The OF-40 main battle was designed as a private venture in the late 1970s. It was aimed at the export customers from the Middle East. It was revealed in the 1980. This combat vehicle is in service with United Arab Emirates only. The first batch of 18 tanks has been delivered to UAE in 1981. Production of this MBT is now complete and it is no longer marketed.

   The OF-40 was jointly developed by Oto Melara and Fiat, with Oto Melara responsible for the overall design and production, and Fiat for the powerpack. It is worth mentioning, that in the 1970s Oto Melara license-produced 720 Leopard 1 tanks for the Italian Army. The OF-40 uses a number of components from the Leopard 1.

   The OF-40 is armed with a non-stabilized Oto Melara 105-mm rifled gun, which is similar to the British L7. It is compatible with standard NATO ammunition and fires armor-piercing, HE and HE-FRAG rounds. This gun is loaded manually. A total of 57 rounds of ammunition are carried for the main gun, however only 15 rounds are stowed in the turret bustle and are ready to use. Remaining rounds are stored in front of the hull.

   Secondary armament consists of two 7.62-mm machine guns. One of them is mounted coaxially with the main gun, while another one is mounted on top of the roof.

   Fire control system of this battle tank has a laser rangefinder and stabilized roof sight for commander.

   This main battle tank has an all-welded steel hull and turret. It is fitted with NBC protection and automatic fire suppression systems.

   The OF-40 has a crew of four, including commander, gunner, loader and driver.

   This main battle tank is powered by an MTU MB 838 Ca M500 turbocharged diesel engine, developing 830 hp. The same engine is used on the Leopard 1. The OF-40 can be fitted with a deep wading kit and can ford water obstacles up to 4 m deep.

Variants

   OF-40 Mk.2, an improved version fitted with a gun stabilization system, new Galileo digital fire control system and an LLTV camera mounted on the turret mantlet. In 1985 United Arab Emirates ordered second batch of 18 Mk.2 tanks. Furthermore all previous OF-40 Mk.1 tanks were upgraded to this standard;

   Armored recovery vehicle, fitted with a crane and capable of carrying a spare engine. UAE operate a small number of these vehicles;

   Chassis of the OF-40, with different engine, is used for the Palmaria 155-mm self-propelled howitzer and Otomatic 76-mm self-propelled anti-aircraft gun.