DUSSELDORF (Reuters) - Rheinmetall expects orders worth up to 25 billion euros ($27.27 billion) from the Italian government for its joint tank-building venture with defence manufacturer Leonardo, the German defence group's CEO said on Thursday.

"The first order for the joint venture should be awarded either at the end of the year or in the first quarter of 2025," Rheinmetall chief executive Armin Papperger said in a conference call following the company's quarterly results.

"We are talking about 20 to 25 billion euros, the latest status is 24 billion euros, but this has not yet been finalised," he added.

($1 = 0.9168 euros)

(Reporting by Matthias Inverardi, Writing by Rachel More, Editing by Miranad Murray)