On July 18th, 2025, CIO (Consorzio Iveco-Oto Melara), the consortium created in the 1980s to design and produce a new series of armoured vehicles for the Italian Army, delivered the first upgraded Ariete C-2 Main Battle Tank (MBT) to the Italian Army
The first Ariete C-1 was delivered to the Italian Army in 1995; 30 years later the upgrade programme has come to fruition, with the delivery of the first Ariete C2, the upgraded version being designed to solve a series of inherent issues that affected the MBT since inception, the 1,300 hp powerpack choice has been much criticised since the very beginning, as well as a series of obsolescence, while also adding some new capabilities.
The event took place at the “Cecchignola” military compound in Rome, and was attended by Lt.Gen. Carmine Masiello, the Italian Army Chief of Staff, and Claudio Catalano, the Chairman of the CIO.
“Today’s ceremony represents a crucial milestone in a continuous and significant evolution: the delivery of the Ariete C2 tank, is a symbol of innovation and collaboration between the Army and the Defence industry. It is not only a technical achievement, but also the confirmation of a shared commitment to grow and jointly address the complex challenges of the future,” Gen. Masiello said. “The Ariete modernization programme has allowed the Italian defence industry to rebuild a strategic expertise in the tracked vehicle sector,” Claudio Catalano said.
The qualification process has been quite long due to two major issues; the initial contract was known as AMV (Ammodernamento Mezza Vita, Mid-Life Update), a second layer being added at a later date, when the Army required the upgrade to also include the addition of a new command and control system as well as an improved communication suite. The second issue that delayed the delivery of the upgraded MBTs was linked to vibration issues, which derived from the decision to adopt a new track to increase the vehicle footprint, reducing specific pressure on ground, thus enhancing mobility.
Starting from the Ariete AMV, one of the main changing is related to the powerpack. The engine remains the original Iveco V-12, however through the introduction of electronic injection and a new electronic control unit, known as New Engine Monitor (NEM), the output was increased from the original 1,300 hp to the current 1,500 hp, maximum torque also being increased from 4,615 to 5,000 Nm.
The power increase led to the adaptation of the other automotive elements; final reduction gears were replaced by heavy duty gears, the ZF LSG-3000 transmission remained the same but with some beefed-up elements, the braking system was improved, while cooling remained mostly untouched. EDR On-Line understood that the upgrade also allowed to align some elements of the MBT to comply with the most recent standards, regulations having evolved along those three decades.
As anticipated Army requirements asked for new tracks, an issue that deserves careful consideration. The CIO considered different types of tracks, the tracks issue involving of course Leonardo, IDV and the customer, with the aim to find the optimal solution. It was soon clear that adopting a track that works perfectly from one type of tank to another is all but simple; the selection was made and the KNDS type 570FT track was selected; however the number of sprocket teeth between the Leopard 2 and the Ariete is different, respectively 11 and 13. An 11 teeth sprocket was installed on the prototypes of the Ariete AMV, but this, together with the different form factor of the track, which is wider to decrease the ground pressure, generated considerable vibration issues, which were immediately perceived by crew members and then measured. A lengthy process was initiated to find a solution to the vibration issue, which led to a new track, always by KNDS, known as 844, which is designed for a 13-tooth sprocket, coming therefore to the original number of teeth. Besides being an issue for on-board subsystems, vibrations have a considerable impact on crew fatigue, a major operational issue in combat as well as in training. The new track increases the contact surface with the ground by 3,5%, reducing ground pressure accordingly.
This is obviously related to the MBT mass. Neither the AMV nor the C-2 configurations were subjected to an increase of the protection level, therefore the Ariete mass variation is marginal. The C-2 basic configuration has a mass of around 55 tonnes, the war add-on armour bringing it up to 59.5 tonnes. The PSO (Peace Support Operations) kit, which improves the protection on the side, brings it to 61 tonnes. Adding the MPK (Mine Protection Kit) leads to the maximum mass of 63.3 tonnes. Of course adding 200 hp to the original powerpack also increases the power-to-mass ratio, improving the tank mobility, one of the weak points of the C1, especially when fitted with add-on armour.
