Ukraine’s 78th Separate Airborne Assault Regiment has publicly showcased newly delivered Italian Centauro B1 wheeled fire support vehicles. The footage provides the first clear confirmation of a transfer long rumored in defense circles. The vehicles are adapted for Ukrainian battlefield conditions and fully integrated into frontline formations.
Key Features of the Centauro B1
The Centauro B1 is an 8×8 wheeled armored combat vehicle equipped with a stabilized 105 mm gun, designed for rapid mobility, direct fire support, and reconnaissance with lighter logistics than tracked tanks.
- Four-person crew capacity
- Fully traversable turret with stabilized main gun
- Effective against armored targets, fortifications, and field obstacles
- Wheeled design enables long-distance travel and easier air transport
Ukrainian variants include anti-cumulative grilles and foldable field grills to counter Russian ATGMs and drones.
Development History and Operational Logic
Developed in Italy in the 1980s and fielded in the 1990s, the Centauro family was designed to provide fast, mobile, gun-armed platforms capable of countering enemy armor without heavy tracked formations.
- Used in the Balkans, Lebanon, and Iraq for rapid deployment and credible firepower
- Ukraine applies the same principle to give airborne and assault regiments a highly mobile direct-fire capability
Tactical Advantages and Strategic Impact
While not as heavily armored as Soviet-era T-64 or T-72 tanks, Centauro B1’s mobility and reduced logistical footprint make it invaluable on the battlefield:
- Rapid sector reinforcement
- Recon support
- Escorting supply convoys
- Ambushing enemy mechanized thrusts
The vehicles’ presence signals that Italy and other European partners continue supplying combat-capable platforms adapted for mobile, high-tempo operations.
