Rumors and prospects: Italian wheeled tanks B1 Centauro for Ukraine
B1 Centauro in one of the parts of the Italian army
At the end of April, it became known that Italy plans to transfer to Ukraine a new batch of military-technical assistance in the form of a certain number of armored combat vehicles of various types. In particular, the possibility of sending wheeled tanks B1 Centauro. In April, such equipment was not included in the final aid plan, but in recent days, information has reappeared in the press about its possible transfer to the Ukrainian army.
Help with technology
The intentions of the Italian leadership to help the Kyiv regime with armored vehicles became known back in the middle of spring. So, on April 24, the publication la Repubblica reported that a fundamental decision of this kind had already been made. At that time, the Ministry of Defense was studying the existing fleet of equipment and was looking for vehicles that could be transferred to Ukraine without compromising their own combat capability and security. Based on the results of these works, it was planned to draw up recommendations for the government and approve a specific supply plan.
It was reported that the Ministry of Defense is considering a number of samples in service and in storage. In particular, the possibility of transferring combat vehicles with heavy weapons (“wheeled tanks”) B1 Centauro was studied. The number of such products for shipment was not specified - it was supposed to be determined during the evaluation work.
In the future, Italy indeed sent various types of weapons and equipment to Ukraine. At the same time, there were no Centauro wheeled tanks in these deliveries. Moreover, they have ceased to appear even in press publications. Apparently, the Ministry of Defense refused to allocate such equipment for shipment abroad.
Since the end of April, there have been no new reports of B1 Centauro deliveries. However, a few days ago, publications on this topic reappeared in the press. Again, the possibility of supplying such equipment is mentioned, but again without any details. It can be assumed that this time the matter will not go further than publications and discussions. However, another option cannot be ruled out - Italy could take the necessary measures and, as a result, decided to share its BMTVs.
If the decision to transfer wheeled tanks is indeed made, new questions become relevant. It is necessary to know how much equipment can be transferred, in what condition it will be, and how quickly it can be delivered to the recipient. The questions of crew training, possible deployment and combat use also remain open. However, the lack of confirmed information about plans for deliveries so far removes these questions.
wheeled alternative
The development of the future BMTV B1 Centauro was carried out in the eighties by order of the Italian Ministry of Defense. The army wanted to get an armored vehicle with firepower at the level of the Leopard 1 tank and increased mobility. Several companies from different industries were involved in the creation of the project. So, Iveco and Fiat were responsible for the development of the wheeled chassis, and OTO Melara was supposed to present the fighting compartment and weapons complex.
The development and testing of experimental equipment was completed at the turn of the eighties and nineties. Then mass production began, and in 1991 the first Centauro was handed over to the customer. In parallel with the series, the development of the original project was carried out. The wheeled tank received more powerful weapons, and in addition, a repair and recovery vehicle, a wheeled Freccia infantry fighting vehicle and a number of other samples were developed on its basis.
Production of the B1 Centauro continued until 2006, by which time about 500 machines of various modifications had been built. The main customer of the equipment was Italy - 400 wheeled tanks and ARVs were made for it. Another 88 vehicles of two types were purchased by Spain. The Omani army ordered a total of 9 upgraded BMTVs. In the tenth years, the Italian army began to reduce its fleet. She decommissioned 141 Centauro and handed them over to Jordan. 259 units remained in service.
In the early 1s, several BXNUMX Centauro arrived in the US for testing and evaluation. With their help, the American army gained experience for the future operation of its own BMTVs of the Stryker family. At the beginning of the tenth, armored vehicles with different weapons underwent evaluation tests in Russia. During these activities, significant shortcomings were identified, and Italian technology received a low overall rating.
The Italian "Centauro" was repeatedly used in real operations. Equipment of this type was used in Yugoslavia, Somalia, Iraq and Lebanon. Basically, with its help, the tasks of patrolling important areas and escorting convoys were solved. Wheeled tanks had to fight, and they showed their compliance with the requirements of local conflicts.
