Unexpected Italian delivery bolsters Ukraine's defence with VCC‑2 aid

Usually, providing military aid to Ukraine is preceded by official declarations and promises. This was not the case with the VCC-2 transporters (a variant of the M113) that the Italians unexpectedly delivered to the defending army.

Recently, Italy has been increasingly focused on ensuring security within its borders. Not long ago, its parliament announced the purchase of over 130 modern Leopard 2A8 tanks and a similar number of technical support vehicles.

Simultaneously, Rome has tons of equipment to hand over to Ukraine. The list of weapons sent so far includes, among others, Storm Shadow missiles, whose transfers were kept secret for a long time. Now, the latest batch of VCC-2 transporters, the local version of the American M113, is being added.

How many VCC-2 vehicles reached Ukraine as part of the previously unannounced aid is unknown. It is also impossible to determine from publicly available photos whether the vehicles arrived at the front with any additional equipment and whether other vehicles were sent to Ukraine along with the VCC-2.

However, let us remember that the mentioned VCC-2 is essentially an upgrade of one of the most popular transporters in the world, the M113, which has been produced in numerous variants over many years - including vehicles serving as carriers of nuclear missiles.

The VCC-2 is a version that differs from the basic M113 in only a few details, such as increased engine power, improved armour (additional armour plates), and side openings in the vehicle for soldiers to conduct fire from inside the VCC-2.

The other parameters remain unchanged. The Italian VCC-2 measures over 5 metres in length, around 2.7 metres in width, and up to 2.1 metres in height. Its weight exceeds 10,886 kilograms, while the engine propels the vehicle to about 70 km/h.

The main armament is a single heavy machine gun of 12.7 mm calibre, although thanks to the use of firing ports in the sides of the vehicle, the defensive capabilities of the VCC-2 are at a higher level compared to the basic M113.

An important advantage of the transporter is also its ability to move in water. In such conditions, propulsion is provided by tracks, which accelerate the vehicle to a speed of about 6 km/h. The standard equipment of the vehicle also includes a fire suppression system in the engine section, as well as a contamination detector – although when moving through contaminated areas, the use of masks is necessary.