The Nato Support and Procurement Agency (Naspa) has awarded a three-year contract to Iveco Defence Vehicles for the conceptual development and operational testing of robotic and autonomous systems, focusing on the integration between unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and autonomous aerial systems (UASs), connected through an interoperable and distributed command and control system.
Experimental operations, conducted with the direct involvement of national and allied armed forces—particularly the Italian Army and other Nato formations—will include activities such as logistical resupply, advanced medical evacuation, reconnaissance of lines of communication and Istar missions (intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance).
Leading the initiative, Idv coordinates a consortium of European technology companies with complementary expertise: Lem, Siralab and Rebel Alliance, all specialising in innovative solutions for robotics applied in operational environments. Among the key technologies already being tested are Viking, a new-generation autonomous ground vehicle, and the Light Multirole Vehicle (Lmv OU), a versatile platform that can operate in manual, remote-controlled or fully autonomous modes, and can be adapted to different missions thanks to a range of interchangeable modules.
Iveco explains that the core of the project lies in the development of an interoperable and distributed command and control architecture capable of simultaneously coordinating multiple autonomous systems in dynamic operational environments. The goal is to generate a measurable tactical advantage: enhanced mission effectiveness, reduced risk to personnel, optimised resource use and an update of operational doctrines.
This assignment is a factor in the ongoing sale of Idv, for which Iveco is currently in talks with several potential buyers. Four bidders have submitted binding offers ranging from 1.5 to 1.9 billion euros; the Leonardo–Rheinmetall consortium, despite putting forward the lowest bid, remains the frontrunner thanks to backing from the Italian government and the possible activation of golden power. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2025, alongside parallel talks reported by Reuters to be underway between Exor and Tata for the sale of the rest of Iveco, excluding Idv.
