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Fiat Iveco - Oto Melara B1 8X8 “Centaur” wheeled armoured personnel carrier Tests in US. Courtesy Defence Update.

Fiat Iveco / Oto Melara B1 8X8 “Centaur” wheeled armoured personnel carrier manufactured by Italy is not going to be tested by Russian Military. Russia is planning to move away from tracked to wheeled APC's. Four Centauro's have been already shipped, one with the original design including the 105mm gun; the second installed with a Russian 125mm cannon; and two others with NATO standard 120mm cannon and a turreted 30mm automatic gun.

Neither the army command, nor the main Armored Directorate have been invited for the tests. MoD pointed out that the new equipment is not familiar to troops and it doesn't fit any army formations that can test it. The study needs to be conducted if the APC's fit the Army.

Some allege that the APC's have Italian Army markings and serial numbers, while the company claims that it is new. The company is also against blowing up of the vehicles for testing, which observers are demanding.

Russian BTR-90 has a better power to weight ratio but Italian Centauro has better adaptation to heavier turrets as shown by integration of integration of 125mm cannon.