Historical Note

The C1 Ariete was Italy's first entirely indigenous main battle tank. Work on the project began in the late 1970s, with the army's official requirements formalized by 1984. The first prototype, largely inheriting the layout of the export-oriented OF-40 was completed in 1986 and soon presented to the public alongside the Centauro wheeled tank destroyer. Series production did not commence until 1995, by which time the design was already falling behind its foreign counterparts. Initial plans to produce 700 units were scaled back to 200, which were subsequently fielded by the Italian Army.

In the early 2000s, an attempt was made to modernize a limited batch of vehicles using the WAR add-on armor kit. Originally developed for the prospective C2 Ariete, this kit was designed to significantly improve protection against modern anti-tank weapons. Despite successful trials, however, the kits never entered serial production, and the majority of tanks remained without any substantial armor upgrades.

Ariete WAR (Rank XIII)

Brief Overview

• Strengths: Excellent armor-piercing round, high mobility, and add-on armor effective against HEAT shells.
• Weaknesses: High vulnerability to kinetic armor-piercing rounds and a limited ammunition selection.
• Role in battle: A mobile main battle tank suited to active combat and point capture, armed with a superior APFSDS round capable of penetrating most opponents through the hull or turret.

In Battle

Italy’s own MBT, the Ariete, now fitted with the WAR add-on armor kit for improved frontal protection. Meet the new "Ram"!

In both appearance and gameplay feel, the Ariete closely resembles the German Leopard 2 – a fast tank with a strong power-to-weight ratio and a high top speed. Its main armament is the 120 mm OTO Breda cannon with a 44-calibre barrel, standardized for NATO ammunition.

The Ariete's ammunition load includes only two shell types – but what shells. For light targets, the HEATFS is the natural choice, while for enemy tanks, two types of APFSDS are available – among them the DM53, one of the best rounds in the game, with over 600 mm of penetration. A round of this caliber will punch through the armor of virtually any opponent in almost any part of the hull or turret.

The Ariete itself has fairly light armor. Even with the WAR kit appliqué elements fitted, the tank can only reliably withstand shaped-charge shells and non-tandem ATGMs. Most kinetic rounds fired by peer vehicles will penetrate the Ariete across all its vital zones. Striking first is not just a tactic – it is the only viable one for the Ariete WAR.

In the game, the Ariete WAR is best suited to an aggressive playstyle – its dynamics and superior armor-piercing round make it an ideal predator on any map and at any range. Staying in constant motion, knowing the maps, and anticipating the main routes of enemy movement are essential skills for any commander of this tank. In the end, skill is what decides the outcome.

Premium version of the Ariete WAR (Rank XIII)

The Premium variant is an extra tank for your hangar! The premium tank maintains the same performance as the standard variant, though it comes in a unique camouflage. With this premium tank you’ll be able to enjoy faster Silver Lion and Research Point gains, and earn some Golden Eagles in your battles.

* The characteristics apply to a fully upgraded vehicle with a level 100 crew.

If you’re lucky enough to unlock both the premium and the standard variants, you will be able to use them both in the same battle!

*Vehicle specifications and camouflages are still work in progress and may differ on release.

The Ariete WAR (Rank XIII) can be obtained in War Thunder Mobile (WTM) from Medium or Big Trophies in the Tank Campaign, or purchased from the in-game store using Season Bonds at the start of the new Season.