Brazilian Army receives first two Italian Centauro II 8x8 armored vehicles to boost fire support capability.

The Brazilian Army officially incorporated its first two Italian-made Centauro II BR 8x8 wheeled armored vehicles during a ceremony held on May 21, 2025, at Campo de Parada Capitão José Pessôa in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul. This delivery marks a significant advancement in the Army’s armored vehicle modernization efforts, part of a 2021 contract for 98 units valued at R$5 billion. These new Italian-made platforms will replace the aging EE-9 Cascavel 6x6 reconnaissance vehicles, enhancing mobility, firepower, and survivability across the force. Citing information published on the SA Defensa X account on June 3, 2025.
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The first two Italian-made Centauro II 8x8 armored vehicles were delivered to the Brazilian Army during the official handover ceremony in Santa Maria on May 21 2025, marking the start of a major modernization program. (Picture source: SA Defensa X account)

The acquisition of Italian-made Centauro II 8x8 armored vehicles is a cornerstone of Brazil’s broader initiative to modernize its armed forces by phasing out obsolete systems and integrating high-performance, NATO-standard platforms into its operational structure. The aging EE-9 Cascavel, in service since the 1970s, lacks the firepower, protection, and digital integration required on today’s battlefield. In contrast, the Centauro II introduces a new level of lethality and mobility to the Brazilian Army’s mechanized cavalry, reinforcing national defense readiness and enhancing Brazil’s capacity to participate in international peacekeeping and coalition missions.

Developed by the Italian defense consortium CIO, composed of Iveco Defence Vehicles and Oto Melara, the Centauro II is armed with a high-pressure 120mm smoothbore cannon capable of firing all NATO-standard ammunition. Its fire control system is fully digital and stabilized, enabling accurate target engagement while on the move under a wide range of operational conditions. The turret includes thermal imaging sensors, laser rangefinders, and automatic target tracking for day and night combat. The vehicle’s modular armor provides scalable ballistic protection against both kinetic energy threats and improvised explosive devices, complemented by an active defense system that improves crew survivability in contested environments.

The Centauro II’s 715-horsepower engine delivers speeds up to 105 km/h and a maximum range of 800 kilometers, ensuring high strategic and tactical mobility across Brazil’s diverse geography. Its 8x8 wheeled configuration provides operational flexibility, low logistical footprint, and rapid redeployment capability by land or air transport. Combined with advanced communication systems, the platform is designed to integrate into modern network-centric warfare environments.

This procurement also builds upon an established defense relationship between Brazil and Italy. The Brazilian Army already operates the Guarani 6x6 armored personnel carrier, also produced by Iveco Defence Vehicles, but manufactured locally at the Iveco plant in Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais. The Guarani, developed in partnership with the Brazilian Army, has become a key component of Brazil’s armored forces, supporting internal mobility and regional deployments. The introduction of the Centauro II reinforces this industrial cooperation, underscoring a long-standing strategic defense partnership that combines Italian technological expertise with Brazilian production capabilities and regional defense objectives.

Santa Maria’s selection as the ceremony site highlights its importance as a training and maintenance center for armored forces, positioning it at the heart of Brazil’s mechanized modernization. With further deliveries expected over the coming years, the Centauro II BR will play a central role in reshaping the Brazilian Army’s reconnaissance and fire support capabilities, signaling a strategic shift in Brazil’s land warfare doctrine and a deepening of its defense ties with European industry leaders.