The Italian Navy has awarded Iveco Defense vehicles (IDV) a contract for the delivery of 36 amphibious armored vehicles (VBA) in the personnel carrier configuration to the Italian Navy.
The amphibious vehicles will reinforce the fleet of San Marco Marina Brigade (BMSM).
According to the vehicle manufacturer, the contract was signed on December 22, 2022, and is part of Italy’s efforts to rejuvenate and reinforce the fleets of vehicles of national defense for the Sea Projection National Capability project.
VBA is an 8×8 all-terrain vehicle, capable of being launched and recovered from an amphibious vessel in open ocean.
The 700HP FPT Cursor 16 engine, combined with an automatic 7-speed gearbox and an H-driveline, derived from the Centauro and the VBM Freccia, provides the VBA with a maximum on-road speed of 105 km/h, while the two rear-mounted hydraulic propellers guarantee the navigation beyond “Sea State 3” and a top speed of 6 knots.
The platform is equipped with a HITROLE Light remote turret, supplied by Leonardo, with a 12.7mm caliber weapon and latest generation C4 systems.
The VBA for the Italian Navy is based on the SUPERAV 8×8, the amphibious vehicle platform used for the US Marine Corps’ ACV (Amphibious Combat Vehicle), which is provided in partnership with BAE Systems.
