Italian army plans to purchase 50 Centauro 2 120mm 8x8 MGS Mobile Gun Systems 11610162

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Defence & Security News - Italy
 
Italian army plans to purchase 50 Centauro 2 120mm 8x8 MGS Mobile Gun Systems
According the website DefenseNews, the Italian army has submitted a purchase plan to the Italian parliament to acquire new combat vehicles Centauro 2 and updated version of its A-129 Mangusta helicopter.
     
According the website DefenseNews, The Italian army has submitted a purchase plan to the Italian parliament to acquire new combat vehicles Centauro 2 and updated version of its A-129 Mangusta helicopter. Centauro 2 8x8 MGS 120mm Mobile Gun System at Eurosatory 2016, International Defense Exhibition in Paris, France, June 12, 2016.
     

Following an official documents submitted to the Italian parliament, which have been seen by Defense News. Italian army could purchase a first batch of 50 Centauro 2, 120mm 8x8 MGS (mobile gun system) and four A-129 Mangusta helicopters.

The 530€ million contract for the Centauro 2 is expected to be concluded by 2023.

Currently, the Italian armed forces have a total of 359 Centauro 1, 8x8 anti-tank wheeled armoured vehicle. Main armament of the Centauro 1 consists of one Oto Melara-designed 105 mm 52 calibre rifled gun with a long recoil system that fires standard NATO tank ammunition as used in the L7 and M68 guns, including APFSDS.

The Centauro 2 MGS (Main Gun System) 120 mm/105 mm is a modernized version of the Centauro 1 8x8 anti-tank wheeled armoured vehicle. The Centauro 2 was presented for the first time to the public during the defense exhibition Eurosatory in June 2016.

The main armament of the Centauro 2 MGS consists of one third generation 120/45 mm gun (optional 105/52mm interchangeable to 120 mm), with integrated and stabilised low-recoil muzzle brake, provides the same fire power as most modern main battle tanks, with the capability of firing all latest generation 120 mm NATO APFSDS and multi-role MP munitions.

At Eurosatory 2016, the Centauro was also fitted with a remote-operated HITROLE Light turret armed with a 12.7mm heavy machine gun with the possibility of using 7.62 or 40 mm automatic grenade launcher, integrated with the firing system, allowing the loader to undertake battlefield surveillance from a protected position.

The hull and turret of the Centauro 2 are of all-welded steel armour construction. The ballistic armour, protection levels are significantly higher than the previous generation of Centauro 1 vehicle, with a completely rearranged hull chassis and turret design, integrated add-on ballistics and technical solutions, tested to the AEP 55 standard, capable of handling threats such as mines, IEDs and the latest-generation kinetic munitions.