In the morning of July 18, a handover ceremony was held at the Cecchignola base in Rome to mark the official delivery of the first ARIETE C-2 Main Battle Tank (MBT) to the Italian Army (EI).

The event took place in the presence of the Italian Army Chief of Staff, General Carmine Masiello, and senior representatives of the Iveco – Oto Melara Consortium (CIO), a 50/50 joint venture between Iveco Defence Vehicles (IDV) and Leonardo, which serves as the design authority for the platform.

The programme involves the upgrade of 90 ARIETE C-1 tanks to the C-2 standard, with an option for an additional 35 units. It also includes a ten-year integrated logistics support service.

General Masiello emphasized the need for closer cooperation between industry and the Army and underlined that the work carried out on the ARIETE C-2 has helped bridge two distinct gaps: a design and manufacturing gap on the industrial side, and a cultural and operational procedures gap on the military side. He noted that this effort has enabled Italy’s national industry to gain the competencies needed to take part—on equal footing—in the upcoming future main battle tank programme.

The Chief of Staff also stressed the urgent operational requirement: “We need tanks, and we need them as soon as possible. Today, deterrence is essential, and the tank, by its very nature, represents a key element of deterrence.” He went on to highlight the importance of deploying armoured units capable of operating effectively alongside European partners, stating that “the ARIETE C-2 programme is aligned precisely with this objective.”

CIO President, Engineer Claudio Catalano (also CEO of IDV), echoed this sentiment, noting that the ARIETE upgrade programme has restored national industrial expertise in tracked platforms—an asset of strategic relevance for Italy’s defence sector. He added that the effort has led to an overall increase in industrial capability and has significantly extended the tank’s operational life.

The C-2 upgrade focuses on 3 core areas: mobility, lethality, and C3 systems (Command, Control, and Communications).

Regarding mobility, the tank’s turbodiesel engine has been extensively overhauled. Thanks to a series of interventions—including increased displacement, the adoption of a common rail fuel system, and an upgraded turbocharging system—engine output has been boosted by 20%, now delivering 1,500 HP (1,100 kW). Torque performance, especially at low RPMs, has also improved, enhancing the tank’s responsiveness during rapid acceleration and pivot turns typical of MBT maneuvers. The upgrade also includes significant improvements to the transmission, braking system, and the adoption of entirely new tracks. These newly developed tracks have a broader ground footprint than the previous ones, improving mobility and reducing vibration levels.

On the turret side, the ARIETE C-2 features new electric actuators replacing the older electro-hydraulic systems, resulting in better reliability and performance. The fire control system has been completely overhauled and is now based on the same solution used on the CENTAURO II 8x8 wheeled IFV. It includes next-generation TV and thermal imaging sensors by Leonardo—namely the ATTILA D panoramic optronic sight for the commander and the LOTHAR SD for the gunner.

In the C3 domain, the ARIETE C-2 is equipped with the latest-generation C2D N EVO battle management system and the VQ-1 quad-channel Software Defined Radio (SDR), both by Leonardo. These systems are fully integrated with new digital intercoms provided by Larimart.

Finally, the crew stations for both the commander and gunner have been redesigned to ensure maximum ergonomics, incorporating new man-machine interfaces with multifunction displays. The driver’s station has also been significantly upgraded, featuring a new digital dashboard that integrates navigation functions linked to the C2 system. A new fire suppression and explosion protection system has been installed as well, significantly enhancing crew survivability.

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