Rheinmetall and AID sign Memorandum of Understanding to upgrade the MATS anti-tank mines in service with the Italian Army into MATS MK2

Rheinmetall’s Italian subsidiary RWM Italia S.p.A. and Agenzia Industrie Difesa (AID), a company belonging to the Italian Ministry of Defence, have signed on the 25th of February a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to upgrade and extend the service life of the anti-tank mines MATS already in the inventory of the Italian Army since many years.

The MATS is one of the best examples of Italian technology in the field: simple, reliable, affordable and durable. Nevertheless, today an upgrade is required in order to meet the recent standards and extend the service life.

AID and RWM Italia have joint forces to develop and test the MATS MK2: it will be an evolution of the current design to meet higher safety standards and increase combat effectiveness.

RWM Italia will assume the responsibility of Design Authority for the new MATS MK2. The upgrade of the several hundred of thousands of MATS in stock will take place at RWM Italia and AID following a lean and cost-effective process flow.

According to current plans, work is scheduled to begin within the next 12 months and it will provide new jobs at both RWM Italia S.p.A. and AID.

Fabio Sgarzi, Managing Director of RWM Italia S.p.A.: "We are grateful for the Italian Armed Forces‘ confidence in our capabilities and we are enthusiastic to cooperate with AID in this project. With the combat-enhanced MATS MK2, RWM Italia can contribute its expertise as a national centre of excellence for mines, sea mines, bombs, charges and warheads of all kinds."

Fiammetta Salmoni, General Director of Agenzia Industrie Difesa (AID): “This initiative in collaboration with RWM Italia S.p.A. represents a further important step in the reactivation of public Defence production capabilities that are strategic for the country. AID’s competencies and industrial assets will contribute to the successful implementation of this programme as part of the broader set of initiatives launched since my appointment as General Director”.