Italy has signed an agreement with the Iveco – Oto Melara Consortium to supply the final tranche of Centauro II wheeled tank destroyers to the army as part of a 2018 program.
The order stipulates the delivery of 28 Centauro systems, completing the government’s goal of 150 anti-tank vehicles for its armed forces.
The deal also included the provision of corresponding logistics support for the fleet that will run for 10 years.
“The Centauro II, today fully operational, represents the state-of-the-art in terms of performance, engagement capability, mobility, interconnection and ergonomics, in addition to the proven maximum crew protection,” the consortium said in its announcement.
“[Centauro II] is a new concept of wheeled armoured vehicle capable of operating in any scenario: from national security missions to peacekeeping and support operations including all interventions involving the Italian Armed Forces.”
The Centauro II
The Centauro II is an upgraded version of the Italian Army’s baseline reconnaissance anti-tank platform designed in the late 1980s and produced in the early 1990s.
Similar to its predecessor, the latest Centauro’s chassis and propulsion were built by Iveco Fiat, while its weapons and associated turrets are from Oto Melara (now Leonardo).
Centauro II weighs six tons more than its predecessor and incorporates a 120-millimeter cannon as well as .45-caliber smoothbore guns.
It is powered by a 720-horsepower engine for speeds of up to 105 kilometers (65 miles) per hour and a maximum cruising range of 800 kilometers (497 miles).
The system uses H-drive technology, which improves the maneuverability of heavy off-road vehicles, considering that the Centauro II is an 8×8 platform.
In July 2018, the Italian government awarded Iveco and its partners 159 million euros ($170 million) to ship the initial batch of Centauro IIs to the Italian military.
The last order before the 2024 deal was announced in 2022 and consisted of 16 Centauros.
The same year, the Iveco – Oto Melara Consortium signed an agreement with the Brazilian government to replace the army’s aging 8×8 ground systems with up to 220 Centauro IIs.
