Italian tank destroyers idled in Ukraine amid training lag
According to the Bulgarian Military, Italian wheeled tank destroyers B1 Centauro, secretly delivered to Ukraine, are not firing at the Russians because they are stuck in a warehouse near Lviv. However, the problem is not the technical condition of the equipment, but rather the prolonged training of Ukrainian soldiers, who have not previously dealt with such vehicles.
The B1 Centauro was only spotted in Ukraine in February of this year, not during frontline battles, but during transport on trailers. The Italian government had not previously announced plans to hand them over to Ukraine. This is not the first such situation, as the country has previously kept secret the transfer of weapons to Ukraine, including self-propelled howitzers M109L or Puma 6x6 armoured personnel carriers.
B1 Centauro in a warehouse instead of on the front
In the case of B1 Centauro, the problem appears to be the prolonged training of Ukrainian crews. As a result, equipment with interesting parameters and capabilities is being held in a warehouse near Lviv.
The Bulgarian Military notes that the delay reflects significant logistical and training hurdles that could impede Ukraine's efforts to field these advanced vehicles in current combat scenarios. Although the B1 Centauro, known for its high mobility and substantial firepower, is seen as a means to enhance Ukraine's tactical capabilities, its continued absence on the front lines underscores the broader challenges of incorporating Western-delivered military equipment into the Ukrainian armed forces.
High firepower and mobility in one
The B1 Centauro, produced by IVECO – Oto Melara, is a wheeled tank destroyer with an 8x8 drive and a 520 hp engine. Despite a weight of about 25 tonnes, it can reach speeds of over 62 mph.
The Italians opted for this design, seeking a fast platform with high firepower to serve in rapid reaction units as a lighter and more manoeuvrable alternative to tracked main battle tanks.
It features a turret with a 105 mm gun (52 calibres long), capable of firing armour-piercing or high-explosive fragmentation projectiles. Additional armaments include 7.62 mm machine guns and a smoke grenade launcher. The B1 Centauro is also equipped with the TURMS (Tank Universal Reconfigurable Modular System) fire control system borrowed from the Ariete tank.
Bulgarian Military notes that the B1 Centauro is notable among wheeled platforms for its compelling combination of firepower and manoeuvrability. In comparison, the French AMX-10RC provided to Ukraine, though equipped with a 105 mm gun, weighs 15 tonnes and is designed more for reconnaissance roles than direct engagement, frequently functioning as mobile artillery in Ukrainian operations.
