Italy reactivates ageing arsenal: Are tanks bound for Ukraine?
Italy is significantly reactivating its weapon reserves, reports the Bulgarian Military portal, which cites satellite images published online. The images show how Italian warehouses are being emptied, primarily of Leopard 1 tanks, M113 armored personnel carriers, and M109L guns.
Satellite images depicting Italian warehouses where the local army stores weapons intended for long-term storage have sparked numerous speculations among analysts regarding where the missing machines from Italy's reserves are being sent. Rome has not yet issued statements regarding the reactivation of equipment from military warehouses.
However, as noted by the Bulgarian Military portal, some of the mentioned vehicles might possibly be heading to Ukraine. It is unclear, though, in what specific condition these reactivated vehicles are. It cannot be ruled out that the Italians are clearing out examples from the warehouses that require appropriate preparation to be handed over as part of aid to Ukraine.
Bulgarian Military explains that delivering machines from emptied warehouses to Kyiv is very likely since some transfers from Italy to Ukraine were not officially announced. The truth, however, surfaced only after the appearance of photos or videos confirming the presence of Italian weapons on the front lines. As an example of this type of operation, the Bulgarian Military cites the sighting of the Italian Puma armoured personnel carrier in Ukraine, about whose transfer there were no official reports.
Equipment from italian warehouses
What specific vehicles are being discussed regarding their reactivation from Italian warehouses? First and foremost, these are Leopard 1 tanks (most likely in the A5 IT modernisation). While these are indeed old constructions, dating back to the 1960s, the A5 variant from the 1990s introduced many modifications that significantly increased the vehicle's utility and made it so that even in 2024, the Leopard 1 A5 can pose a threat on the front lines.
This vehicle is equipped with the EMES 18 fire control system, which is characterized by the presence of a thermal sight and ballistic computer. Additionally, the Leopard 1's defensive capabilities are provided by a 105 mm rifled gun, which, when using APFSDS-T ammunition, can easily penetrate the armour of Russian T-72B tanks.
Satellite images from Italy also reportedly show M113 armoured personnel carriers, among the world's most popular vehicles of this type. They are in service in over 40 countries. Before the introduction of today's famous M2 Bradley, the M113 was the primary vehicle in the arsenal of the American infantry. It is powered by an engine generating nearly 300 horsepower, which propels the vehicle to about 65 km/h (40 mph). The M113 is armed with an M2HB heavy machine gun of calibre .50.
The last machine observed by the Bulgarian Military is the M109L, a type of self-propelled howitzer primarily valued for its straightforward operation. The Italian modernisation of this weapon features a lengthened barrel of 39 calibres (155 mm), which increased its firing range and improved accuracy. This allows the M109L to shell enemy positions up to 30 km (19 miles) away. Additionally, the turret of this weapon the Italian army uses includes a 7.62 mm machine gun.
