Late in 2017, while in Latvia covering the first roulement of the Canadian-led eFP (enhanced Forward Presence) multinational NATO battlegroup based at Adazi, we seized the opportunity to snap the armour used by Italy’s 9º Reggimento Fanteria.
![](http://www.joint-forces.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/OBG-15-Freccia-300x200.jpg)
An Italian infantry platoon in FRECCIA IFVs with LINCE to the fore cautiously advancing to contact during SILVER ARROW ’17 [© Bob Morrison]
The 9th ‘Bari’ Infantry Regiment (9º Reggimento Fanteria) which maintains the traditions of the historic Queen’s Regiment of Savoy, is an all-volunteer battalion-strength (in peacetime) formation and part of the Pinerolo Mechanised Brigade. Based at Trani near the top of the heel of Italy, the battalion comprises the Headquarters Company, three Fusilier ( Fucilieri ) Companies and a Manoeuvre & Support Company.
VBM FRECCIA
After three rounds of post-Cold War restructuring of the Italian Army between 1991 and 2002 it was decided to re-equip the Pinerolo Mechanised Brigade with modern wheeled Infantry Fighting Vehicles to replace their aged M113 Armoured Personnel Carriers (known as VCC-2 in Italian service). This new vehicle, christened VBM (Veicolo Blindato Medio) FRECCIA, was built by Italian manufacturers Iveco and Oto Melara on the hull of the earlier B1 CENTAURO armoured anti-tank vehicle.![](http://www.joint-forces.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/OBG-12-Freccia.jpg)
Rear troop compartment is accessed and egressed through a near full width ramp which also has quite a large side-hinged door [© Bob Morrison]
![](http://www.joint-forces.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/OBG-13-Freccia.jpg)
A different FRECCIA pgotographed on a another day during SILVER ARROW ’17 – combat weight is 28 tonnes [© Bob Morrison]
![](http://www.joint-forces.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/OBG-14-Freccia.jpg)
The FRECCIA is built on the same hull as the CENTAURO anti-armour vehicle but was uparmoured for the infantry role [© Bob Morrison]
VTLM LINCE
![](http://www.joint-forces.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/OBG-21-Lince.jpg)
At a time when budget constraints are forcing the UK to cast its relatively small PANTHER fleet the Italians are doubling their LINCE fleet [© Bob Morrison]
![](http://www.joint-forces.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/OBG-22-Lince.jpg)
LINCE main armament here is a 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun – note also bumper-mounted self-recovery winch [© Bob Morrison]
![](http://www.joint-forces.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/OBG-23-Lince.jpg)
The armoured crew compartment is entirely between the axles for blast survivability – kit is carried in the rear compartment accessed through side doors hidden here by foliage [© Bob Morrison]
![](http://www.joint-forces.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/OBG-25-Lince-300x200.jpg)
The LINCE Ambulance is built on a stretched wheelbase chassis – the rear pod is also armoured [© Bob Morrison]
![](http://www.joint-forces.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/OBG-24-Lince-300x200.jpg)
Standard LINCE alongside the two-door cab Ambulance variant – note lack of winch on the latter [© Bob Morrison]
![](http://www.joint-forces.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/FCLV-London-001.jpg)
In November 2003 the UK MoD unveiled LINCE / PANTHER in Central London and confirmed it had been chosen out of five FCLV contenders [© Bob Morrison]
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