http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20120512/173407220.html

In tank killer configuration! 4 total ordered in the first test batch. If all goes well Italy will get a contract for 300.

dont you want to try out some stryker mgs while your at it.we can get a batch shipped asap.

These are good vehicles, but what is wrong with Russia? Can she not develop something like this on her own? What about mounting a Sprut like turret onto a BTR hull?

There was something like that in the work with the BTR-90's. But they don't want BTR-90 anymore. And are waiting for a new 25 ton wheeled platform, which is long way of still i assume. So this while i suppose in the meantime will do nicely.

And frankly will be a good purchas. Unlike those french floating brothels.

Politics. This deal was struck when Berlusconi was Vlad's best friend. Berlusconi was at Vlad's inauguration this week too. Russia and Italy have twin cultures of corruption and graft so the leadership gets along well together and you get deals like this. They wont trial any other Western vehicle precisely because all the right palms have been greased already.

I think it's healthy for Russia to concentrate on being world leaders in the areas where they develop their own systems and buy the rest from abroad.

What canons will they use, Russian or NATO standard ?

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No idea yet. They are testing 105 and 125mm guns on it. The 2nd batch of vehicles with the 30mm canons should be Freccias and not Centauros actually. The Freccia is a considerable bit more modern and I suspect they really want a look at it more than these big gun Centauros. The numbers they are looking to buy are really only enough for 2 brigades -- basically just for Chechnya. Its unlikely they are going to be replacing BTR's army wide with something Italian. This is just a stop gap measure until something domestic materializes.

I didn't a quick 2 minute search through google, and didn't see any pages dedicated to the new Russian AFV project. Does anyone know, if there any Russian pages?

if you want something newer you have only to ask

http://www.military-today.com/apc/iveco_superav_images.htm

The Iveco SuperAV is a fully developed prototype of amphibious armored personnel carrier. It was developed as a private venture and revealed in 2009. This new armored vehicle is being proposed for Italian Army, however it is mainly aimed at the export customers. It is speculated that this armored vehicle was developed from the VBM Freccia 8x8 IFV, which is currently operated by the Italian Army. The SuperAV is lighter than the Freccia and also has amphibious capability.

This armored personnel carrier can transport 12 troops plus the driver. This number is reduced to eight troops, if this armored personnel carrier is fitted with a two-man turret. Occupants enter and leave the vehicle via the rear doors or roof hatches.

Vehicle is powered by Iveco Cursor turbocharged multi-fuel diesel engine, developing 500 - 560 hp, coupled with automatic transmission. This APC is fitted with central tyre inflation system and run-flat tyres. The Iveco SuperAV is fully amphibious. It can operate in Sea State 2 and beyond. On water it is propelled by two waterjets. It is worth mentioning, that this APC is being proposed in two body widths - 2.7 m and 3 m. The later has greater amphibious payload. Vehicle can be airlifted by the future Airbus A400M transport aircraft.

The new Barnaul UTD-32TR engine that was supposed to go on the BTR-90 was a 660hp monster. Sad to see them going for vehicles that are not only heavier but over 100hp lighter in the engine department. Politics.