C2 Ariete

Il_Signor_Regio · August 11, 2025, 5:48pm

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Description:

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On September 2018, the Italian Ministry of Defence presented its multiannual programmatic document regarding all military expenses and projects of all Italian armed forces branches. Among the army’s new programs, an interesting new study for a series of upgrades to the C1 Ariete main battle tank was present, marking that finally something was moving in the armored department. Indeed, various upgrade proposals for this platform were submitted in the span of nearly 20 years, but so far none of them were ever remotely taken into consideration, mainly due to the lack of money, a severe issue that has plagued the Italian army since the end of the cold war, when the government prematurely cut the armed forces’ funds, thinking that war was nothing but a remote possibility for this seemingly peaceful future. This decision put the armed forces, the army in primis, in a state of slumber, cutting many projects that were deemed not useful. The C1 Ariete program horribly suffered from these changes in events, as only a batch of what was supposed to be a consistent procurement was produced. As time passed with no major threats in sight, the C1 fleet was severely lacking modern equipment and spare parts, but no efforts were undertaken. And we finally arrive at 2018, when the previously mentioned study was finally begun. The proposed upgrades featured an upgraded version of the V12 engine, capable of achieving 1500 hp, new optics, smoke grenades, tracks, suspensions, turret actuators, ammunition (probably of German origin), command and control systems, and small changes. The armament was left in its current state; albeit with the introduction of new ammunition, the 120/44 cannon did not receive any change in the slightest. The only new addition was a 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun replacing one of the two Beretta MG42 7.62 mm MGs. According to some pictures taken from the OTO production line in 2023, a unit was also tested with a Hitrole remote turret for 12.7, 40, and 7.62 mm guns, which might be implemented in future upgrades. The protection of the tank itself was not increased, but the previously developed WAR and PSO kits that were only seen on rare occasions were introduced in a new configuration, featuring both of them at the same time. Aside from that, the PSO kit was upgraded in some capacity, but it’s not known if the protection level against the foes it’s supposed to counter was increased in any way. An anty mine kit was also added, increasing the total weight, including the armor kits, to 63 tons. This off course reduces mobility, but it is countered by the upgraded engine. In August 2023, the program was officially started, and 90 units were planned to be upgraded to the C2 standard, with an additional option of 25. In the meantime, a total of 3 prototipes (PT1, 2, and 3) were used as testbeds for the various upgrades for the final C2 configuration. And on july 18 2025, the first serial unit was finally delivered to the Italian army, marking the entry into service of this new version of the old C1 in service. Deliveries are scheduled to end in 2035, and probably the tank will receive new upgrades in the meantime, such as the rumored C3 standard, which will feature the previously mentioned Hitrole remote turret, an APS, the new Leonardo 120/55 gun, new armor kits, and other features that might make the tank comparable to the latest versions of existing designs, but only time will tell.

Vulcano 120

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Description: The Vulcano 120 is a brand-new guided 120 mm HEFSDS shell, developed from the already existing Vulcano 127 used on naval guns. The shell was officially presented on 16 july 2025, alongside the new 120/55 cannon, both made by Leonardo, at a firing range near the city of La Spezia. The features of the Vulcano 120 are unprecedented, as no similar shell was ever produced for a tank or a vehicle supposed to conduct engagements on the line of sight. Indeed, this new ammo opens a new realm of possibilities for a tank crew, being now able to engage a threat at long range with powerful and precise indirect fire. The Vulcano has a max range of 30 km, which could be increased thanks to the characteristics of the shell itself, but it’s mainly held back by the average elevation of a tank main gun. Thanks to its flight path, it can engage targets with a top attack approach, similar to various ATGMs like the Israeli Spike, being able to hit an enemy vehicle on its roof and outright destroy or severely damage it. A direct fire engagement mode was also mentioned, but it’s unclear how the shell is supposed to behave in such a situation. Speaking of damages, it is capable of completely destroying an IFV and either crippling or exploding an MBT as well; indeed, its high speed grants a modest armor penetration, even if the shell is just an HEFSDS. Lastly, a total of 3 different guide methods were implemented: GPS, SAL + GPS and IIR + GPS. The first one is only useful to hit stationary targets, while the second one can engage moving targets as well, granted that a unit, either a drone, an infantry squad, or another vehicle, guides the shell to the target using the buddy lazing technique, while the last one grantsthe platform using the Vulcano 120 full autonomy in engaging moving targets as well, thanks to the IIR seeker, which locks and guides the shell on target on its own. The Vulcano 120 was already tested and is scheduled to enter production soon. It will be mainly adopted by the Italian army, on every platform with a 120 mm gun, including the C2 Ariete as well.

Pictures

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