TheVBM – Freccia is a family of 8×8 armoured vehicles that was designed and manufactured for theItalian Army byIveco Defence Vehicles for the hull, the engine and the suspension, andOTO Melara for the armament. The first variant to be developed was theIFV, the Freccia being equipped with aHitfist turret, the same as the one installed on theDardo IFV.[2]
A change in the doctrine for a more mobile vehicle was the reason behind the choice of a wheeled platform. And as a support to the infantry, a turret was selected to equip the successor of the VCC-2 APC variant, which increased the capabilities and the power of the infantry brigades. Some other variants such as command post vehicles, mortar carriers are also in use in the Italian Army.
Several batches have been ordered since the first one in 2006.
The VBM – Freccia is a Medium Armoured Combat Vehicle("Veicolo Blindato Medio Freccia"). It is an up-armoured variant of theCentauro (tactical reconnaissance and tank destroyer). It was designed by Iveco Defence Vehicles and OTO Melara with their own resources in order to meet the needs of the Italian Army. A first prototype was produced in 1996. Following a long test campaign, the Italian army selected this vehicle as the winner of the competition and placed a first order for 249 vehicles in 2006.[3] In 2021, a contract was concluded for the design of aMLU of this first generation of vehicles.[4]
After this first batch, the Italian Army needed additional vehicles to replace the specialised variants of the M113 in service.
The electronic architecture of the vehicle is designed according to the NATO General Vehicle Architecture (NGVA)STANAG 4754.[5] This agreement focuses on making the architecture modular, easy and less costly to adapt. Applications can be added to the multi functional control unit as plug and play. It reduces the number of application specific control units, and therefore minimises the need for space and energy. The data, power, communication, sensors, effectors are all integrated according to this architecture. One of the element of this architecture is the SICCONA C2D command, control and navigation system, which includes NEC (Network Enabled Capability).[6]
The main variant is the Infantry Fighting Vehicle, and the Anti Tank variant. Both are equipped with aHitfist manned turret, which has aKBA 25 mm autocannon. For the anti-tank variant, the first variant is equipped with anti-tank missiles to be employed by the dismounted infantry. In the future, aSpike LR missile is to be integrated to the turret.
Additional vehicles for reconnaissance and additional infantry fighting capabilities were needed to equip the infantry troops. Improvements on the Freccia platform were necessary to keep up with the new technologies.[4]
The Freccia PLUS is a development of theCentauro 2. The main improvements include a newpowertrain. The engine power is raised from 550 hp (410 kW) to 720 hp (540 kW), by modifying the engine to common rail direct injection, and preparing it for a future hybrid-electric propulsion system.[7]
The armament capabilities are improved. The turret selected is the unmannedHitfist® OWS equipped with the Leonardo’s X-GUN 30mm30×173mm chain gun replacing the OerlikonKBA 25 mm autocannon and can be equipped with anti-tank guided missiles mounted on the side of the turret. TheSpike LR is the one used by the Italian Army. The turret is also equipped with a new fire control system. The thermal aiming for the gunner is supplied byLeonardo with theLothar D (Land Optronic Thermal Aiming Resource). The commander gets a digital sight, and a mast with a panoramic sight is available especially for the reconnaissance variant, theJanus D also supplied by Leonardo.[7][4]
As for the communications, Leonardo supplies the SWave VQ1 4-channel software defined radio which operates in the HF, VHF and UHF bands, plus a digital intercom system is available. The Italian Army variant is including it in itsNetwork Enhanced Capability, known as the SICCONA C2D/N EVO which is to be expanded to the otherarmoured fighting vehicles.[7][6]
TheIron Fisthard-kill protection system has already been tested, a potential integration is being evaluated by the Italian Army. It would most likely be the Light-Decoupled Iron Fist (IF-LD).[4]
VBM Controcarro (ATGW): Aninfantry fighting vehicle equipped with a two-manHitfist turret with aKBA25 mmautocannon. Anti-tank guided missiles are included in the internal armament of the variant. A dualSpike LR anti-tank missile launcher will be added to the turret with the middle-life upgrade.
