Recently, unconfirmed reports emerged indicating that Italy is sending a shipment of new weapons to Ukraine, including the wheeled B1 Centauro tanks. Italy indeed has a fleet of 255 units of these armored vehicles.
The speculation was fueled by a photograph showing one Centauro on a trailer, but the location, timing, and circumstances of the image remain unknown. This uncertainty raises questions about whether these armored vehicles are truly being supplied to Ukraine.
This speculation is particularly notable given that similar unconfirmed reports about their transfer surfaced back in 2023. At that time, the basis for such claims was the documentation of the transportation of these wheeled tanks by rail, accompanied by descriptors like "secret" and others.
Moreover, by 2025, it may become clear that not all military equipment transported within Europe is necessarily headed for Ukraine. Furthermore, the transportation of military hardware by Italy serves as a strong example that even the trident on a yellow-blue background does not signify that this weapon is destined for Ukraine. Currently, there are no hints suggesting that Centauro tanks could strengthen the Armed Forces of Ukraine, although there are also no official denials.
However, the question of the necessity for various types of weaponry remains. When discussing the B1 Centauro, it's essential to note that this is a genuine wheeled tank, unlike the French AMX-10RC, which is primarily a reconnaissance vehicle and, in the context of war, is used as an ersatz self-propelled howitzer. Nevertheless, it is unlikely that the B1 Centauro would effectively fulfill any other operational roles.
Overall, we are talking about an armored vehicle designed in the mid-1980s, offering protection against 14.5 mm caliber fire all around and 25 mm in the frontal projection. It is armed with a full-fledged rifled 105 mm gun with a barrel length of 52 calibers from Oto Melara. Unlike the F2 BK MECA L/48 on the AMX-10RC, this gun uses standard unified ammunition. A digital fire control system with a thermal imaging channel and laser rangefinder, which is compatible with the Ariete tank, ensures firing accuracy.
The B1 Centauro's mobility is powered by a 520 hp Iveco V6 turbo-diesel engine, providing a specific power of 19.35 hp/ton at a weight of 24 tons. A unique feature of the vehicle’s chassis is that not only the first and second axles are steerable, but, at low speeds, the fourth axle is also engaged, resulting in a turning radius of 9 meters. It is worth noting that the vehicle is not amphibious.
The primary role of the B1 Centauro and its place on the battlefield is to defend against potential enemy naval and airborne assaults, which is quite relevant for Italy considering its military theater. Thus, the main idea behind this vehicle is to rapidly deploy tank caliber fire where the enemy possesses only light armored vehicles. This is why, besides Italy, Spain and Jordan also operate the B1 Centauro. Its new version, the Centauro II, equipped with a 120 mm gun and other innovations, has been ordered not only by Italy but also, not without complications, by Brazil.