Italy’s Ministry of Defence has awarded the Iveco-Oto Melara Consortium (CIO) a contract to provide 76 Medium Armored Combat Vehicles (VBM) for the army.
The contract stipulates 60 combat variants and 16 anti-tank carrier variants of CIO’s VBM Plus 8×8 vehicle for the military’s Second Medium Brigade.
It also includes integrated logistics support as well as an undisclosed number of 10×10 rescue and recovery vehicles to support the incoming VBM fleet’s operability.
The VBM Plus
The Plus design was derived from CIO’s existing 8×8 Centauro II wheeled tank destroyer and older VBM systems.
It is fitted with a 720-horsepower engine that is an upgrade over the previous VBM units offered by the company, enabling improved fuel distribution technology for hybrid-electric operability.
The vehicle’s transmission and suspension systems were also developed for effective maneuverability across more complex terrain.
Armed With X-Gun Turret, Spike Missiles
The Plus is armed with Leonardo’s 30-millimeter X-Gun turret, replacing the older 25-millimeter model. The capability can fire NATO-standard ammunition and is configurable to air burst mode to sustain firepower against adversarial vehicles and unmanned aerial system targets.
In an anti-tank variant, it is expected to be equipped with the Spike long-range high-explosive guided missile.
Additional features of the platform include the NATO Generic Vehicle Architecture, which allows integration of modern digitized optronics for search and targeting tasks, as well as advanced digital intercoms, multi-channel radios, and a command and control system to coordinate strategies in a warzone.
“The new VBM PLUS distinguishes itself by increased mobility, protection, lethality and integrated C4I, allowing the Italian Army to face the challenges of the coming years with a truly state-of-the-art vehicle, integrated into the netcentric architecture of the digital battlefield,” CIO said in its press release.
