Trumpeter 00332 Italian C-1 Ariete MBT

The C-1 Ariete is a modern Italian Main Battle Tank. Design works began in the early 1980s, and serial production continued in 1995-2002, ending with the production of 200 vehicles of this type. The drive is provided by a single IVECO-Fiat engine V-12 MTCA with urine of 1,300 KM. It is armed with a single 120mm OTO Melara L / 44 gun and machine guns. MG 42/59 cal. 7.62 mm

The C-1 Ariete was a successor to the Leopard 1 tank used by the Italian army. Development of the new Main Battle Tank was commissioned by a consortium of IVECO-Fiat and OTO Melara. Compared to its predecessor, the C-1 has much more effective main weapons, much more modern and effective FCS (fire control system) and better armor. The latter is composed of steel and composite elements, being in its assumption very similar to those used on the M1 Abrams, Leopard 2 or Challenger II cars. In 2002, a development version of the tank called C-2 Ariete or Ariete Mk. 2, which has a more modern suspension, automatic loader and a more powerful engine. At present, the Italian army is the main user of the Ariete vehicles.