Italian «vintage» military for Ukraine
Date: 4 novembre 2025 Author: Balthazar’s Feast
https://Babylonianemire.wordpress.com/2025/11/04/Italian-vintage-military-for-Ukraine/
Controversial Italian military aid to Ukraine
In the context of ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Italy, as a NATO and EU member, regularly supply military assistance to Kiev. Since the beginning of Russia's invasion in 2022, Rome has already sent respective support packages, including ammunition, air defence systems and armored vehicles. However, part of this aid is controversial – it is about equipment withdrawn, stored for decades in warehouses and frequently in close scrapping. fresh reports propose shipment of hundreds of old M113 armored transporterswhich, despite their age, can play a key function on the battlefield. An overview of Italian media and online sources reveals how this decision balances alliance solidarity with applicable challenges.
M113 Transporters: From the 1950s, consecutive to the front
The main character of the discussion is 400 armoured vehicles M113, known in the Italian army as VCC-1 variants “Camllino” or VCC-2. These. caterpillar infantry transporters designed in the USA mid-1950s, were widely utilized by the Italian armed forces up to the 1970s’, before they were replaced by more modern models specified as Dardo or Lynx KF-41.
Stored in a depo in Lenta close Vercelli (Piedmonte region), many of them have not been utilized in years, and any were planned to scrape or sale for spare parts For example Italy has previously given Pakistan respective twelve pieces for this purpose.
Minister for Defence of Italy Guido Crosetto confirmed in May 2025that These vehicles will hit Ukraine as part of the 11th aid package, at Kiev's request. M113 are not tanks, but light transporters capable of carrying up to 10 soldiers, equipped with device guns cal. 12.7 mm (as M2 Browning). Their advantage is simplicity of service, mobility (speed up to 60 km/h, scope over 500 km) and low profile, making it easier to usage in trenches or in hard terrain. However, critics, specified as Gianandrea Gaiani's expert from the website Analisidifesa.it, emphasize their vulnerability to contemporary threats: light aluminium armour does not defend against dense device guns, artillery or FPV drones.
Italian media reports the vehicles were partially upgraded before dispatch – they are equipped with satellite surveillance systems for better coordination. Ukraine, which lost hundreds of its own transporters (e.g. in the Kursk region), appreciates these gifts despite defects. Kiev modifies them on site, adding drone cages and protective nets. Controversy builds up around the method state. Some sources describe them as “carri cannon da rottamare” (shipping vehicles), stressing that many of them are partially inoperable and are only suitable for parts. In 2022, NATO collaborated with Italy to demilitarize more than 700 specified vehicles, suggesting that shipping is simply a way to get free of warehouses..
Older Haubice M109: Lesson from the Year 2023
The M113 communicative is not isolated. In 2023, Italy sent Ukraine 13 (or about 20 by another estimates) self-propelled Haubic M109L cal. 155 mm, besides originating in depo in Lenta. The mentioned 60′ wagons, kept in the open air, i.e. in rice fields close Vercelli for over a decade, proved almost useless upon arrival. Ukraine had to spend millions on refurbishment of engines and targeting systems, and in the end many of them were considered unrecoverable due to deficiency of spare parts from the US.
Investigation “New York Times” then accused Italy of sending “trash” why The Italian Ministry of Defence powerfully denied that Kiev was aware of the state of equipment and agreed to repair on site. This “beffa” (a mockery) – as the paper called it “La Stampa” – revealed logistics problems: A secret operation to send them to Germany for repairs ended in failure, and the depo in Lenta, full of about 1000 M109 and 3000 tanks, became a symbol of the Italian “treasure” of outdated weapons.
Other elements of aid and global context
The M113 package complements another gifts: older but efficient M2 and MG device guns, air defence systems fall (obsolete) and advanced SAMP-T (three units, which requires Italy to replenish its own supplies). In October 2025, the media reported an additional 400 “blindati” (armoured), including a column of 20 Puma IFV combat cars with “Hitrole” turrets from Leonardo – those, though older, underwent upgrades.
Italy is no exception: Germany sent the old Marder 1 and Leopard 2 A4, United Kingdom – haubice AS90 and Denmark – the French Caesars. Experts like Andrea Gaiani argue that this kind of practice does not weaken the Italian army – Rome retains 150 Ariete tanks and modernizes forces – but is utilized to dispose of supplies before switching to fresh models.
Importance for Ukraine and conclusions
Despite criticism, old Italian equipment saves lives on the front. Ukraine, with immense losses, appreciates the simplicity and availability of M113 – Tested in Vietnam and during the Jom Kippur WarToday adapted to the drone era. According to the Ukrainian portal Military, These wagons work in transport and fire support, requiring minimum training.
Italian aid, although controversial, highlights NATO's challenges: solidarity versus efficiency.
Depo in Lenta, full of relics of the Cold War, recalls that The war in Ukraine is not only high-tech, but besides recycling history. I wonder how long Italy will “clean” its warehouses at the expense of an ally?
VIDEO: October 8, 2025: Italy begins delivery of armoured transporters VCC-1 Camillino (model modification M11370′) and (M548 from the 1960s’) to Ukraine: https://www.facebook.com/615686452059/videos/litalia-sta-iniziando-a-consegnare-allucraina-i-veicoli-czati-di-trasporto-v/697649240020006/
