The Italian Army has ordered its last Iveco-Oto Melara 28 Centauro II 8x8 armoured fire support vehicles. This significant event marks the Italian Army's final order of its last Iveco-Oto Melara 28 Centauro II 8x8 armoured fire support vehicles, a moment of great importance in the military equipment landscape.
The completion of the last order, a 150-vehicle plan, signifies a significant advancement in the Italian Army's firepower and mobility capabilities. The Centauro II, with its advanced features, rivals main battle tanks in firepower, thanks to Leonardo's 120 mm L54 HITFACT turret, a feature that was later displayed on Turkish Otokar's TULPAR tracked armoured vehicle. Italy isn't the only country with orders on the Centauro II.
Brazil has placed an order for 98 units for a price of $1 billion and joint production with Italy. Centauro II represents an important leap in firepower by replacing the 105 mm rifled gun of Centauro B1 with the HITFACT turret with a 120 mm smoothbore gun.
The gun on the HITFACT turret is fitted with a muzzle brake to reduce recoil for the 8x8 platform and is considerably lighter than main battle tanks using guns of the same calibre. The 120 mm L52 gun can fire all NATO-standard ammunition, including the APFSDS-T, and is the main choice against tanks thanks to its extreme velocity and penetration.
In addition to increased firepower, the new configuration has a V-shaped hull for increased mine protection and a 720-hp diesel engine for mobility.
