The Ukrainian Air Assault Forces have begun operating Italian-made Centauro B1 wheeled tank destroyers, marking the first confirmed deployment of the platform in Ukrainian service. The vehicles were revealed in footage released by Ukraine’s 78th Air Assault Regiment. The images show the Centauro B1s adapted for local conditions, featuring foldable slat armor and additional anti-cumulative grids designed to enhance protection against modern battlefield threats.
Rumors about Ukraine acquiring Centauro B1 “tank destroyers” from Italy have circulated for nearly two years, but this is the first public confirmation of their presence on the battlefield. It remains unclear how many Centauro B1s have been delivered to Ukraine, whether deliveries are ongoing, or if all planned vehicles have already been transferred.
Developed jointly by the Italian consortium IVECO Fiat and OTO Melara, the Centauro B1 is an 8×8 wheeled anti-tank vehicle designed primarily for tactical reconnaissance and fire support missions. The vehicle’s main armament is a 105 mm rifled gun capable of firing a variety of ammunition types, including APFSDS-T and HEAT-T rounds. It also carries a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun and a secondary 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine gun mounted on the turret roof.
Weighing approximately 24 tons, the Centauro B1 operates with a crew of four — commander, gunner, loader, and driver. Powered by a 520-horsepower IVECO V6 turbocharged diesel engine, it can reach speeds of up to 100 km/h on roads and offers a range exceeding 800 kilometers. The vehicle’s independent suspension and central tire inflation system provide excellent off-road mobility, while its armor offers protection against ballistic threats and NBC (nuclear, biological, and chemical) hazards.
For Ukraine, the deployment of the Centauro B1 could strengthen rapid assault and reconnaissance capabilities across extended frontlines. Its balance of mobility and firepower makes it suitable for hit-and-run engagements and supporting airborne or mechanized units where heavier tracked armor is less effective. In a war defined by fluid movement and dispersed operations, such wheeled platforms may help Ukraine sustain momentum while reducing logistical strain on its armored forces.
