During the 29th edition of Eurosatory 2026, the international defense industry exhibition organized by Coges Events and taking place on June 15–19 this year at Paris-Nord Villepinte near Paris, Italy’s Iveco Defence Vehicles, part of Leonardo Group, unveiled the Italian Navy’s (Marina Militare) amphibious wheeled armored personnel carrier.
Photos: Jakub Link-Lenczowski, MILMAG
The VBA is a SuperAV 8×8 amphibious armored personnel carrier fitted with the Leonardo HITROLE 12.7 lightweight remotely controlled weapon station, which can be integrated with a 12.7-mm Browning M2HB QCB machine gun, with more than 250 rounds; a 7.62-mm MG 3 or MG42/59 machine gun, with more than 700 rounds; or a 40-mm Mk 19 automatic grenade launcher, with more than 60 rounds. Depending on the armament fitted, the two-axis stabilized RCWS weighs between 140 and 170 kg, including a day camera, an uncooled infrared camera and an eye-safe laser rangefinder.
The VBA is 9.26 m long, 3.12 m wide and 2.79 m high. Its curb weight is 27.5 metric tons, with a payload capacity of 4 tonnes. It is powered by a 700-hp Iveco FPT Cursor 16 turbocharged diesel engine generating 3,000 Nm of torque, coupled to an Allison 4800 SP automatic transmission and an 8×8 driveline derived from the Centauro and Freccia vehicles. This allows it to reach a maximum road speed of 105 km/h. The approach angle is 41 degrees, while the departure angle is 38 degrees.
When swimming, the vehicle is propelled by two waterjets at speeds of up to 6 kt, or 10 km/h, enabling maneuvering in sea state 3. Its road range is 800 km, while its range in water is 40 nautical miles, or 64 km. The crew consists of one to three soldiers: commander, driver and gunner. The vehicle can carry between 9 and 13 soldiers, providing them with ballistic protection up to STANAG 4569 Level 3 and mine protection.
In January 2023, the Italian Navy selected 36 VBA vehicles. In addition, the Italian Armed Forces are interested in acquiring another 110 vehicles: 28 for the navy, 64 for the army and 18 for the engineering corps.
On April 17 this year, Spain’s Indra Land Vehicles, part of Indra Group, and Iveco Defence Vehicles signed an agreement for the delivery of 34 SuperAV vehicles to the Spanish Marine Infantry (Infantería de Marina) under the VACIM (Vehículo de Combate Anfibio) program. Chile is also showing interest in the SuperAV, including 450–500 vehicles for the army and 30 for the navy.
The SuperAV also formed the basis for the development, together with BAE Systems Inc., of the amphibious armored personnel carrier that won the ACV (Amphibious Combat Vehicle) program for the US Marine Corps (USMC).
Since May last year, IDV has also offered a non-amphibious variant, designated SuperAV Land, which Qatar is reportedly interested in acquiring in the hundreds.