Italian Navy orders amphibious armoured personnel carriers
The VBA is based on the SuperAV 8x8 design already selected by the USMC. (Photo: IDV)
On 22 December, Italy's Directorate of Land Armaments signed a contract with IDV for 36 Amphibious Armoured Vehicles (VBAs). This is part of a wider programme to renew and expand Italy's national armoured vehicle fleets, here aimed at increasing the sea projection capability of the navy.
The VBA 8x8 vehicle can be launched and recovered from an amphibious vessel in open ocean and is designed for high mobility and ballistic protection on land.
It is powered by a 700hp FPT Cursor 16 engine, coupled to an automatic seven-speed gearbox and driveline derived from that of the Centauro and VBM Freccia. The VBA has a maximum road speed of 105km/h, while two rear-mounted hydraulic propellers allow navigation 'beyond Sea State 3' and a top water speed of 6kt.
Related Articles
Fincantieri launches Italian Navy LHD
BAE Systems to expand ACV family with recovery variant
FNSS pushes ZAHA for Indonesian AAV requirement
The platform is equipped with a Leonardo HITROLE Light remote turret, with a 12.7mm machine gun.
The VBA design for the Italian Navy is based on the SuperAV 8x8 amphibious platform selected for the US Marine Corps’ Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) programme, provided in partnership with BAE Systems.
The vehicles will replace ageing in-service AAV7-A1 platforms. Shephard Defence Insight reports that the Italian Navy has an overall requirement for 64 VBAs and that trials with the current batch will inform future procurement, including of non-APC variants.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
Australia and Canada approved for $2.5 billion HIMARS buys
Australia already operates M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) after receiving first units in March and conducting the first firings in August. Canada’s order comes in the face of a commitment from the government to move away from US products.
-
Iran lifts lid on its anti-tank missiles used in the field against Israel
Iran’s anti-tank guided weapons (ATGWs) are generally lesser known but systems were put on display at the Partner 2025 exhibition in Serbia late last month, many of which are based on US weapons.
-
Development of Serbia’s upgraded Pasars-16 air defence system completed but in limbo
The standard Pasars mobile air defence system has been in service with the Serbian Army for several years and was developed by the Serbian Military Technical Institute.
-
Getting the most from open-architecture solutions in defence
What are the best practices for maximising the benefits of open-architecture technology for military applications?
-
Rheinmetall signs $521 million agreement for ammunition as it plans factory in Latvia
Rheinmetall has been increasing its production capacity since 2022 and aims to be able to produce up to 1.5 million 155mm artillery shells annually by 2027.