Ukraine (bbabo.net), - The Italian Navy has signed a contract with Iveco Defense Vehicles (IDV) for the supply of 36 armored amphibious vehicles. The vehicles, which will have the configuration of an armored personnel carrier, will replenish the arsenal of military equipment of the San Marco Marine Brigade, reports today, January 12, The Defense Post.

The armored personnel carriers are expected to play "a decisive role in Italy's efforts to strengthen the operational readiness of the country's naval forces and the national capacity to project its naval power."

The contract was signed between IDV and the Land Armaments Directorate of the Italian Ministry of Defense.

The amphibious armored personnel carrier is an 8x8 all-terrain platform that can be launched from a landing craft and lifted onto it on the high seas. It is based on the SUPERAV 8×8, an amphibious vehicle platform used by the US Marine Corps.

The armored personnel carrier provides high mobility and an increased level of ballistic protection during landing operations. It also offers enhanced anti-mine capabilities and protection against improvised explosive devices.

With 700 hp FPT Cursor 16 engine. the combat vehicle has a maximum speed of 105 km/h on land and six sea knots (11 km/h) on the water.

The armored personnel carrier is equipped with a Leonardo HITROLE turret with a 12.7 mm caliber gun.

The Italian defense minister had previously been cautious about whether his country would be able to supply Ukraine with anti-aircraft systems, as requested by Volodymyr Zelensky. Air defense systems will be provided "if possible," Guido Crosetto said in an interview with Il Messaggero newspaper published on December 28.

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