On 17 August 2024 Brazil received the first Centauro II 8×8 wheeled armoured vehicle from the Italian joint venture CIO: a merger of Iveco Defence Vehicles and Oto Melara (which has been part of Leonardo since 2016), while a second Centauro II is on its way to the country. Both vehicles are intended for technical trials.

As part of its Viatura Blindada de Combate de Cavalaria – Média Sobre Rodas (VBC Cav – MSR 8×8) project, the Brazilian Army wants to replace some of the 260 Leopard 1 main battle tanks (MBTs) that the country received from German and Belgian stocks at the end of the 1990s. To this end, Brazil signed a contract worth EUR 900 million with CIO for the delivery of 98 Centauro IIs in 2022. Once testing is complete, the remaining 96 vehicles will be requested. CIO plans to produce a further seven Centauro IIs in Italy and deliver them by 2026. These vehicles will initially be used to develop operational principles. After that, production will take place over 12 years in Brazil at Iveco and Leonardo plants at an annual rate of six to seven vehicles.

Brazil’s first Centauro II, shortly after arriving in country on 17 August 2024. (Photo: Brazilian Army)

The Centauro II for Brazil is derived from the one in service with the Italian Army, but differs in some details. The vehicle, which weighs around 30 tonnes, is powered by a 533 kW Euro III Iveco diesel engine and reaches a top speed of 105 km/h on the road. CIO specifies a range of over 800 km. The crew consists of the commander, gunner and loader in the turret and the driver in the hull.

The Centauro II’s main weapon is a 120 mm/L45 smoothbore gun from Leonardo, which can fire NATO-standard 120 mm ammunition, although Brazil has dispensed with the semi-automatic loader introduced in Italy. The Centauro II will thus become the Brazilian Army’s heaviest direct-fire system, as the Leopard 1 and M60A3 MBTs the army still operates are armed with 105 mm guns.

Coaxial and anti-aircraft 7.62 mm machine guns complete the Centauro II’s armament, although a remote-controlled Leonardo Hitrole weapon station with a light or heavy machine gun or 40 mm grenade launcher can be installed as an option. Protection against ballistic and mine threats has not been specified in detail, but is said to be significantly improved compared to the Centauro I. In addition, digital tire pressure monitoring, run-flat tyres, NBC protection, and fire-fighting and explosion protection systems are integrated for optimum survivability.

Iveco has been producing vehicles for the Brazilian Army in Sete Lagoas/Brazil for a number of years. These include the Light Multi-role Vehicle (LMV) 4×4 and Guarani VBTP 6×6 amphibious armoured vehicle.

Mounting a 120 mm gun, the Centauro II will be the Brazilian Army’s heaviest direct-fire system, as the Leopard 1 and M60A3 MBTs the army still operates are armed with 105 mm guns. The example shown above also mounts a Hitrole weapon station .(Photo: CIO)