Italian Army reaches 150 Centauro II anti-tank vehicles with a new delivery of 28 units.

On June 27, 2024, the Iveco-Oto Melara Consortium signed a contract with the Italian Secretariat of Defence (Segredifesa) Land Armaments Directorate for the supply of 28 Centauro II 8x8 anti-tank vehicles, finalizing the Italian Army's requirement for a total of 150 units. The Centauro II, a modernized version of the Centauro I anti-tank vehicle, is armed with a 120/45 mm gun, with an option to interchange it with a 105/52 mm gun.
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This contract stems from a procurement notice issued by the Italian Ministry of Defense on April 5, 2023, which outlined the acquisition of 28 additional Centauro II vehicles and included ten years of integrated logistical support. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

This contract stems from a procurement notice issued by the Italian Ministry of Defense on April 5, 2023, which outlined the acquisition of 28 additional Centauro II vehicles and included ten years of integrated logistical support. This initiative builds on previous contracts for 96 and 10 vehicles, signed in 2020 and 2018 respectively, with the goal of completing the acquisition of 150 Centauro II units. The contract, valued at €605.49 million, will be financed through budget allocations from 2024 to 2032. It also includes upgrading earlier units to the configuration 3.0 standard, ensuring compliance with current military standards. The contract was awarded to the Iveco-Oto Melara Consortium (CIO), the sole qualified supplier, through a negotiated procedure due to the classified and technical nature of the project.

The procurement notice from April 2023 provided additional details, noting that the supplied vehicles are equipped with systems featuring eye-safe laser sources (class I) and include a specific clause addressing any laser safety obligations of the manufacturer. The Italian Army General Staff, in a mandate letter, reiterated the importance of proceeding with the procurement of Centauro II vehicles under a negotiated procedure without prior publication of the tender notice, aligning with the previous acquisitions of Centauro II.

The main armament of the Centauro II is a 120/45 mm gun, with an option to interchange it with a 105/52 mm gun, supported by an advanced ammunition handling system. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The Centauro II, a modernized version of the Centauro I anti-tank vehicle, was first presented at Eurosatory 2016 and is armed with an improved high-pressure gun. Featuring an 8x8 configuration, the vehicle incorporates modernized systems for transmission, braking, and control electronics, along with a digital tire pressure control system (CTIS) and modern suspension for effective navigation across various terrains.

The main armament of the Centauro II is a 120/45 mm gun, with an option to interchange it with a 105/52 mm gun, supported by an advanced ammunition handling system. The turret, which is operated by a three-man crew (commander, gunner, loader), includes new anti-mine seats and can be equipped with various machine guns and grenade launchers. The vehicle's optronic equipment features a panoramic commander's sight, gunner's sight, and backup systems for operations in degraded modes, all integrated into a network-centric warfare system.

In terms of protection, the Centauro II includes ballistic armor with a high-hardness monocoque steel hull and modular armor capable of defending against anti-tank mines and other threats. The hull and turret meet the AEP 55 standard for ballistic protection. Crew safety measures include improved ammunition storage partitioning and modern NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) protection systems.

The Centauro II also features modern combat equipment, including a radio system, digital intercom, integrated Battle Management System (BMS), and anti-RC-IED capabilities. It is fitted with the latest optronics for situational awareness and equipped with new anti-mine seats, NBC protection, fire-fighting, and anti-explosion systems. The vehicle's air conditioning system allows operation in temperatures ranging from -30°C to +44°C.

The mobility of the Centauro II is enhanced by its Iveco Vector 8V Euro III Diesel engine developing 720 HP, coupled with an automatic gearbox with seven forward and one reverse gears. The vehicle's power-to-weight ratio provides high performance in terms of speed and acceleration. The hydro-pneumatic suspension and digital tire pressure control system (CTIS) allow it to operate on various terrains. The vehicle can reach a maximum road speed of 105 km/h and has a maximum cruising range of 800 km. It can negotiate gradients of 60%, side slopes of 30%, and ford depths of 1.5 m without preparation.

The vehicle can reach a maximum road speed of 105 km/h and has a maximum cruising range of 800 km. (Picture source: Army Recognition)