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Italian Military Unveils New Tank as Parliament Ponders Funding
Sputnik ^ | 20.10.2016

Posted on 10/21/2016 8:25:42 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki

On Wednesday, Italian defense officials and industry representatives gathered at a military base on the outskirts of Rome to view a demonstration of Rome’s newest tank, the Centauro II.

The exhibition took place on October 19 at the Cecchignola Army range. Parliament is still deliberating on whether to approve the $520 million for the combat vehicle, as Mauro Moretti, CEO of aerospace technology company Leonardo, and Deputy Defence Staff Chief Lt. Gen. Danilo Errico watched the prototype traverse ditches and steep hills.

The Centauro II is more powerful than the original, with a 720-horsepower engine, a digital-communication display and a 120 mm cannon. It was built through a joint venture between Leonardo and Italian vehicle manufacturer Iveco, and if funding is approved, the Italian army will acquire 150 of the tanks.

Defense News quoted Lt. Gen. Francesco Castrataro speaking at the exhibition saying, "The new Centauro is a tank destroyer which protects troops, rather than a tank, which would be weigh[ed] in at double the maximum 30 ton weight of a Centauro. It is essential to combine the new Centauro with the Freccia, which is a troop transporter. It is agile, flexible and can do more than 100 [kilometers per hour] on a road." It was noted that the Centauro II "is cheaper, lighter and more flexible than a tank, with the same destructive power as a tank."

The general also pointed out that the eight wheels extending from the hull can serve as a buffer from mines the tank may run over, and addressed funding concerns, saying that the Italian Defense Ministry can recoup its investment from royalties if enough of the vehicles are sold outside of the country.

Read more: https://sputniknews.com/europe/201610201046562578-new-italian-tank-unveilled-funding/


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: armor; centauro; italy; tank
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The Centauro II is equipped with a wide range of digital systems and sub-systems. (Leonardo photo)

1 posted on 10/21/2016 8:25:42 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
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To: sukhoi-30mki

No treads = tank?


2 posted on 10/21/2016 8:31:04 PM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either satire or opinion. Or both.)
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To: sukhoi-30mki

Are they made out of recycled Fiats?


3 posted on 10/21/2016 8:34:00 PM PDT by Catmom (We're all gonna get the punishment only some of us deserve.)
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To: Catmom

Hey. That’s my ancestors :)

The Roman Empire they ain’t, though!


4 posted on 10/21/2016 8:38:51 PM PDT by dp0622 (IThe only thing an upper crust conservative hates more than a liberal is a middle class conservative)
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To: sukhoi-30mki

That’s an armored car.


5 posted on 10/21/2016 8:41:17 PM PDT by MrEdd (Heck?Geewhiz Cripes, thats the place where people who don't believe in Gosh think they aint going.)
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To: sukhoi-30mki

Curb-Feelers?


6 posted on 10/21/2016 8:43:10 PM PDT by EnglishOnly (Fight all out to win OR get out now.)
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To: sukhoi-30mki
Nobody in their right mind would buy an Italian tank. Not ever Italy.

Just look at it.

Shoot out a tire and then cover it in gasoline.

Poof.

7 posted on 10/21/2016 8:53:58 PM PDT by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
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To: Mariner

even


8 posted on 10/21/2016 8:54:41 PM PDT by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
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To: sukhoi-30mki

Standard Italian battle tank features: twice as many reverse gears as forward gears and dual rear-view mirrors ...


9 posted on 10/21/2016 9:13:26 PM PDT by catnipman (Cat Nipman: Vote Republican in 2012 and only be called racist one more time!)
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To: BenLurkin
thank you...
10 posted on 10/21/2016 9:16:00 PM PDT by Chode (You Owe Them Nothing - Not Respect, Not Loyalty, Not Obedience, NOTHING! ich bin ein Deplorable...)
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To: BenLurkin
Rubber tires, indeed. Unless they're solid rubber, which we doubt.

Speaking of Italian tires, here's a joke:

Have you heard of the Italian tire?

Dey through snow.

Dey through mud.

But when dey go flat,

Dey go wop, wop, wop, wop...

Hey, it's an oldie I heard at an Italian restaurant I worked at as a teenager in NW Ohio in 1974.

11 posted on 10/21/2016 9:32:49 PM PDT by W. (Blue eyed murder in a size five dress...)
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To: sukhoi-30mki

It would be fun in rush hour traffic.


12 posted on 10/21/2016 9:58:08 PM PDT by lurk (TEat)
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To: W.

Probably best left in 1974.


13 posted on 10/21/2016 10:07:01 PM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either satire or opinion. Or both.)
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To: sukhoi-30mki

Used to be that speed and maneuvering could offset relatively light armor. You didn’t have to worry about surviving a hit if it was unlikely that you would get hit. However, with modern sensors, computer fire control, and ever more capable ordnance... The chances of a first round hit on just about any target are pretty good. I don’t think this armored vehicle will prove very survivable. Well, unless it’s sensors and weapons significantly out range the adversary.


14 posted on 10/21/2016 10:39:34 PM PDT by ThunderSleeps (Stop obarma now! Stop the hussein - insane agenda!)
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To: sukhoi-30mki

It seems nobody read the article, including the editor who wrote the title. It’s not a tank, it’s a tank killer. That sucker will do 62 MPH.


15 posted on 10/21/2016 11:11:00 PM PDT by Jeff Chandler (Everywhere is freaks and hairies Dykes and fairies, tell me where is sanity?)
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To: Jeff Chandler

This vehicle was designed to carry out tactical reconnaissance, fire support and territorial defense tasks. During numerous peacekeeping missions Centauro tank destroyers have been used to escort convoys and for road patrol missions. The Centauro proved to be a successful design. By modern standards it is considered as a fire support vehicle, rather than a tank destroyer. Even though the Centauro can engage main battle tanks, it is not normally used for such engagements. Its main role is to support infantry in medium brigades.


16 posted on 10/21/2016 11:18:57 PM PDT by Jeff Chandler (Everywhere is freaks and hairies Dykes and fairies, tell me where is sanity?)
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To: sukhoi-30mki

God, they’re getting ready to invade Ethiopia again!!!


17 posted on 10/22/2016 1:34:03 AM PDT by PLMerite (Lord, let me die fighting lions. Amen.)
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To: sukhoi-30mki

I wonder how it takes an RPG hit? Looks like the only thing it might scare is a truckload of rebels wirh AK-47s


18 posted on 10/22/2016 3:07:13 AM PDT by bjorn14 (Woe to those who call good evil and evil good. Isaiah 5:20)
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To: bjorn14

Yes indeed. Nothing more than bait for RPGs and ATGMs.


19 posted on 10/22/2016 4:19:24 AM PDT by donozark (My thoughts are not very deep. But they are of and inquisitive nature.)
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To: sukhoi-30mki
It is a tank destroyer, not a tank. This is the current Italian Main Battle Tank, the C1 Ariete:


20 posted on 10/22/2016 4:40:30 AM PDT by Petrosius
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