DSEI 2025: ST Engineering teams up with Leonardo and ARIS for future Italian Arctic strike capabilities.

At DSEI 2025 in London, ST Engineering presented the Bronco all-terrain tracked carrier configured as a mortar carrier armed with the 120 mm Super Rapid Advanced Mortar System (SRAMS). This mortar carrier, presented in partnership with Leonardo and ARIS, was introduced at the event as a vehicle designed for the Italian Army’s Arctic missions.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

For the Italian Arctic mission set, Leonardo’s remote-controlled weapon systems, ARIS’s experience as a supplier to Italy’s armed forces, and ST Engineering’s design work were presented as a combined proposition to support Arctic missions with specialised modules and in-country support. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The partnership merges Leonardo’s remote-controlled weapon systems, ARIS’s established role as a supplier to the Italian Armed Forces, and ST Engineering’s design innovation to ensure reliability in extreme environments. Alongside this focus on Arctic capability, ST Engineering underlined its localisation strategy through production of Broncos with Sisu in Finland and with ARIS and Leonardo in Italy, while also announcing collaborations with EDGE Group and new agreements with Armormax, Echodyne, Equivital, and MyDefence.

The Italian configuration of the Bronco 3 was presented at DSEI in partnership with Leonardo and ARIS, aimed at replacing Italy’s BV206 fleet acquired in the 1980s. During the “Volpe Bianca” Arctic Forum Dolomites 2025 exercise, the vehicle was displayed with logos of all three companies, marking the officialisation of agreements signed in 2024. Leonardo would act as prime contractor and systems integrator, producing modules including command posts, mortar carriers, and CASEVAC, while ARIS would undertake licensed local production. Modules can be swapped without a crane by a few personnel and can be equipped with outriggers to aid role conversion. Around 25 Italian SMEs employing about 2,800 personnel would be involved in production. At DSEI, the Bronco 3 was shown with Leonardo Hitrole Light weapon stations, armed with a 12.7 mm machine gun in the front module and a 7.62 mm machine gun in the rear. While traditionally considered logistics vehicles, the latest versions, with their payload, protection, and optional weapons, allow reclassification as fighting vehicles depending on operational context.

This presentation formed part of the company’s broader Light Reconnaissance Strike concept, which was described by ST Engineering as a formation-level system designed to provide light infantry forces with higher mobility, precise strike options, and increased survivability. The Electronic Architecture Kit (EAK) was presented as the digital backbone of the concept, enabling integration of systems such as the Ground Deployed Advanced Mortar System (GDAMS), Counter-UAS components, ADDER remote weapon stations, and unmanned ground vehicles. According to the company, this creates a platform-agnostic sensor-to-shooter ecosystem able to transform analogue platforms into digital-enabled assets. At DSEI, the EAK was shown integrated on nine tactical vehicles across ST Engineering’s and partners’ exhibits, while GDAMS was displayed on three partner platforms. Executives highlighted that this type of digital upgrade could reduce modernisation timelines, allowing armed forces to meet operational demands without relying solely on entirely new platforms.

The Bronco family, developed originally by ST Kinetics and the Defence Science and Technology Agency of Singapore, provided the base for the mortar carrier configuration shown. The Bronco is a twin-module articulated vehicle designed for difficult terrains such as snow, marsh, and soft ground, retaining amphibious mobility and low ground pressure. Earlier versions included troop carriers, ambulances, repair and recovery vehicles, fuel resupply, and cargo carriers, while a British adaptation named Warthog was procured for Afghanistan in 2008 under an urgent operational requirement and survived multiple IED strikes. The Bronco 3 represents the latest evolution, with V-shaped hulls suspended by rubber isolators to increase mine protection and reduce vibration, the capability to swap rear modules in under 30 minutes, and amphibious performance at approximately 5 km/h. At curb mass around 10,000 kg with a payload of 6,000 kg, the Bronco 3 can carry four personnel in the forward cabin and eight in the rear module, with a maximum speed of 65 km/h and gradient climbing capability of 60% on hard terrain and 30% in snow. Amphibious at 16 tonnes, it retains modular armour options meeting STANAG 4569 levels with optional kits for counter-IED and RPG protection.

