[Coming Soon] Ariete PSO: Armored "Ram"

Historical Note

Development of Italy's first main battle tank began in the late 1970s by the Iveco and OTO Melara consortium. The first prototype was completed in 1986, but funding issues delayed series production until 1995. A total of 200 Ariete MBTs were produced, which were subsequently modernized several times.

With the Italian contingent's participation in peacekeeping and urban operations, especially in Iraq, an urgent need arose to enhance the base vehicle's protection. A specialized PSO (Peace Support Operation) add-on armor kit was developed for these conditions. It consisted of composite appliqué blocks mounted on the hull and turret sides to increase the tank's survivability in urban combat. This protection was primarily designed to counter handheld anti-tank grenade launchers. Ariete PSO tanks modernized in this way were deployed by the Italian contingent during Operation Ancient Babylon in 2003.

Ariete PSO (Rank XIII)

Brief Overview

• Strengths: very good armor-piercing round, high mobility, add-on armor on hull and turret sides effective against chemical munitions.
• Weaknesses: high vulnerability to kinetic armor-piercing rounds, limited ammunition choice.
• Role in battle: mobile main battle tank for active combat and capturing points, equipped with an excellent APFSDS round that penetrates most opponents through their silhouette.

In battle

The Ariete PSO will become Italy's first modern MBT in War Thunder Mobile. This vehicle is built in the tradition of Western tank design, but as an indigenous Italian development, it possesses its own interesting features. The Italian "Ram" is starting its sprint!

The main advantages of the Ariete PSO are its good mobility and high firepower. Thanks to its powerful engine, the tank boasts a high power-to-weight ratio and excellent top speed. Its 120 mm gun is designed to use standard NATO tank ammunition. In battle, the Ariete PSO can utilize a HEATFS round and two types of APFSDS rounds, including one of the best in the game – the DM53. This round penetrates the silhouette of most opponents at any distance.

The situation with the tank's protection is less optimistic. The base C1 Ariete's armor is quite light and cannot withstand modern armor-piercing rounds from tank cannons. The PSO add-on armor kit on the hull and turret sides is designed to protect against handheld grenade launchers. In game conditions, this will improve the tank's survivability against HEAT munitions and non-tandem ATGMs, but the screens are unlikely to help against kinetic (APFSDS) rounds.

Low protection, good mobility, and excellent firepower define the Ariete PSO's playstyle. First and foremost, this is an active, aggressive style focused on capturing points and flanking maneuvers. The Ariete PSO cannot afford to let the enemy shoot it – it must always strike first and strike true!

In calmer scenarios, the tank can also handle the sniper role quite well. It can quickly reach a advantageous position, and its accurate gun with a high-penetration round will silence any enemy. Whichever path you choose, the Ariete PSO will perform its tasks excellently!

Premium version of the Ariete PSO (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.

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 PSO (Rank XIII) can be obtained in War Thunder Mobile (WTM) from Medium or Big Trophies in the Tank Campaign with the start of the new Season.