We’ll see, but even in theory if Germany doesnt go for it, Italy can still get the 1600hp engine one way or another. They already had a different one planned for the Ariete AMV program so they have something to fall back on if they really want that engine.
About the Leopard, from the most recent rapporto esercito.
This doesn’t really work like that. KMW had to redesign the engine bay of the Leopard 2A6 EX to fit in the MB 883, which is quite similar to the 873 in terms of its general layout. For Italy to have something to fall back on, they’d have to buy the 883 and contract KMW to build their 2A8 hulls with 2A6EX’s engine compartment design (extra costs).
Basically everything here relies on what Germany does, and so far they’re on track for either uprating the MB 873 to 1630hp, or straight up equipping 2A8s with the EPP (1630 from the start).
Says who? The 2A8 will be modified with Italian tech so if they really want they can do it, will it be practical? Argueably no, but its not something to rule out completely especially when theres still some uncertainties in regards to the 2a8.
The logic & costs of such an operation. You don’t honestly think that fitting a new powerpack, especially one that was never designed with the Leopard 2 chassis in mind is something easy & cost-effective, right?
The 2A8 will be modified with Italian tech so if they really want they can do it, will it be practical?
Yes, FCS, sights (thermal) & BMS. I don’t consider the local production of the L/55 as “Italian tech”. Everything else will be in the same standard as the German 2A8s, just produced under license in Italy.
Argueably no, but its not something to rule out completely especially when theres still some uncertainties in regards to the 2a8.
It can absolutely be ruled out if Germany decides it’s not needed, because then every country will have to pay extra for those new features. The type of engine absolutely depends on what the Bundeswehr & KMW cook up, and so far they’re planning on the 1630hp engine variant (hence why I find the hp output that the Italians claim to be strange, probably just rounded up.
Again, i never said it was practical. My point was that it should not be ruled out.
The L/55 will be modified, or at the very least they plan to modify it.
Disagree, i guess we will both have to wait since its speculation.
@x_Shini So it looks like that maiby in future istead of the 2A8IT we could have the KF51IT, even tought nothing was confirmed for now.
Intresting, yeah definitly could happen.
Rheinmetall is known to be open to relocate factories etc. Just like with already the joxer and kf41
Wouldnt say i would mind either. In terms for war thunder it means the 2a8 stays a bit more german exclusive. While there is KF51 variants even germany can get
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Possibly because there is a huge order backlog for the Leopard 2A8
No it’s because KDNS is not whilling to let leonardo open a 2a8 facility in Italy even tought that was the main point of this contract. This project also aimed to grand to Italy a place in the MGCS programme, another promise that revelaed to be false.
Lets hope it will work with the KF51, else italian future might lool grimm
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I have my doubts that MGCS will ever see the light of day. Trying to get France and Germany to agree on something is like oil and water.
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My Disappointment is Immeasurable and My Day is Ruined.
Meme aside that is a really bad news.
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@x_Shini so it appears to be KDNS’s fault as they were giving 0 tech share to Italy and 0 modification possibility (that reconfirm the previous claims by Leoanrdo) despite theyr claims (they claimed that leonardo was trying to destroy Leopard standard design wich is a pretty stupid claim). it looks like there won’t be any cooperation regarding the A2CS programme (New IFV). We will have to wait until eurosatory for understand more.
Eh italys decision is understandable, but at the same time we were sceptical about it in the first place as well.
We will see how it ends with the Kf51, but rheinmetall is known to be more flexible all things considered.
Add to this that rheinmetall offered italy the Kf41 as well and i could see a deal being made with italy under the requirement to get kf41 as well
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But i doubt we will see amything at the eurosatory.
The whole thing is to new
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Would be nice if Italy goes a different way (distancing from Germany XD) and purchases a license for K2, making something like Turkish Altay, but Italian.
Or maybe Leonardo could make a heavy variant of Hitfact mk.2 for tank combat)
PS I’ve always been skeptical about plans…
Yeah probably we won’t see any prototoypes but the Italian journal RID said that there Will be clarifications regarding wich tank a d Ifv Will be chosed.
Yeah If the buy an Italianized version of KF51 the the same Will happen with KF41.
And if you look at what the US is doing to the KF41 (XM30) i bet you can customise as you wanna