Brazil Orders First Serial-Production Centauro II 8×8 Tank Destroyers

Leonardo, through the CIO Consortium, has signed an initial serial-production contract with the Brazilian Army to deliver seven Centauro II 8×8 wheeled tank destroyers armed with 120mm smoothbore cannons.

Under the contract, the Brazilian Army will receive the first seven vehicles of an overall 98-vehicle program, with deliveries planned in annual tranches.

The deal follows the successful completion of operational testing and delivery of the two vehicles comprising the initial evaluation batch.

Selected under Brazil’s Viatura Blindada de Combate de Cavalaria Sobre Rodas program in 2022, the Italian-built vehicle will replace the Brazilian Army’s aging 6×6 Cascavel fleet in cavalry and infantry units. It was selected over General Dynamics’ LAV 700 and China’s ST1-BR.

Centauro II

Featuring the HITFACT MkII turret, a 720-hp propulsion system, and an H-drive transmission, the Centauro II combines the firepower associated with a modern main battle tank with the strategic mobility of a wheeled platform.

Its fully digitized and interoperable architecture incorporates advanced observation, fire-control, communications, crew ergonomics, and protection systems. The digital fire-control system includes thermal cameras, a laser rangefinder, and stabilization.

The Centauro II is currently the only vehicle in service integrating a 120mm gun on a wheeled platform. It can engage targets up to 5 kilometers (3 miles) away, reach a top speed of 105 kilometers (65 miles) per hour, and has an operational range of up to 800 kilometers (497 miles).

Designed for missions ranging from national security to peacekeeping and support operations, the vehicle has also been ordered by the Italian Army, which has purchased 150 units.

Source: Defence Post