Italy prepares to send 400 VCC-2 APCs to Ukraine: Condition and capabilities revealed
Photo: M113 armored personnel carrier (npu.gov.ua)
Italy has prepared a new package of military aid for Ukraine. Likely, the Italian version of tracked armored personnel carriers of the M113 type – VCC-2 Camilino – will be transferred, according to Il Messaggero and Defense Express.
Il Messaggero writes that Italy may also help Ukraine with a "satellite surveillance system," which will assist in planning operations. However, no details about this item are reported.
What's known about the armored personnel carriers
Defense Express writes that the VCC-2 Camilino is the Italian modernization of the American M113A1 vehicle. It received additional armor protection on the sides and an open turret.
According to open sources, up to 1,200 M113 APCs could have been modernized for the Italian army to the VCC-2 Camilino version. At the same time, these APCs have not been in service with the Italian military for some time. It is known that the last ten vehicles were decommissioned four years ago.
However, according to Defense Express, it is unlikely that all 400 vehicles that Italy will transfer to Ukraine will be in combat-ready condition. Possibly, some part will be used for spare parts, and another – will require capital repairs.
Armed Forces of Ukraine already have experience with VCC-2 Camilino
It is worth noting that back in 2024, VCC-2 Camilino were "spotted" in service with the National Police. It is also known that the Defense Forces, as of today, have hundreds of M113-type armored personnel carriers of various modifications in service.
Currently, the interesting question is how many VCC-2 Camilino armored personnel carriers Italy may have "in reserve" in total. According to open sources, in 2022 Italy allegedly scrapped about 722 VCC-2 APCs that were decommissioned and raised about 3 million euros for them.
This implies that Italy may have about 478 vehicles left, so it is likely that Italy will, in fact, transfer all VCC-2 Camilino it still has in storage.
Italy's aid to Ukraine
Previously, Italy has been helping Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion by Russian occupiers. The country has repeatedly extended the permission to supply military aid to Ukraine.
In particular, it was previously reported that the Italian government supported the extension of the permit to supply military aid to Ukraine. To continue supplying weapons, parliamentary approval was required.
In December 2024, it became known that the Italian government had already approved the 10th package of military aid to Ukraine. Later, Ukraine’s Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov reported that the next package with weapons from Italy was already on the way.
