Italian Armor for Ukrainian Paratroopers: Centauro B1 Already in Service

Ukrainian paratroopers have received Italian armored vehicles Centauro B1, which were donated as part of military assistance from Italy.

The 78th Air Assault Regiment demonstrated the equipment for the first time by posting a video of the armored vehicle with its soldiers.

Information about the transfer of Centauro B1s to Ukraine has been circulating since 2023, but visual confirmation has only just appeared.

The number of vehicles that have been delivered to the Ukrainian army remains unknown, as Italy traditionally does not disclose the details of its defense supplies.

The published footage shows that the armored vehicles are adapted to Ukrainian conditions, including cage armor and anti-cumulative grilles that increase the level of protection.

The Centauro B1 is a wheeled armored combat vehicle with cannon and machine gun armament, built on a four-axle chassis.

The vehicle has a combat weight of 24 tons and compact dimensions, which allows it to be transported by military transport aircraft.

The Centauro B1 crew consists of four people: a commander, a gunner, a loader and a driver.

The turret is equipped with a 105 mm Oto Melara cannon, which is an Italian copy of the famous British L7.

This rifled gun with a barrel length of 52 caliber uses standard NATO unitary rounds, providing high accuracy and firepower.

This year it became known that Italy is preparing a new military aid package for Ukraine, which will include 400 armored vehicles.

The basis of the package will be 400 M113 armored personnel carriers, vehicles that have proven themselves in combat. They provide transportation of personnel and can be equipped with additional weapons.