While in Rome today I spotted what I assume is the Italian version of our HMMWV or “Hummvee” and military personnel. Our tour guide said it was because a certain religious group and the truck of peace they love to drive into crowds of people and quickly changed the subject. She didn’t say it exactly like that but pretty close.

Anyone know what it is and who makes it?




Most of the soldiers had handguns on their hips but one guy had a sweet looking rifle. What kind of rifle is this?





Interesting choice for a police vehicle..


Given the crowd around Saint Peter’s Basilica I get why there was a surprising about of military and police around.



One more pic for the forum.

Rifle is a Beretta ARX

truck is probably Italian

Reverse image search says: Iveco VM90

VM90T for the tarped model you have.
3600 in service in Italy, per wiki
2.5 liter 4cyl with a whopping 100hp

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iveco_VM_90

quote:

Given the crowd around Saint Peter’s Basilica I get why there was a surprising about of military and police around.

The Pontifical Swiss Guard, the world's smallest active army, has been protecting the Pope and Vatican City since 1506. Stationed at the Vatican entrances, the Apostolic Palace, and during public ceremonies at St. Peter's Basilica, these highly trained guards blend Renaissance heritage with modern security.

The vehicle is an Iveco VM 90, a versatile light multi-role vehicle utilized by the Italian Army (Esercito).
It is specifically configured as a 4x4 off-road transport, often used for personnel movement, patrol, or ambulance roles.
The model features a characteristic angular armored body, often painted in a camouflage pattern for tactical environments.
These vehicles are a common sight in urban areas of Italy for security patrols, such as those related to anti-terrorism operations.
data obtained via google image search

Is the Beretta ARX any good? I’d never seen one in the wild before. They are sweet looking.

quote:

Originally posted by stickman428:
Is the Beretta ARX any good? I’d never seen one in the wild before. They are sweet looking.

That’s the real Beretta ARX-160. Beretta sold a civilian version in the U.S. which they renamed ARX-100 (and then confusingly Umarex sold a .22lr version with the proper ARX-160 name). The ARX-100 is decent. Piston operated, fully ambi, including swappable ejection side, and an QD barrel. Guess they didn’t sell too well (likely because they were overpriced) because Beretta discontinued importing them. Trigger sucked, but shooting sight made an improved trigger for it. I’m happy with mine.

Look for reviews on the ARX-100.

Vehicle is an Iveco VM 90T Torpedo. It's a lightweight, off-road tactical vehicle, that comes in a variety of configurations.
Iveco is a major Italian commercial truck and bus manufacturer that has a very robust military business channel.

Surprised you got photos, in the past I've asked to take photos of Carabinieri and Polizia vehicles and was given the no-no finger-wag sign. Back during a visit there was a big demonstration planned in Bologna and each intersection around the central area there was 20-30 Carabineri gathered in full riot kit and caged-up Sprinter vans parked nearby. Many of them were just hanging out with their van doors open and the insides were pretty tricked as the outside windows all griled-up with pull-down shield panels

The blue Alfa Romeo is from the Polizia di Stato, they're the main national police for day-to-day policing whereas the Carabineri (militarized law enforcement) is a branch of the military that can deploy internationally but also supports domestic policing duties. Given the terrorist & vandalism attacks on cultural landmarks around Europe over the last decade, and Italy having a high concentration of these historical & religious points of interest, not unusual to see an enhanced security posture.

OooOo, those shades n black berets some seriously drip