IVECO-Oto Melara to manufacture 30 Freccia 8x8 infantry fighting vehicles for Italian army.

On 27 December 2019, at Palazzo Guidoni, headquarters of the General Secretariat of Defence and the National Armaments Directorate, a contract was signed for the acquisition of 30 8x8 Freccia ("Arrow") Infantry Fighting Vehicles (Veicoli Blindati Medi) (5 in combat version and 25 in antitank version) and related ten-year integrated logistic support.

Iveco - Oto Melara Freccia ("Arrow") Infantry Fighting Vehicle (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The supply takes advantage of the funds provided for by the Tri-Ministerial Convention, between the Defence, Economic Development and Finance Departments, which allocates to the Freccia Programme about 1.5 billion Euro for the coming years (until 2032), drawn from the resources provided for by the 2017 and 2018 Budget Laws. The contract marks the resumption of supplies of vehicles to the 2nd Medium Brigade.

At Eurosatory 2012, the consortium of Italian companies Iveco Defence Vehicles - Oto Melara presented a new version of the 8x8 Centauro family in an infantry fighting vehicle variant: the Centauro VBM Freccia Explorer. This vehicle is equipped with an Oto Melara HITFIST Plus turret, armed with a 25 mm or 30 mm cannon. Thanks to a hull designed to ensure maximum protection, a powerful Iveco engine coupled to the traditional H-shaped transmission, a steering capacity on three axles, the HITFIST tower with 25 mm weapon and advanced Command, Control and Communication systems by Leonardo, the Freccia guarantees the crew excellent tactical and strategic mobility and force protection combined with adequate firepower.