The German armaments group Rheinmetall is positioning itself for a major order worth billions of euros from Italy for the delivery of hundreds of tanks and other armoured vehicles. The Düsseldorf-based company intends to set up a joint venture with the Italian armaments giant Leonardo. Both companies have now signed a letter of intent. Rheinmetall and Leonardo are two of the largest defence companies in Europe, with order books filled by the war in Ukraine and conflicts in other regions. The two companies will each hold a 50% stake in the joint venture, which will develop a main battle tank an…