Freccia IFV

The Freccia (Italian: Arrow) is an Italian 8x8 wheeled Infantry fighting vehicle in use with the Italian Army. The first batch of 249 vehicles were ordered to replace Cold War VCC-2 armoured personnel carriers of the Mechanized Brigade "Pinerolo" in Southern Italy. The Freccia is built by a consortium combining Iveco (hull, engine, suspension) and Oto Melara (armament).

Freccia
TypeWheeled infantry fighting vehicle
Place of originItaly
Service history
In service2006 – present
WarsWar in Afghanistan
Specifications
Mass28 tonnes (31 short tons; 28 long tons)
Length7.6 m (24 ft 11 in)
Width2.9 m (9 ft 6 in)
Height3.0 m (9 ft 10 in)
Crew3 crew (commander, gunner, driver) + 8 passengers
ArmorWelded steel hull with ceramic applications
Main
armament
Oerlikon KBA 25mm automatic cannon (200 rounds)
Secondary
armament
7.62mm co-axial machine gun (4,000 cartridges), optional 7.62mm anti-air machine gun, 8 smoke generators
EngineIVECO Diesel 5HP-1500 V6
405 kW (560 hp)
Power/weight22,2 hp/tonne
Suspensionhydropneumatic
Operational
range
800–1,000 km (500–620 mi)
Maximum speed 105 km/h (65 mph)
25–30 km/h (16–19 mph) off road

Design

The Freccia is up-armoured and improved variant of the wheeled Centauro tank destroyer fitted with the Hitfist turret (an evolution of the turret used on the Dardo infantry fighting vehicle), which is armed with an KBA 25mm autocannon and carries 200 rounds of 25mm ammunition. Two 7.62mm NATO machine guns are also fitted. Additionally, a pair of Spike MR/LR anti-tank missiles can be fitted on the turret. The Hitfist turret could theoretically also fit cannons and guns of up to 60mm calibre. Four 80mm smoke grenade launchers are mounted on each side of the turret. The fire control system is the same as for the Centauro reconnaissance/anti-tank version. The Freccia can carry up to eight combat-ready troops.

Procurement

In 2006, the Italian government ordered a first batch of 249 Freccia vehicles in the versions: 190 Combat, 36 Combat Anti-tank, 2 Command Post and 21 Mortar Carrier. All of these were delivered by 6 June 2017 and used to equip the Mechanized Brigade "Pinerolo".

In December 2019 a further 81 Freccia were ordered: 5 Combat, 36 Combat Anti-tank, 26 Command Post and 14 Mortar Carrier.[1]

An additional 300 Freccia EVO will be ordered: 180 in various versions to complete the accouterment of the Mechanized Brigade "Aosta", and 120 Freccia EVO Reconnaissance to equip the army's cavalry regiments.[1]

Variants
Freccia Mortar Carrier
  • Freccia Combat, with a two-man Hitfist turret with KBA 25mm autocannon
  • Freccia Combat Anti-tank, with a two-man Hitfist turret with KBA 25mm autocannon and dual Spike LR anti-tank missile launcher
  • Freccia Command Post, in two versions: Freccia Tactical Squad and Freccia Command Squad
  • Freccia Mortar Carrier, with TDA-2R2M 120mm mortar

Centauro II

In July 2018, the Italian Army signed a €159 million (USD $186 million) contract to acquire 10 Centauro II tank destroyers, the first tranche of a planned 150-vehicle order. The 30-ton Centauro II is based on the Freccia chassis with a two-man turret with a 120 mm gun. Additional improvements include a digital communications system, a 720 hp engine delivering 24 hp/ton, and wheels extending farther out from the hull for greater stability and better protection against mine blasts.[2]

Freccia EVO

The Freccia EVO is a development of the Centauro II with a remote Hitfist OWS turret with 30mm autocannon. The army plans to acquire 300 Freccia EVO, 120 of which in the Reconnaissance variant.[1]

Current operators

The Freccia EVO Reconnaissance and Centauro II will equip the army's cavalry regiments.

References
  1. "I programmi di acquisizione ed ammodernamento dell'Esercito Italiano". Analisi Difesa. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  2. Italy buys new tank — and it’s got much more going for it than its predecessor. Defense News. 26 July 2018.
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