Iveco Defence Vehicles (IDV), a specialized division of Iveco Group, celebrates its 88th anniversary in July 2025. Founded in 1937 in Bolzano under the name Lancia Veicoli Industriali, IDV was created to meet the needs of the Italian Army in the production of military trucks. Joining the Iveco group in 1975 marked a fundamental step that projected the company on an international scale.
Today, IDV is a recognized leader in the defense vehicle sector, with approximately 2000 employees spread across six plants and various locations worldwide. At the core of this success is a solid strategic vision, which has allowed the company to grow progressively, becoming a reliable partner for the Armed Forces of numerous countries, from major NATO allies to the US Marines, and the Brazilian Army.
The company's evolution is closely linked to its ability to respond to modern challenges through cutting-edge technologies in the fields of protection, mobility, and systems integration. Bolzano, the historic headquarters, remains the technological and productive heart, a symbol of Italian industrial excellence worldwide.
As Claudio Catalano, CEO of IDV, stated, “we are a unique reality in our kind, with a long history of collaboration with the Armed Forces. We continuously invest to offer cutting-edge solutions, maintaining the values that have made us a reference in the defense industry.”
From the LMV Lince to the Centauro: innovation in the service of security
IDV's design capability is expressed in the creation of vehicles that have marked an era. First among them, the LMV (Light Multirole Vehicle), also known as Lince, produced in series since 2003. This light armored vehicle has become a symbol of Italian military engineering, appreciated worldwide for its high protection, mobility, and versatility. Over 4500 units are currently operational in numerous conflict theaters, where the Lince has significantly contributed to soldiers' safety, protecting them from threats such as IEDs.
On these solid foundations, the MTV (Multirole Tactical Vehicle) was developed, a 4×4 vehicle adopted by the Dutch Army, capable of offering high off-road performance, extreme modularity, and excellent protection. The MTV testifies to IDV's continuous evolution in the protected multirole vehicle sector.
Fundamental in the company's journey is the creation, in 1985, of the Iveco – Oto Melara Consortium (CIO), in collaboration with Leonardo. From this synergy, the most advanced wheeled armored vehicles were born, such as the Centauro armored car, followed by the Centauro II evolution, armed with a 105/120 mm NATO cannon. These vehicles stand out for mobility, firepower, and operational adaptability.
Alongside these, the Ariete tank – today in the C2 version – represents another pillar of the national land arsenal. The CIO has assumed the design authority of the main combat vehicles of the Italian Army, confirming its central role in international missions.
Global expansion and future challenges of the defense industry
IDV's experience in the armored vehicle sector has also favored the design of amphibious vehicles. In 2009, the company signed a contract with the Brazilian Army for the Guarani, a 6x6 vehicle built entirely in Brazil. To date, over 700 units are in service, alongside LMV and Centauro II, confirming the platform's reliability.
Another significant milestone came in 2018 with entry into the US market thanks to the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV), developed with BAE Systems and selected by the Marines. The ACV was recently also chosen by the Italian Navy for the renewal program of amphibious vehicles, further strengthening IDV's presence in the maritime segment.
IDV's range also includes tactical-logistic trucks, crucial for operational transport in extreme conditions. The company today provides vehicles to numerous European Armed Forces, including Spain, France, Germany, Romania, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. Configurations range from 4×4 models to 10×10, with and without protected cabins.
IDV's strength lies in the integration between technologies and cross-cutting skills: each segment – from armored to multirole vehicles, from amphibious to trucks – contributes to a coherent, highly specialized, and always updated system.
Looking to the future, IDV has initiated an important transition towards autonomous innovation with the IDV ROBOTICS division, dedicated to unmanned vehicles. In a rapidly changing world, where conflicts constantly evolve, the ability to adapt and innovate is essential.
As Catalano concludes, “recent international tensions require constant updating of vehicles and strategies. IDV is ready to do its part, with skills, technologies, and production capabilities that put soldier safety at the center of every development.”
With 88 years of history, IDV represents one of the spearheads of the Italian defense industry, projected towards a future of cooperation, innovation, and global security.
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