Italian Army Receives First Ariete C2 Main Battle Tank
The Italian Army has received its first upgraded Ariete C2 main battle tank during a ceremony at the Cecchignola Military Compound in Rome. The ceremony was attended by Army leaders and representatives of the Iveco–Oto Melara Consortium (CIO). CIO is a joint venture of Iveco Defence Vehicles and Leonardo, which is overseeing this modernization. The Ariete C2 is the first of 90 tanks selected for an extensive main battle tank upgrade program aimed at extending the fleet’s life. The program includes a ten-year logistics support package.
The project is a key part of broader Italian defense modernization efforts and the Army’s campaign to revitalize its tracked vehicle fleet. The upgraded vehicle features significant improvements in mobility (increasing output by 20% to 1,500 horsepower) as the engine and fuel system have been upgraded with a new common-rail injection and supercharger. A new track set with a larger footprint reduces crew vibration and enhances cross-country agility.
Firepower and electronics have been overhauled. The 120mm main gun is now controlled by a fully digital fire-control system (similar to that of the Centauro II) with stabilized day/night optronics and advanced thermal cameras, allowing for faster target acquisition. Hydraulic turret servos have been replaced by precise electric drives to improve reliability. Communications and situational awareness are enhanced with a new C2D/N EVO command suite, from Leonardo, and software-defined radio (including satellite links), providing the crew with advanced connectivity and battlefield awareness. Protection and crew survivability enhancements are also included. The C2 adds an integrated fire suppression and anti-explosion system to protect the crew from onboard fires or blasts. The driver now uses a digital navigation console linked to the vehicle’s command system as the crew stations are redesigned with ergonomic seating and multifunction displays.
Defense officials emphasize that the Ariete C2 upgrade is a cornerstone of Italy’s armored modernization. The program ensures that Italy maintains a credible heavy armored capability for NATO commitments by extending the tank’s service life to 2040 and bridging current forces to next-generation armor. This effort also revitalizes Italy’s defense industrial base in the heavy-tank sector and supports broader national security objectives.