Another improvement part of the Ariete AMV package was related to the turret, hydraulics having been replaced by electric actuators, which reduce risks and improve reliability and maintainability. These are beefed-up versions of those used on the Centauro 2 armoured car, which is also armed with a 120 mm gun. The adoption of electric actuators reduced both angular speed as well as angular acceleration, however the company claims that on an MBT this has a minimal impact, considering targets’ speed. The elevation arc is -7.5°/+19°; looking at data provided in the past these seem to have limited both depression and elevation; in fact data provided in the C-1 configuration, -9°/+20°, were the mechanical limits, EDR On-Line was explained, while those of the C-2 are the limits imposed to electric actuators to avoid mechanical contact. The fire control system is completely new, as this has been taken from the Centauro 2 with minimal adaptations. Both commander and gunner optronics have been replaced with last generation digital systems by Leonardo, respectively the Attila D and the Lothar SD, a new ballistic computer being also installed. As for communications, the SINCGARS radios are replaced by the Leonardo SDR VQ-1 four-channel radio set, SATCOM being added (this was already part of the AMV configuration) in the form of an L3Harris AN/PRC-152A set. The C-2 configuration also includes an add-on to the intercom system that allows the MBT crew to communicate with infantry deployed in the vicinity. A full review of the antenna set has been carried out to optimise performances and reduce the geometric profile, antennas being provided by Elettronica Marittima, an improvement on the AMV configuration as well as on the Centauro 2 solution.
The Ariete C-2 is being fitted with the C2N EVO command and control system, where the N stands for Navigation. In the C-2 the tank commander will have two screens, one dedicated to fire control, the second to command and control. Also the tank driver will benefit from considerable improvements; he will now have a digital cockpit, that not only will show all data related to the engine and tank mobility, but it will also include navigation information, another add on from the C-2 configuration, which also includes the resolution of various obsolescence. The digital cockpit fully exploits data generated by the NEM, in a fully digital dialogue between the two systems.
The C-2 maintains the same firepower of the C-1, with the 120/44 mm smoothbore gun with 42 rounds available. The coaxial machine gun remains in 7.62 mm calibre, the same of one of the two pintle-mounted air defence machine guns, one at the commander’s hatch and the second at the gunner’s hatch, the former being however a 12.7 mm weapon, thus improving close protection range and lethality.
On July 16th 2025 Leonardo demonstrated the new 120/55 mm smoothbore gun at the Italian Navy ballistic test centre at La Spezia, this ordnance having been designed considering the future MBT that should soon be acquired by the Italian Army. This obviously take into consideration the use of airburst munitions, namely the Rheinmetall DM-11 round which is already being integrated into the Centauro 2. Should the Army decide for a further upgrade of the Ariete (C-3?), this new gun might well be a solution. Not only, a remotely controlled weapon station might be installed, following the turret-on-turret concept, as it has been done on the Centauro 2; depending on the choice, this might also provide a certain C-UAS capability.
As for protection, the CIO has done a study of a possible solution, which might be easily integrated thanks to the new vetronic open architecture adopted.
The development contract included the production of three prototypes. These are in different configurations, the last one being at the C-2 standard. The tank delivered on July 18th is the first production item; the CIO plans to deliver four more tanks by year end, last deliveries being scheduled in 2030. A total of 90 Ariete C-1 will be brought to the C-2 configuration, the production contract signed in August 2023 being worth EUR 848.8 million. It contains an option for 35 more tanks.
According to information available, the upgraded tanks will be assigned to the 132nd “Ariete” Armoured Brigade headquartered in Pordenone, north-eastern Italy, and more precisely to the 32nd and 132nd Tank Regiments. Currently these deploy 41 MBTs each, however the Italian Arm should add one company per regiment to cope with the standard NATO TOAs for tank units, hence the two regiments should in the future field 54 tanks each. If this will be confirmed the options should also be confirmed, also considering that some C-2s will be assigned to the Cavalry School base in Lecce, southern Italy, and at least one or two to the Transports and Materials School, where maintainers are trained.
Photos courtesy CIO and Italian Army