Ariete: Italy’s Mighty Armored Warrior

The Ariete Main Battle Tank was developed in Italy in the mid-1980s as a replacement for the aging Leopard 1 and M60 tanks that were in service with the Italian Army at the time. The development of the Ariete was in response to the need for a modern tank that could perform a variety of missions and operate effectively in different environments. The first prototype of the Ariete was completed in 1988, and after several years of testing and refinement, the tank was officially introduced into service with the Italian Army in 1995. The Ariete was designed and produced by the Italian company Iveco Fiat Oto Melara Consortium, which is now known as CIO.

Design and Development of The Ariete Main Battle Tank

The design and development history of the Ariete Main Battle Tank began in the mid-1980s when the Italian Army expressed the need for a modern tank to replace its aging Leopard 1 and M60 tanks. The development of the Ariete was a joint project between the Italian companies Iveco and Fiat, and the defense company Oto Melara.

The first prototype of the Ariete was completed in 1988, and the tank underwent extensive testing and evaluation over the next several years. The testing included field trials and simulations to assess the tank’s mobility, firepower, and survivability. The design of the Ariete was refined based on the feedback received during testing, resulting in improvements to the tank’s armor, engine, and other systems.

One of the most distinctive features of the Ariete is its modular armor system, which allows the crew to adjust the level of protection based on the mission and the threat level. The modular armor consists of separate, interchangeable panels that can be easily removed and replaced, making it easier and faster to maintain the tank.

General Specification 

The Ariete Main Battle Tank Operational History

The Ariete Main Battle Tank has seen limited combat use since its introduction in 1995, but it has participated in several international military operations.

The first deployment of the Ariete was in 1999 during the NATO intervention in Kosovo, where the tank was used to provide support for Italian ground forces. The tank was also deployed to Iraq in 2003 as part of the Italian contingent in the US-led coalition forces. During this deployment, the Ariete was used primarily in urban warfare, where its mobility and firepower were critical.

In 2011, the Ariete was again deployed to Libya as part of the Italian military intervention in the Libyan Civil War. The tank was used to provide support for ground forces and to help secure strategic locations in the country.

While the Ariete has not been involved in any major conflicts, its combat deployments have demonstrated its effectiveness as a modern, versatile, and reliable armored vehicle. The tank’s advanced systems, modular armor, and offensive and defensive capabilities have allowed it to perform effectively in a range of environments and missions.

Ariete Main Battle Tank Upgradation

Since its introduction in 1995, the Ariete Main Battle Tank has undergone several upgrades and improvements to keep it current with evolving technologies and threats.

One of the most significant upgrades was the introduction of the Ariete Mk 2 variant in 2002, which featured a number of improvements to the tank’s systems and capabilities. The Mk 2 variant included upgrades to the tank’s fire control system, targeting system, and communications system, as well as improvements to its armor and mobility.

In 2012, the Italian Army began upgrading its fleet of Ariete tanks to the latest Ariete Evolution standard. The Ariete Evolution features a number of upgrades, including a new engine, an improved suspension system, and a new digital battlefield management system. The tank’s armor has also been upgraded with a new reactive armor system and additional protection against improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Another significant upgrade to the Ariete was the integration of the Trophy active protection system (APS), which was completed in 2020. The Trophy system uses radar to detect incoming threats, such as anti-tank missiles and then fires a countermeasure to neutralize the threat before it can strike the tank.

Ariete Battle Tank Capabilities

The Ariete Main Battle Tank is a modern and capable armored vehicle that has been designed to operate in a range of environments and perform a variety of missions. 

• Firepower: The Ariete is equipped with a powerful 120mm smoothbore gun that can fire a range of ammunition types, including armor-piercing, high-explosive, and anti-tank guided missiles. The tank also has a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun and a 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun.

• Armor: The Ariete’s modular armor system allows the crew to adjust the level of protection based on the mission and threat level. The tank’s armor has been upgraded over the years to provide increased protection against a range of threats, including anti-tank missiles and improvised explosive devices.

• Mobility: The Ariete is equipped with a powerful engine and advanced suspension system that allows it to operate effectively in a range of terrain, including rough and uneven terrain. The tank also has a maximum speed of 70 km/h on the road and 50 km/h off-road.

• Communication: The Ariete is equipped with a state-of-the-art communication system that allows the crew to communicate effectively with each other and with other units on the battlefield.

• Survivability: The Ariete’s advanced systems, such as the Trophy active protection system, provide enhanced survivability on the battlefield by neutralizing incoming threats before they can strike the tank. The tank also has a range of defensive capabilities, including smoke grenade launchers and a laser warning system.

Prototypes 

The development of the Ariete Main Battle Tank began in the early 1980s, and several prototypes were built and tested before the final production version was introduced in 1995. The prototypes were used to test various design features and systems and to evaluate the tank’s performance under different operating conditions.

• Ariete 1:- The first prototype of the Ariete was completed in 1986 and was known as the Ariete 1. This prototype was used to test the tank’s basic design and to evaluate its performance in mobility tests. The tank was equipped with a 120mm smoothbore gun and was powered by a German MTU engine.

• Ariete 2:- The second prototype of the Ariete, known as the Ariete 2, was completed in 1987 and was used to test the tank’s fire control system and electronics. This prototype was equipped with a new fire control system, which included a laser rangefinder and a thermal imaging system.

• Ariete 3:- The third prototype of the Ariete, known as the Ariete 3, was completed in 1990 and was used to test the tank’s armor protection and mobility. This prototype was equipped with a new armor system, which included advanced ceramic armor and was powered by a new Italian engine.

• Ariete 4:- The fourth and final prototype of the Ariete, known as the Ariete 4, was completed in 1993 and was used to test the tank’s final design before production began. This prototype was equipped with the final production version of the tank’s fire control system, targeting system, and communications system.

Variants

The Ariete Main Battle Tank has undergone several variants and upgrades throughout its service life with the Italian Army. 

• Ariete PSO: The Ariete PSO (Peace Support Operations) variant was developed in 2005 to meet the requirements of peacekeeping and urban warfare missions. It featured additional armor protection and was equipped with a bulldozer blade and mine roller for clearing obstacles and mines.

• Ariete C1: The Ariete C1 variant was introduced in 2007 and featured several upgrades, including a new communications system, a digital engine control system, and a more advanced fire control system.

• Ariete Mk2: The Ariete Mk2 variant was proposed in 2016 as an upgrade to the existing Ariete fleet. It was planned to feature a more powerful engine, a new active protection system, and improved electronics and sensors.

• Ariete NG: The Ariete NG (Next Generation) variant is a proposed upgrade to the existing Ariete fleet that is currently under development. It is expected to feature a more powerful engine, improved armor protection, and advanced electronics and sensors.

Read More:- Russian T14 Armata Tank and Ariete Tank vs Leopard 2 Tank.