Italian Navy orders 36 amphibious armoured vehicles from IDV

The Italian Navy has placed an order for 36 amphibious armored vehicles (VBA) from IDV, a brand of Iveco Group dedicated to providing automotive and protection solutions to militaries.

On 22 December, the Directorate of Land Armaments signed a contract with IDV for the supply 36 vehicles. The contract comes as part of the program to renew and extend the vehicles’ fleet for National Defence, aimed at increasing the Sea Projection National Capability of the Italian Navy.

The VBA is an 8×8 all-terrain vehicle, capable of being launched and recovered from an amphibious vessel in open ocean and offering at the same time mobility and high-level ballistic, anti-mine and anti-IED protection.

The VBA for the Italian Navy is based on the SUPERAV 8×8, the amphibious vehicle platform used for the US Marine Corps’ amphibious combat vehicles (ACV), which is provided in cooperation with BAE Systems.

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 calibre weapon and latest generation C4 systems, according to IDV.