VBM Posto Comando: Two variants are in operation in the Italian Army
Veicolo Nucleo Comando (nu. Cdo):[10] Used by the brigade commander, equipped with aRCWSHitrole L which uses a heavy machine gun, theM2 Browning in12.7 mm NATO. A C4 (command, control, communication and computer) installation is part of its equipment, and additional communication equipment compared to the base IFV variant. It has access to SATCOM, it is equipped with the SIACCON system (Italian Automated Information System for Command and Control), 3 servers, and 4 LRT350+ computer posts.[11]
Veicolo Nucleo Tattico(nu. tat.):[10] Vehicle used by the platoon commander. The base vehicle is theVBM da Combattimento (AIFV), equipped with a two-manHitfist turret with aKBA25 mmautocannon and the same C4 equipment as for theVeicolo Nucleo Comando is available in the armoured vehicle.
Prototypes based on both the Freccia and the Centauro common chassis:
VBM Freccia APC:[9] Anarmoured personnel carrier variant that was initially planned, but none have been ordered yet, and none are planned to be ordered by the Italian Army.
VBC con torrettaT60/70A:[13][9] A variant equipped with a turretHitfist on which a 60mm self-loadingautocannon byOTO Melara is installed, expected to be used as an anti-armour vehicle, but it was never ordered.
DRACO:[14][15] A SPAAG (self-propelled anti-air gun) and anti-missile gun, based on the naval autocannonOTO-Melara 76 mm Super Rapido. It can also be used as C-RAM system with APFSDS(armor piercing fin stabalized discarding sabot) ammunition.[16]
Porcospino:[17] The "Porcupine" is a self-propelled howitzer using a 155mm L/39 artillery gun.
Base level: anti-mine seats + anti-mine / IED floor withstanding up to 6 kg (13 lb)TNT equivalent
Optional: increase of the floor protection to withstand up to 8 kg (18 lb) TNT equivalent
Optional systems
Smoke grenade launchers (8 × 80 mm)/NBC protection/ IED active jamming protection suite/ laser warning system/ fire extinguishing system in the crew cabin
The following list includes the remaining number of each model that should be ordered for the Phase 2 of the VBM Freccia programme, but as the anti-tank variant was ordered in a larger quantity than initially planned (5 additional), same for the command variant (18 additional), this list below will be adjusted by the Italian government.
In 2012, the Russian Army tested the Freccia fitted with a 30mm turret and the Centauro in 3 variants, equipped with the 105mm canon on theCentauro, one fitted with a Russian 125mm tank gun, and another one with a NATO 120mm tank gun with the HITFACT 120mm turret.
A discussion for up to 2,500 vehicles was mentioned. Following theAnnexation of Crimea in 2014, sanctions were imposed on Russia, and all cooperation on armament was cancelled.[36]
TheSlovenian Army is looking for up to 106APC with a budget of €700 million after rejecting the contract for theBoxer. The finalists of the competition are thePiranha V, the Freccia, theRosomak L and thePatria AMVXP.[37] On 11 July 2024 it was announced, that the Patria AMVxp won the competition.[38]
In 2015, a program to replace theVEC-M1, theBMR-M1 and part of theM113 fleet was launched by the Spanish Army. The competitors were theBoxer, the Freccia, the Patria AMV, thePiranha V, theSEP and theVBCI.[40]
In September 2015, the competition was won byGDELS with thePiranha V.[41] In December 2019, the Spanish Government cancelled the program, and relaunched the competition.[42] In August 2020, the Piranha V ofGDELS Santa Barbara Sistemas in collaboration withIndra Sistemas andSapa Placencia won again the competition for a first batch of 348 vehicles for €1.74 billion.[43] It is known as theDragón VCR [es].
The Chilean Army was looking for a successor to its 160 Piraña I 6×6 and 30 Piraña I 8×8. On a long term perspective, more than 200 vehicles are expected to be purchased, but in the meantime, a first phase of the replacement includes a tender for 82 8×8 armoured vehicles. The requirement mentions a maximum weight of 38 tons. The deadline for the selection is dated April 8, 2025. Among the known competitors were.:[44][45]
Italian Army(630)
Slovenian Ground Force (up to 106)
Chile (> 200)
