Italian defense firm Leonardo has officially revealed its newly developed 120mm L55 smoothbore tank gun, boasting superior performance features including a higher muzzle velocity and extended operational range compared to earlier versions. The L55, fully self-funded by the company, incorporates a proprietary “self-forcing process” that enables increased round throughput.
An evolution of Leonardo’s earlier 120mm L44 and L45 systems, the L55 features an extended barrel and structural enhancements to handle elevated stress levels during firing. According to European Defence Review, the L55 weighs 500 kilograms more than the L45 and delivers approximately 5% more muzzle velocity, translating to greater firepower and reach.
The cannon is designed primarily for integration into the next-generation Panther KF51 main battle tank, a collaborative project between Leonardo and Rheinmetall. The Italian Army will receive 82 KF51 units fitted with the Leonardo L55, while the German variant will utilize Rheinmetall’s L55A1.
Beyond the KF51, the L55 is compatible with other Italian tracked platforms, including the ARIETE C2 main battle tank and the AICS-120, Italy’s version of the Lynx KF41 armored vehicle. Due to its powerful recoil, the L55 is exclusively intended for tracked combat vehicles.
