In relation to the characteristics of the system in question, the Defense Staff, in the technical note attached to the draft decree in question, points out that it is a new protected amphibious combat vehicle, of national design, capable of being projected in a autonomous from the Amphibious Naval Units of the Navy to land and continue the maneuver in depth.
In this regard, the Defense points out that currently the Landing Force is not equipped “with a platform capable of being projected from the sea from distances greater than the optical horizon and guaranteeing, once on land, the continuation of the maneuver in depth, ensuring the at the same time a high degree of protection for the transported personnel “.
The Defense Staff underlines, in particular, the wide spectrum of operations that the new vehicle will be able to perform, with particular reference to the capabilities of assault and amphibious raid, of support to Special Forces, of humanitarian assistance, of evacuation of civilians and cooperation on security and deterrence. In relation to these tasks, the new system is characterized by a greater ability to overcome obstacles to the current tracked vehicles.
The new system will also be equipped with adequate ballistic and anti-mine protection and weaponry “capable of guaranteeing a higher engagement capacity in high intensity scenarios”. Among the technical requirements of the vehicle, it is also highlighted both the considerable autonomy of the vehicle, able to guarantee the continuation of the maneuver in depth, and the integration, in a single platform, of the main functions and technical / tactical skills to today insured only by the combination of several types of vehicles in service (VTLM and AA V7).
With reference to logistical support, the platforms will be accompanied by adequate maintenance plans resulting from logistical engineering studies and such as to guarantee high levels of operational availability. For the entire duration of the technical life, the private industry will ensure the availability of spare parts and any technical updates for the resolution of obsolescence and for the execution of all maintenance interventions over time.
The program in question also provides for the carrying out of training courses by private industry and aimed at training teams of “military instructors” that will allow the F.A. to develop the training and training process for the personnel on their own.
In this regard, it should be noted that the training of qualified driving “instructors”, instructors of the platform operating personnel, maintenance technicians and operators / maintenance personnel for the management of all the systems and sub-systems that will equip the vehicle will be privileged. As regards the industrial profiles, the new platform is the result of a national design and, therefore, the entire production chain – in all its components including the platform / hull, interior fittings and on-board equipment – will be able to develop in Italy.
In the opinion of the Defense Staff, the industrial return “is therefore considerable, with positive repercussions on the employment level also in the direct and indirect activities, including support activities”.
The program, expected to start in 2021, is expected to end in 2034. In line with the provisions of the multiannual programmatic document for defense for the Technical requirements Industrial profiles Launch of the 4 three-year program 2021-2023, the overall forecast cost of the program is estimated at 326M €, aimed at the acquisition of 34 VBAs and related support ten-year technical-logistic.