Typically, combat vehicle designers take the following path. First, a light machine is created, and then a heavier one is created on its basis. The Italians from the Iveco-Oto Melara company did exactly the opposite. First, they created a heavy wheeled tank destroyer "Centauro", and only then a full-fledged BMP "Frezcia" was developed on its basis.
For the creation of the BMP "Centauro" has undergone quite serious changes. First of all, he received a much more serious anti-explosive protection. The vehicle is also optimized for a crew and landing force of eight. The crew of the car is three people, two are in the tower and one is the driver.
BMP Frezcia has a longer and narrower hull than the Centauro and weighs 26 tons. The wheel formula of the machine is 8 × 8. All the wheels of the BMP are leading. It is also equipped with disc brakes on all eight wheels.
The vehicle's hull and turret are made of the latest in aluminum and ballistic steel layers to provide a higher level of protection.
4 options have been ordered for the army. The basic version of the BMP has a Hitfist turret manufactured by Oto Melara and a 25-mm KBA rapid-fire cannon manufactured by Rheinmetall. Such an infantry fighting vehicle can carry a troop of 8 people. The anti-tank version of the vehicle with a turret additionally contains two Spike LR anti-tank missiles manufactured by Rafael and a modern optoelectronic surveillance system manufactured by Selex Galileo Janus. The mortar version of the transporter is armed with a Thales 120-mm semi-automatic rifled mortar TDA 2R2M. The commander's version of the vehicle has a Hitrole turret armed with an Ota Melara 12.7 mm machine gun. The vehicle is also equipped with C4 systems (control, monitoring, communication and parameter calculation), which are an integral part of the army's centralized exchange network architecture. BMP Freccia is one of the first digital combat vehicles in the Italian army.
The front and lower armor of the Frezzy BMP can protect from 25mm to 30mm shells and 6kg of explosives in TNT equivalent.
It is also equipped with a system of collective defense against weapons of mass destruction.
BMP Frezzia is equipped with a turbocharged diesel engine Iveco 6V 550hp. (405kW at 2300 rpm) and a five-speed gearbox. The maximum speed of the machine with maximum load is 110 km / h.
The first IFV Frezzia was delivered to the Italian army in February 2009.