Technical features
B1 Centauro is an armored fighting vehicle on a four-axle chassis with a full-fledged full-rotation turret and cannon and machine gun armament. According to the customer's specifications, this BMTV combines the mobility of wheeled armored vehicles with the firepower of tanks of previous generations. At the same time, the combat weight of the "Centauro" is within 24 tons, which allows for the transfer by air. Crew - 4 people.
The Centauro machine is built on the basis of a welded hull and turret with anti-bullet and anti-fragmentation armor. All-round protection against 14,5 mm bullets is provided, and the frontal projection is protected from 25 mm projectiles. After installing hinged armor panels, the forehead can withstand 30 mm caliber projectiles. The engine compartment and the driver's workplace are placed in the bow of such a hull. The central and aft volumes are given over to a three-seat fighting compartment with a turret.
Shot from the main gun
The chassis is equipped with an Iveco V6 diesel engine with a power of 520 hp. Through an automatic transmission from ZF and other transmission units, power is distributed to all eight wheels. The undercarriage is made on the basis of an independent MacPherson strut suspension. On the highway, a wheeled tank accelerates to 105-108 km / h, the cruising range is 800 km.
In the basic version, the Centauro carries a 105 mm OTO Melara cannon based on the British L7. This gun has a 52 klb rifled barrel, muzzle brake and unitary loading. Ammunition consists of 40 shots: 14 are located directly in the tower, the rest - in the hull stowage. Auxiliary armament - two machine guns of 7,62 mm caliber. One is paired, the second is placed on an anti-aircraft installation.
The TURMS fire control system, borrowed from the Ariete tank, is used. It includes stabilized gunner's and commander's sights with day, night and rangefinding channels, a digital ballistic computer and a gun stabilizer. The gunner and commander have automated workstations.
Later, a new fighting compartment was developed with a different turret and reinforced weapons. It used a 120-mm 45-klb Italian-designed smoothbore gun, similar to the well-known Rh-120. Subsequently, these solutions were used in the development of the Centauro II project.
Dubious acquisition
In general, the BMTV B1 Centauro is considered an ambiguous example of armored vehicles. Questions and doubts arose already at the stage of formation of the concept of "wheeled tank". In addition, the design characteristics are not too high, and various shortcomings appeared during testing and during operation. For example, Russian testers criticized the Italian car for its lack of reliability.
One of the objectives of the Centauro project was to increase mobility and gain the ability to quickly transfer to the desired area. On the whole, it has been resolved. Wheeled tanks of this type can be transported by the main NATO military transport aircraft and independently perform long marches without harm to the resource. In addition, high mobility simplifies patrolling and convoy escort.
At the same time, fighting qualities are far from ideal. The vehicle is only protected against small-caliber projectiles and bullets. Any larger caliber artillery or anti-tank systems are capable of at least depriving the Centauro of combat capability. Also, the defeat of vital units and the crew is not ruled out, which completely removes the car from combat. The same applies to other means of destruction, up to aviation rockets and bombs.
As required, in terms of firepower, the Centauro is similar to the Leopard-1 tank. However, the 105-mm rifled gun of the L7 type has not met current requirements for a long time. It allows you to fight tanks of outdated models, as well as light armored vehicles, but for such purposes the gun is redundant. In this case, the return fire of any tank is a mortal danger. In addition, some shortcomings of the used SLA are reported. In particular, it does not allow firing on the move.
Leave or send
The B1 Centauro heavy weapon fighting vehicle was built around an ambiguous concept, which led to a specific result. The finished "wheeled tank" has a special ratio of combat and operational characteristics, which imposes restrictions on its combat use - or leads to unjustified risks. As a result, the Italian army, developing the direction of wheeled tanks, is in no hurry to abandon traditional MBTs.
News about the possible transfer of "Centauro" to the Ukrainian army appeared a few months ago, but such deliveries have not yet begun. Perhaps Italy was not going to share such equipment from the very beginning, and the press published unverified information. However, another explanation is also possible. Having assessed the specifics of the fighting in Ukraine, the Italian command decided not to risk its equipment and the reputation of its industry. And, as a result, all B1 Centauro will remain in their parts.
Information