Ariete 2

The Ariete main battle tank was developed by the Consorzio Iveco Oto Melara (CIO), a consortium of Iveco and OTO Melara, to serve as the primary armored platform for the Italian Army. Development milestones included the production of six prototypes by 1988 and the completion of trials in 1989. Deliveries of the C1 variant began in 1994 and continued through 2002. In 2023, a contract was signed to modernize a portion of the fleet to the C2 standard, incorporating systems derived from the Centauro 2.

The tank follows a conventional design layout with the driver at the front, the fighting compartment in the middle, and the engine in the rear. It is armed with a 120 mm OTO Breda smoothbore gun, which is fully stabilized and compatible with NATO-standard ammunition. The vehicle carries 42 rounds, with 15 stored in the turret and 27 in the hull. Secondary armament consists of 7.62 mm MG 42/59 machine guns in coaxial and roof-mounted positions. The C1’s TURMS fire-control system provides hunter-killer capabilities through panoramic commander sights, thermal imaging, and a digital fire-control computer that accounts for meteorological conditions and barrel wear.

Protection is provided by a blend of steel and composite armor, supported by an NBC system and GALIX 80mm grenade launchers for smoke and chaff deployment. The C2 upgrade enhances these capabilities with improved mine protection and two modular armor packages, designated PSO light and PSO plus. The modernization also replaces hydraulic turret drives with electric drives to improve fire-control accuracy and safety. Mobility for the C2 is provided by a 30.1-litre Iveco Vector 12 engine and an updated transmission, replacing the original Fiat MTCA V12.

The Italian Army remains the sole operator of the Ariete, maintaining the fleet within the 4th, 32nd, and 132nd Tank Regiments. Each tank battalion consists of three companies, each fielding thirteen vehicles. The platform has been utilized in domestic training and multinational exercises, such as the Strong Europe Tank Challenge. Though the vehicle was offered for export to Brazil, the platform did not meet specific weight requirements for that procurement program.