Italy Goes Ahead Vehicle Procurement Plan Despite Budget Restrains

The Italian government plans to buy 40 VTMM medium tactical worth $151 million from Iveco with an option for 40 more with the first batch to be delivered this year. Designed to carry a crew of five, the route clearance package will be deployed in Afghanistan next year. Italy continues to develop its armoured vehicles program amid heavy budget cuts. It’s developing the IED clearing vehicles package, ground radar and pushed decoy trolleys and related equipment to be deployed in Afghanistan. At present, Italy is operating a leased Maxxpro vehicle with a pushed decoy in Afghanistan. The Italian Army’s new anti-IED package is based on the 18-ton VTMM four-wheel drive vehicle built by Iveco also known as the medium protected vehicle uses pushed and wheeled decoys provided by European missile house MBDA. The government continues the acquisition of light multirole vehicles and upgrades to the Centauro wheeled tank. The 2012 defense budget outlined the need to trim programs such as F-35 joint strike fighters. Col. Enrico Rinaldi, head of the Army’s mobility systems office, said, “The Italian solution includes command and control and intelligence functions, and we may look to further strengthen that function, as well as introducing more robots in the mission. Vehicles will receive Oto Melara Hitfist turrets with 12.7mm guns and all will be equipped with the Selex Guardian jammer system".