Brazilian-Assembled Vehicles to be Delivered from 2027

Centauro II, developed by the Iveco-OTO Melara consortium (CIO), has won the Brazilian Army competition for the Viatura Blindada de Cavalaria Média Sobre Rodas (VBC Cav – MSR 8×8 – Medium Wheeled Armoured Cavalry Vehicle), the service’s Logistics Command announced on 25 November.

Developed as a successor to the Centauro B1, the vehicle weighs approximately 30t and mounts the third-generation Leonardo HITFACT MkII turret (also offered for modernization of Leopard 1A5 tanks), armed with a 120mm/45 calibre gun, is in operation with the Italian army and is under negotiation in several countries. The official contract signing is scheduled for 5 December.

The project, approved on December 11, 2020, covers acquisition of 98 vehicles (originally 221), with logistical support, and a simulation system. Some 55 companies originally showed interest, with 28 vehicles on offer, reduced to six by November 2021. With the Army’s risk reduction requirement for the vehicle to be already in series production, the short list was reduced to three candidates in October this year: LAV 700 AG, ST1-BR and Centauro II.

The schedule calls for delivery of the first two vehicles, built in Italy, early next year and delivery of the first Brazilian-assembled vehicle in 2027.