The VBM – Freccia is a family of 8x8 armoured vehicles that was designed and manufactured for the Italian Army by IVECO for the hull, the engine and the suspension, and OTO Melara for the armament. The first variant to be developed was the IFV, the Freccia being equipped with a Hitfist turret, the same as the one installed on the Dardo IFV. [2]

The Dardo is an infantry fighting vehicle designed for the Italian Army as a replacement for the M113 APC. It is designed and built by the Iveco Fiat Oto Melara Syndicated Company based in Rome. Iveco is responsible for the hull and propulsion systems, while Oto Melara is responsible for the weapons and fire control systems.

Italian Freccia Infantry Fighting Vehicle, 8x8 wheeled of the modern Italian Army, Regio Esercito (2006)

On Monday 3 June 2024, Italy announced its intention to replace its fleet of Dardo infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) with a new tracked armoured vehicle in a programme estimated to cost 5 billion euros.

Jan 25, 2024 · ROME — Italy will pick industrial partners to start work on a major new €5 billion (U.S. $5.4 billion) tracked fighting vehicle program within “a few months,” a senior Italian Army official has...

Jan 26, 2025 · The Italian Ministry of Defence confirmed its intention to purchase up to 380 new tanks and more than 1,000 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) as part of two major procurement programmes. The first programme aims to replace the ageing C1 and C2 Ariete tanks with a fleet based on the KF51 Panther.

Veicolo blindato medio (VBM) Freccia 8×8 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) is a medium armoured vehicle developed by the consortium Iveco-Oto Melara. It is the first digitised vehicle to enter into service with the Italian Army.

Jan 26, 2025 · The A2CS program seeks to replace Italy’s aging fleet of VCC-80 Dardo infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), which were designed in the 1980s. Prototypes of the new A2CS vehicles are planned for development between 2026 and 2029.

Jul 29, 2022 · IVECO and OTO-Melara are stalwarts in the modern Italian defense industry. It comes as no surprise that the two teamed to produce the effective "Freccia" Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV).

Iveco and OTO-Melara are fixtures of the modern Italian defense industry. Not surprisingly, the two teamed up to produce the highly efficient Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) "Freccia".