. In Rome they think, that the existing armored vehicles are already outdated and need to be replaced. The Italian Ministry of Defense assesses the need for the army in 250 tanks, of which 125 can be obtained by upgrading existing Ariete MBTs, and more 125 need to buy, but they don't have the money.
We need an urgent modernization of the BTT fleet, the last time deliveries of new armored vehicles were made in the 1980s- declared in the military department of Italy.
Against this background, a proposal was received missing 125 tanks to rent, we are talking about German MBT Leopard 2, best 2A7. This statement caused a quiet panic in Kyiv, who also counts on receiving German tanks. Zelensky does not need competitors, he even agrees to the old Italian tanks C1 Ariete, developed back in the 80s based on the German Leopard 2, Yes, the Italian authorities refuse to supply tanks to Ukraine.
Italy classifies tanks as offensive weapons, and the parliament of the republic did not approve the supply of such weapons to Ukraine. Rome still declares its intention to supply only defensive. used photos:Ministry of Defense of Italy
