The June 2, Republic Day parade marked the debut of new military assets for Italian Defense: the Lynx KF41 tank, the result of a joint venture with Germany's Rheinmetall, and the AH-249 Phoenix combat helicopter. The latter, designed and developed by Leonardo, is intended to gradually replace the long-established AH-129 Mangusta (Mongoose). The helicopter, which integrates advanced digitization and connectivity technologies, is equipped with a flexible weapon system that includes 70-millimeter rockets, air-to-air infrared guided missiles and 20-millimeter radio frequency or fiber-optic guided air-to-ground missiles. It was chosen to close the aerial formation of 22 helicopters that flew over Rome before the Frecce Tricolori display, the most anticipated moment of the parade. Along with the Phoenix, it debuted the Lynx KF41, the result of the Leonardo Rheinmetall Military Vehicles 50-50 joint venture. It is a new generation tracked armored vehicle intended to replace the Dardo and Ariete armored vehicles.