According to information published by the Italian Newspaper website “Corriere Della Sera” on April 23, 2022, Italy is considering different options for delivering arms to Ukraine including 155mm artillery howitzers PzH 2000, M109L, as well as Sidam 25, tracked air defense armored vehicles, M113A1 and VCC-1 tracked APC (Armored Personnel Carrier) vehicles, Iveco VM90 and LMV 4×4 light tactical vehicles.
Like other countries, Italy focuses to the delivery of mobile artillery systems such as Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States. Italy has not yet made a decision on the type of artillery system that could be delivered to Ukraine, and there are two possible options, the M109L which is an Italian version of the American M109 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzer or the PzH 2000, which is the latest generation of 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzer which is in service Croatia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, and Qatar.
The M113A1 is the production variant of the American-made M113 tracked APC (Armored Personnel Carrier) vehicle which entered service with the U.S. Army in 1963. It is one of the most popular tracked APCs used in the world. The rear part of the vehicle can accommodate up to 11 infantrymen in APC configuration. It is one of the most popular tracked APCs in the world and more than 40 variants have been developed. The hull of the M113 provides protection against the firing of small arms and artillery shell splinters.
The VCC-1 also nicknamed Camillino is an Italian-made upgraded version of the M113A1 tracked APC. Main improvements over the VCC-1 can be summarized as increased firepower, improved armor protection, the infantry’s ability to aim and fire their weapons from inside the hull, and improved seating arrangements. The vehicle no longer in service with the Italian army and was replaced by the Dardo tracked armored IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle).
The SIDAM 25 is a mobile anti-aircraft gun system developed in Italy based on the tracked chassis of the American M113 APC. The roof of the hull is fitted with a weapon station armed with four 25mm Oerlikon automatic cannons which have an effective range of about 2,500 m
The VM90 is an Italian-made 4×4 multirole tactical vehicle designed and manufactured by the company IVECO. The design of the vehicle is based on the civilian truck Iveco Daily. It has a crew of two located at the front in a crew cab. The rear part of the vehicle can accommodate up to 8 military personnel.
Iveco LMV 4×4 light tactical vehicle
The LMV (Light Multirole Vehicle) is a 4×4 tactical vehicle developed by Iveco and is in service with several countries. The Light Multipurpose Vehicle (LMV) was originally developed by the IVECO Defence Vehicles as a private venture with the first of 10 prototypes being completed in 2001. The vehicle entered into service with the Italian army in 2003 and is now in service with Albania, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Italy, Lebanon, Norway, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Tunisia, and the United Kingdom