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 8×8 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.
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.