Italian Naval Forces Acquire 36 Cutting-Edge Amphibious Armored Vehicles
IDV will be providing 36 Amphibious Armored Personnel Carriers (VBA) to the Italian Navy. IDV’s cutting-edge amphibious vehicles will bolster the fleet of San Marco Marina Brigade (BMSM) and will substantially enhance the National Sea Projection Capability.
On December 22nd, the Directorate of Land Armaments finalized an agreement with IDV for the delivery of 36 Amphibious Armored Vehicles (VBA) to the Italian Navy. This contract is part of an initiative to modernize and expand the fleet essential for National Defense, designed to strengthen the Sea Projection capability of the Italian Navy. The VBA is an 8×8 all-terrain vehicle, proficient in launch and recovery operations from an amphibious craft in open waters while simultaneously providing superb mobility along with advanced ballistic, anti-mine, and anti-IED protection.
The 700HP FPT Cursor 16 engine, paired with an automatic 7-speed transmission and an H-driveline—derived from both the Centauro and the VBM Freccia—grants the VBA a peak on-road velocity of 105 km/h. Simultaneously, the two hydraulically driven rear propellers ensure navigation capabilities beyond “Sea State 3” with a top velocity of 6 knots. This platform boasts a HITROLE Light remote turret, supplied by Leonardo, featuring a 12.7mm caliber weapon system alongside state-of-the-art C4 systems.
The VBA for the Italian Navy is built upon the SUPERAV 8×8, the amphibious vehicle platform utilized for the US Marine Corps’ ACV (Amphibious Combat Vehicle), developed in collaboration with BAE Systems.
