Centauro (Tank destroyer)


The Centauro is a family of Italian military vehicles originating from a wheeled tank destroyer for light to medium territorial defence and tactical reconnaissance. It was developed by a consortium of manufacturers, the Società Consortile Iveco Fiat - OTO Melara. Iveco Fiat was tasked with developing the hull and propulsion systems while Oto Melara was responsible for developing the turrets and weapon systems. The Centauro platform has been developed into multiple variants to fulfil other combat roles, such as infantry fighting vehicle or self-propelled howitzer.

Description

The vehicle was developed in response to an Italian Army requirement for a tank destroyer with the firepower of the old Leopard 1 main battle tank then in service with the Italian Army, but with greater strategic mobility. The main mission of the Centauro is to protect other, lighter, elements of the cavalry, using its good power-to-weight ratio, excellent range and cross country ability and computerised fire control system to accomplish this mission. Centauro entered production in 1991 and deliveries were complete by 2006.

Armament

The main armament consists of the Oto Melara 105 mm/52 calibre gyro-stabilized high-pressure, low-recoil gun equipped with a thermal sleeve and an integrated fume extractor, with 40 rounds: 14 ready rounds in the turret and another 26 rounds in the hull. The gun can fire standard NATO ammunition, including APFSDS rounds.
Secondary weapons are a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun, and another 7.62 mm anti-aircraft machine gun with 4,000 rounds of ammunition.
Aiming is provided by a Galileo Avionica TURMS fire control system, a muzzle referencing system, and a fully digital ballistic computer. The gunner's sight is fully stabilised and includes a thermal imager and laser rangefinder. The commander's station has a panoramic stabilised sight, an image-intensifying night sight, and a monitor displaying the image from the gunner's thermal sight. This allows Centauro, day or night, to engage stationary or moving targets while stationary or on the move.

Armour

The Centauro hull is an all-welded steel armoured hull, which in the baseline configuration is designed to withstand 14.5 mm bullets and shell fragments, with protection against 25 mm projectiles on the frontal section. The addition of bolt-on appliqué armour increases protection against 30 mm rounds.
The Centauro is also equipped with an CBRN warfare protection system, which is integrated with the vehicle's air conditioning system. The vehicle is also equipped with a four-barreled smoke grenade launcher mounted on each side of the turret and a laser warning receiver.

Propulsion

Centauro is powered by an Iveco V6 turbo-charged after-cooled diesel engine delivering 520 hp. This drives a ZF-designed automatic transmission, which is manufactured under licence by Iveco Fiat. The transmission system has five forward and two reverse gears. This drives eight wheels, each equipped with an independent suspension system, run-flat inserts, and a Central Tyre Inflation System. Braking is provided by eight disc brakes. Steering is provided on the first and second axles and at slow speed also with the fourth axle. The Centauro achieves road speeds above ; it can negotiate gradients up to 60%, ford water up to a depth of without preparation, and turn with a radius.

Combat history

The Centauro is currently deployed as part of UNIFIL forces in Lebanon.
It was deployed in the former Yugoslavia and Somalia, where the design proved successful. Centauro was usually employed to escort motor convoys, for wide area control, and for road patrols. While on convoy duty at Somalia, a platoon of eight Centauros engaged hostile positions during the battle of checkpoint Pasta, on 2 July 1993.
Centauros were also deployed during operation Antica Babilonia, the Italian involvement in the Iraq War. During this operation, a Centauro troop took part in the battle for the bridges of Nasiriyah on 6 April 2004, destroying a building where snipers were hiding.
In 2003, Spain deployed six 105/52 mm Centauros to Iraq for their troops' self defence.
Several Centauros were donated to Ukraine by Italy in 2025 to fight in the Russo-Ukrainian War.

Variants

Anti-tank

  • Centauro 105mm
  • Centauro 120mm
  • '''Centauro 2'''

    Other roles

  • VBM "Freccia"
  • Centauro 155/39LW
  • Centauro VBM Recovery
  • '''Draco'''

    Operators

Current operators

Primary operators

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Second-hand operators

Italy donated some Centauro to support the defence of other nations.
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Evaluation-only operators

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