The Armed Forces of Ukraine have received Italian-made B1 Centauro wheeled tanks. One of these vehicles was spotted in a video released by the 78th Separate Air Assault Regiment, as noted by the Telegram channel Military Journal. The footage shows that the armored vehicle is already being used by Ukrainian troops on the battlefield and has been fitted with additional protection — including slat armor against shaped-charge munitions and a folding grill-style cover, commonly referred to as a "mangal."
This marks the first time these vehicles have been seen in service with the Ukrainian military. It remains unclear how many B1 Centauro wheeled tanks Ukraine has received, or whether deliveries are still underway or already completed.
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Earlier, we provided a detailed overview of the B1 Centauro's capabilities. The vehicle is equipped with a 105 mm rifled gun and, on the battlefield, will likely perform a role similar to that of France's AMX-10RC — serving as an ersatz self-propelled gun.
Rumors about Ukraine potentially receiving B1 Centauro tanks first emerged two years ago, in 2023. They were based solely on reports that these vehicles, along with Iveco VM 90 trucks, had been spotted being transported by rail somewhere in Europe — which, of course, did not constitute solid proof of their destination.
Moreover, if these vehicles had actually arrived in Ukraine back in 2023, it would have been difficult to conceal their presence for such a long period. Speculation about their transfer resurfaced earlier this year, when B1 Centauro tanks were once again seen during rail transport in Europe.
According to open sources, the Italian Army currently operates more than 250 B1 Centauro wheeled tanks. In June 2020, Italy also placed an order for the first production batch of the upgraded B1 Centauro II.
Read more: What Is Known About Italian B1 Centauro Wheeled Tanks and Their Potential Delivery to Ukraine
