Italy wants to replace the existing 268 BV206s with BvS10 articulated tracked vehicles. BAE Systems and Iveco Defense Vehicles (IDV) have agreed to extend their strategic cooperation for the delivery, as the companies announced on May 22. The collaboration will focus on localizing the design of Italian variants and manufacturing the BvS10, leveraging the strengths of both companies and the Italian workforce. The collaboration offers both important capabilities and national supply security.
"This partnership combines the technical expertise of both companies and ensures that the BvS10 is tailored to the needs of Italian defense," said Tommy Gustafsson-Rask, General Manager of BAE Systems Hägglunds.
Claudio Catalano, CEO of Iveco Defence Vehicles added: "With the agreement signed today, we will leverage the expertise, technological know-how and experience of IDV and BAE Systems to deliver the BvS10 to the Italian Army."
According to BAE Systems, the BvS10 armored vehicle is an articulated vehicle designed to provide comprehensive operational support where other vehicles cannot go. It is characterized by an extremely low ground pressure of 0.14 kg/cm² (less than a walking human). The vehicle's mobility systems ensure optimal maneuverability in different terrains, including snow, ice, rocks, sand or mud, as well as in steep mountainous regions. Thanks to its amphibious characteristics, the vehicle can also be used in flooded areas or coastal waters, transporting personnel and supplies to maintain strategic, tactical and operational mobility.
The modular design of the BvS10 enables configurations for different missions. BAE Systems offers variants for personnel transport, command and control, ambulance, repair and recovery, logistical support, reconnaissance and a weapon carrier with additional mortar capability. It is the perfect combination of mobility, payload and protection.
According to BAE Systems, the vehicle is currently operated by Austria, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Ukraine. The cooperation with IDV will facilitate the adoption of this land platform by the Italian Army and ensure logistical commonality within the countries that have already opted for the BvS10. Sweden, in conjunction with Germany and the UK, has ordered 627 BvS10s in 2022 and 2023 under the name Collaborative All-Terrain Vehicle (CATV) - 367 of them for Germany - to be delivered from 2026 (ES&T reported).
Apart from the aforementioned 268 BV206s to be replaced, there is no information on the scope and date of an order for BvS10s from Italy. Accordingly, no information is yet available on delivery times.
Editorial team / gwh