- Category
- Latest news
Italy’s Tank-Killer Centauro B1 Rolls Into Frontlines in Ukraine With Air Assault Forces
- Authors
![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Ukraine’s Air Assault Forces have begun operating Italian-made Centauro B1 armored vehicles, marking the first confirmed deployment of the platform in Ukrainian service.
According to Defense Express and Ukraine’s 78th Air Assault Regiment, footage released by the unit shows a Centauro B1 equipped with additional armor and grid protection systems, adapted for local combat conditions.
The vehicle also features a collapsible grill attachment often seen on Ukrainian-modified armored platforms.
Reports of possible Centauro B1 transfers from Italy emerged as early as 2023, though visual confirmation had not appeared until now. The exact number of vehicles supplied to Ukraine remains undisclosed, as Italy traditionally withholds details of its defense deliveries.
The Centauro B1 is a wheeled tank destroyer developed by the Italian companies Iveco and Oto Melara. It features an eight-wheel drive configuration and weighs approximately 24 tons, making it light enough for air transport.
The vehicle’s primary armament is a 105 mm Oto Melara gun—a licensed Italian version of the British L7 rifled cannon—capable of firing standard NATO munitions. The crew consists of four members: commander, gunner, loader, and driver.
According to Defense Express, the Italian Army operates over 250 B1 Centauro vehicles. In 2020, Italy placed an order for the modernized Centauro II variant, which entered production for its armed forces.
The addition of Centauro B1 vehicles provides Ukraine’s mobile assault units with enhanced firepower and maneuverability, complementing other Western-provided wheeled armored platforms such as France’s AMX-10RC.
Earlier, Italy had resisted joining NATO’s PURL initiative, arguing that Ukraine already had sufficient supply channels for Western weapons.
-331a1b401e9a9c0419b8a2db83317979.png)
