Progetto M40 mod. 65

Standard B 197 000 3 500 000

Progetto M40 mod. 65 197 000 6 100 000

Tank description:

The Progetto M40 mod. 65 is an Italian tier 10 medium tank.In 1969, the Italian military delegation visited Germany to discuss the purchase of Leopard tanks. However, not all members of the delegation agreed with the acquisition of foreign vehicles. The Italian military experts and engineers specified the main requirements for the future tank: the slope angle of armor plates, the cast turret and gun mantlet, as well as the powerful engine from Mitsubishi that allowed production of a small, light, maneuverable, but perfectly-armored vehicle. The British and Soviet design plans collected by SIFAR-SID were taken into account. Development of the project was discontinued at the drafting and modelling stage.The Progetto M40 mod. 65 marks the end of its Italian medium line.

In 1969, the Italian military delegation visited Germany to discuss the purchase of Leopard tanks. However, not all members of the delegation agreed with the acquisition of foreign vehicles. The Italian military experts and engineers specified the main requirements for the future tank: the slope angle of armor plates, the cast turret and gun mantlet, as well as the powerful engine from Mitsubishi that allowed production of a small, light, maneuverable, but perfectly-armored vehicle. The British and Soviet design plans collected by SIFAR-SID were taken into account. Development of the project was discontinued at the drafting and modelling stage.