The C. 202EC "Esperimento Cannoni" (Italian for "experimental armament") was a variant of the Italian C.202 fighter developed during the first half of World War II to improve the effectiveness of the Italian Air Force against Allied heavy bombers. Its main distinguishing feature was the 20-mm MG 151/20 autocannons mounted in the wing pylons. The project was necessary as Italy came under increasingly intense Allied bombing by early 1943. The air defense forces urgently needed more effective armaments against heavy bombers. The Regia Aeronautica had previously fought mainly against British Spitfire and Tempest fighters and had only occasionally encountered light frontline bombers. Therefore, they had not given much thought to the firepower of their guns. However, after facing more formidable opponents in the form of the B-25, B-24, B-26, and B-17, they had to rethink the design of their fighters. It was then that the idea arose to modify a number of aircraft by replacing their armament with more powerful weapons. As a result, about 50 EC-version aircraft were built in series production, and about 100 were modified at airfields.

The C. 202EC was introduced in Update 1.69 "Regia Aeronautica". It is a very capable fighter, which, however, requires advanced piloting skills. Its main advantages include increased firepower with two MG 151/20 cannons that can easily take down big aircraft and fighters. Otherwise, it’s the same C. 202: it maneuvers well, has a decent climb rate and top speed, but is extremely vulnerable due to its large number of fuel tanks, which pose a high risk of catching fire or exploding after being hit.