In the presence of the Italian Army Chief of Staff and of the Land Armaments Director a contract for the first tranche of ten Centauro II Vehicles, named “New Blindo Centauro” by the Italian Army, has been signed by the Iveco - Oto Melara Consortium (CIO) senior management at Guidoni Palace, headquarters of the General Secretariat of Defence and of the National Armaments Directorate.

The Centauro II marks a major step forward compared to the previous Centauro I, in terms of power, observation capability, mobility, ergonomics, firing range, communication and maximum crew protection.

Equipped with a new power pack delivering over 700hp and with H-drive architecture, a hallmark of the 8x8 Centauro range, Centauro II features an entirely digital system and a new generation turret mounting with a 120/45 mm gun.

The result is a new concept of wheeled armored vehicle capable of operating in

The Iveco - Oto Melara Consortium, CIO in short, was established in 1985 on equal participation between Iveco Defence Vehicles and former Oto Melara, which is now Leonardo.

Within the Consortium, Iveco Defence Vehicles, a CNH Industrial company, is responsible for engines, gears and all the automotive components, the hull and the final integration of wheeled armoured vehicles while Leonardo is responsible for weapon systems, sight and fire control systems and the hull and the final integration of tracked armoured vehicles.

Both companies have excellent skills in the field of protection against direct fire, mines and IEDs.