Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto has already presented the relevant decision to the Public Security Committee. Within this package, in addition to armored vehicles, a satellite surveillance system is also provided, which will be needed for planning reconnaissance directly on the line of contact.
The main component of the aid will be M113 VCC-2 armored personnel carriers, which have long earned a reputation as reliable equipment and are used in many countries. The version for Ukraine has enhanced crew protection — additional armor panels 6 millimeters thick are installed on the sides of the hull. The sides also feature firing ports and armored observation windows that allow the crew to keep the situation around the vehicle under control.
Italy has previously supplied such vehicles to Ukraine, but the current package is the largest: 400 units of equipment could significantly increase the mobility and protection of Ukrainian soldiers at the front.
According to expert estimates, Rome still has a considerable stock of such upgraded vehicles: from 1160 to 1200 armored personnel carriers have been modernized to the VCC-2 level. This means that Italy can continue to support Ukraine with real equipment, not just statements.
