Italy Reveals New VBM 155 SPH 10x10 Howitzer with 70 km Range and Two-Soldier Crew.

Italy’s defense industry has revealed a new generation of wheeled artillery with the VBM 155 SPH 10x10, a long-range self-propelled howitzer designed to deliver precision firepower while reducing crew exposure on the battlefield. Unveiled by Iveco Defence Vehicles and CIO (Consorzio Iveco Oto Melara) at Eurosatory 2026, the system highlights a growing shift toward highly automated artillery platforms capable of striking deeper targets with greater operational flexibility.

The new self-propelled howitzer combines a fully unmanned turret and Leonardo’s 155 mm/52-caliber cannon on a dedicated 10x10 armored chassis, enabling precision engagements at ranges of up to 70 km with a crew of only two soldiers. Its blend of automation, mobility, and extended reach reflects broader modernization efforts to increase survivability, accelerate deployment, and strengthen long-range fires in future high-intensity conflicts.

Related topic: Eurosatory 2026 Online Show Daily News

Scale model of the VBM 155 SPH 10x10 wheeled self-propelled howitzer displayed by Iveco Defense Vehicles and CIO at Eurosatory 2026 in Paris, France. (Picture source Army Recognition Group)

The unveiling of the new howitzer at Eurosatory 2026 marks the first public presentation of the VBM 155 SPH concept and provides insight into the future direction of Italian artillery modernization. Although only a scale model was displayed, the technical specifications released by CIO indicate that the system is intended to compete in the growing market for highly automated wheeled artillery systems, where mobility, survivability, and rapid deployment have become key operational requirements.

The VBM 155 SPH has been developed around a newly designed 10x10 armored chassis rather than a direct derivative of the Italian Army's existing Freccia 8x8 infantry fighting vehicle. While the designation VBM, standing for Veicolo Blindato Medio, follows Italian military nomenclature, the vehicle's dimensions, weight, payload capacity, and wheel configuration indicate that it is a dedicated artillery carrier optimized for long-range fire-support missions.

According to technical data presented during the exhibition, the vehicle measures 11.1 meters in length, 2.95 meters in width, and approximately 3.34 meters in height with the turret installed. The system has a gross vehicle mass of 40 tonnes and can carry a payload of up to 22 tonnes, providing sufficient capacity for a large ammunition stock and a fully automated turret architecture.

Mobility is provided by a 530 kW (720 hp) Iveco diesel engine coupled to an automatic transmission. The powerpack enables road speeds exceeding 100 km/h while maintaining strong off-road performance. The vehicle is capable of climbing gradients of 60 percent, traversing side slopes of 30 percent, crossing trenches up to 2.5 meters wide, and fording water obstacles up to 1.5 meters deep without preparation. Independent hydropneumatic suspension contributes to ride quality, cross-country mobility, and firing stability.

At the heart of the system is a fully automated unmanned turret developed by Leonardo. The main armament consists of a 155 mm/52-caliber cannon compatible with NATO-standard ammunition as well as advanced extended-range and precision-guided projectiles. A Leonardo HITROLE Light remote weapon station, armed with a 12.7 mm machine gun, provides close-range self-defense against ground threats and low-flying aerial targets.

One of the most notable aspects of the VBM 155 SPH is its extremely small crew requirement. The technical data displayed by CIO confirms that only two personnel—a commander and a driver—are required to operate the vehicle. Both crew members remain inside the armored hull, while the turret itself is completely unmanned. This design significantly improves survivability by reducing crew exposure during firing operations and allows artillery units to operate with lower manpower requirements.

The automated ammunition handling system represents another major technological feature. The vehicle reportedly carries approximately 30 rounds ready for immediate use, together with around 180 modular propellant charges. Automatic loading of both projectiles and propellant charges allows the system to sustain a high rate of fire while reducing crew workload and shortening engagement cycles.

According to information released at Eurosatory, the VBM 155 SPH can achieve a maximum firing rate of up to 10 rounds per minute. The artillery system offers full 360-degree turret traverse through a slip-ring architecture and elevation angles ranging from approximately -2.5 degrees to +70 degrees, enabling engagement of targets across the entire battlespace without repositioning the vehicle.

The system's firepower is further enhanced through compatibility with Leonardo's Vulcano family of precision-guided artillery ammunition. While conventional base-bleed rounds provide engagement ranges of approximately 40 km, Vulcano projectiles extend the maximum range to around 70 km. This capability enables artillery units equipped with the VBM 155 SPH to strike command posts, logistics centers, air-defense systems, artillery batteries, and other high-value targets far beyond the reach of conventional tube artillery.

Long-range precision engagement has become a priority for NATO and European armed forces following lessons learned from recent conflicts. The ability to engage targets at extended ranges while maintaining high accuracy reduces ammunition expenditure and increases operational effectiveness against dispersed and heavily defended enemy forces.

The VBM 155 SPH has also been designed around the increasingly important shoot-and-scoot doctrine. Technical information presented by CIO indicates a typical engagement cycle of approximately 15 seconds from firing to movement. This rapid displacement capability reduces vulnerability to counter-battery radars, loitering munitions, armed drones, and precision-guided strikes, which have become major threats to conventional artillery units.

Survivability is further enhanced through the vehicle's armored hull design and integrated protection measures. The specifications mention anti-mine and anti-IED protection, a low-profile hull architecture, anti-skid technologies, anti-lock braking systems, and an integrated central tire inflation system. These features improve both crew protection and operational mobility across a wide variety of terrain conditions.

The vehicle also incorporates advanced observation and battlefield management systems. Driver situational awareness is supported by a day-and-night vision suite featuring forward-facing periscopes and a 360-degree surveillance capability. The command architecture integrates Leonardo communication systems, navigation equipment, and digital fire-control technologies designed to support network-centric operations and interoperability with NATO command-and-control networks.

From an operational perspective, the VBM 155 SPH reflects the broader evolution of self-propelled artillery toward greater automation and reduced crew requirements. The concept shares several characteristics with emerging systems such as Germany's RCH 155, including an unmanned turret, automated ammunition handling, and protected crew positions within the hull. These technologies are intended to increase operational tempo while reducing vulnerability on increasingly transparent battlefields dominated by drones, sensors, and precision-guided weapons.

For the Italian industry, the unveiling demonstrates the continued cooperation between Iveco Defence Vehicles and Leonardo through the CIO joint venture in developing advanced land combat systems. By combining a dedicated 10x10 wheeled chassis, a fully automated artillery turret, and compatibility with long-range precision-guided ammunition, the VBM 155 SPH positions itself as a potential future contender in international artillery modernization programs.

As armed forces continue to prioritize long-range fires, strategic mobility, and enhanced survivability, the VBM 155 SPH offers a glimpse of Italy's vision for next-generation artillery. Although currently presented as a scale model and technology demonstrator, the concept incorporates many capabilities increasingly sought by military planners, including reduced crew size, high automation, extended-range precision-strike capability, and rapid shoot-and-scoot performance suitable for future high-intensity combat operations.

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Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years of experience in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis of military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.