The Bronco Mortar Tracked Carrier integrates the 120 mm SRAMS as its main weapon. The SRAMS system, first revealed in 2001 and completed in 2006, introduced an advanced recoil system to reduce recoil forces, a patented blast diffuser to lower crew overpressure, a breech valve to release trapped air and speed loading, and an in-bore cooling system for sustained fire missions. It can achieve a firing rate up to 18 rounds per minute with semi-automatic loading, though the SRAMS MkII specifications cite up to 12 rounds per minute, with operational elevation angles between 45° and 85° and action times under 30 seconds. Standard range is around 9 to 10 km with unassisted rounds, extending to 13 km with extended-range munitions. The MkII uses a fully electric gun drive, ammunition loading system, and dedicated mortar fire interface integrated into automated fire control systems. Crew size is generally two or three, depending on platform integration. In its Bronco-mounted form, SRAMS employs hydro-pneumatic recoil systems and an Automatic Fire Control System with inertial navigation, enabling deployment without traditional survey. It also connects to a Mortar Platoon Management System, linking the mortar carrier to battlefield management networks for coordinated fires.

Beyond Italy, ST Engineering exhibited a locally produced Bronco with Sisu for Finland, marketed as the Sisu GTT. This variant measures 6 m in length, 2.5 m in width, and 2.55 m in height, with an unladen mass of 16.5 tonnes and a payload capacity of 5 tonnes, including NATO-standard 10 ft containers. It is powered by a Mercedes-Benz OM926 six-cylinder diesel engine coupled to an Allison 3500 six-speed automatic transmission, with independent suspension. The vehicle achieves speeds above 65 km/h, offers a 500 km range, and negotiates gradients up to 60%, with a fording depth of 1.2 m with preparation. Its protection is aligned with STANAG 4569 standards, with modular counter-IED and RPG kits, and armament options include heavy machine guns, mortar systems, and smoke grenade launchers. The Sisu GTT reflects Finland-Singapore industrial collaboration, ensuring local assembly, supply chain resilience, and lifecycle support.

The SRAMS system has also been integrated into other vehicles such as BELREX, the AM General HMMWV, and even light 4x4 platforms such as the Spider Light Strike Vehicle. Demonstrations showed that SRAMS could fire within 60 seconds of halting, providing survivability against counter-battery fire. Ammunition includes extended-range HE, IR smoke, illumination, and GPS-guided rounds with CEP around 10 m. Earlier contracts included the UAE’s 2007 order for 48 AGRAB 120 mm Mobile Mortar Systems with SRAMS integrated on Denel RG31 MRAPs. Other collaborations include a 2018 agreement with Hirtenberger Defence Systems combining SRAMS with its fire control and ammunition for the European market. At IDEX 2019, the SRAMS MkII was shown with PM120 precision-guided bombs, extended-range ammunition, and insensitive munition options. These developments align with a wider trend toward 120 mm self-propelled mortars with digital fire control, displacing older 81 mm systems still operated in some forces.

Through its displays at DSEI 2025, ST Engineering combined the Bronco articulated carrier, SRAMS automated mortar systems, and its digital Light Reconnaissance Strike architecture. The company positioned these as interoperable and modular solutions aligned with NATO standards and adaptable to national requirements. Announcements of partnerships with Leonardo, ARIS, EDGE, and other firms showed its strategy of industrial cooperation and technology transfer. Historical references to the Warthog’s service in Afghanistan, the Bronco’s Arctic trials, and multiple SRAMS integrations highlighted the maturity of both systems. ST Engineering’s presentation in London sought to show how combining high-mobility chassis, automated mortars, and digital integration addresses demands for Arctic, alpine, littoral, and dispersed light-force operations, while also offering industrial participation and localisation options for European and Middle Eastern partners.

Written by Jérôme Brahy

Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst writing for Army Recognition since July 15, 2023, mainly focusing on naval modernization, aviation, drones, tanks, and artillery, with particular attention to countries such as the United States, China, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. He also enjoys explaining who does what, the broader context of each news, and why it matters.