IVECO Defence Vehicles contract to deliver 10 Centauro 2 Mobile Gun Systems to Italian Army.

Iveco Defence Vehicles, shareholder of the Iveco - Oto Melara Consortium (CIO), is awarded a contract to deliver ten Centauro II MGS Mobile Gun System on 8x8 armored vehicles to the Italian Army. It is a modernized version of the Centauro 1 8x8 anti-tank wheeled armoured vehicle.

Centauro 2 Mobile Gun System on 8x8 armored chassis at Eurosatory 2018 (Picture source Leonardo)

In the presence of the Italian Army Chief of Staff and of the Land Armaments Director a contract for the first tranche of ten Centauro II Vehicles, named “New Blindo Centauro” by the Italian Army, has been signed by the Iveco - Oto Melara Consortium (CIO) senior management at Guidoni Palace, headquarters of the General Secretariat of Defence and of the National Armaments Directorate.

The Centauro II marks a major step forward compared to the previous Centauro I, in terms of power, observation capability, mobility, ergonomics, firing range, communication and maximum crew protection.

The Centauro 2 was presented for the first time to the public during the defense exhibition Eurosatory in June 2016. It is the first 8x8 wheeled anti-tank vehicle in the world with a high-pressure gun. The Centauro II represents the logical evolution, being armed with a third generation 120/45 mm gun, with integrated muzzle brake and semi-automatic loading system.

The Centauro II MGS is motorized with an Iveco Vector 8V Euro III Diesel engine developing 720 hp. coupled to an automatic gearbox with 7 forward and 1 reverse speeds. As regards mobility in particular, the power-to-weight ratio, increased to 24 HP/tonne, provides unequalled performance in terms of speed and acceleration thanks to the new-generation IVECO engine and to the associated modernisation of the transmission, braking system and control electronics.

The result is a new concept of wheeled armored vehicle capable of operating in any scenario: from national security missions, to peace-keeping and support operations including all interventions involving the Italian Armed Forces.

The CIO contract, including vehicles, equipment and logistics, is worth 159 million euros, with some 65 million euros relating to Iveco Defence Vehicles.

This delivery is the first tranche of a total of 136 units.