Armored vehicles

The Danish Army has received five Armadillo type armored infantry fighting vehicles for testing. The Armadillo is one of several options considered by the Danish Army. Tests are expected to continue through the summer, leading to final selection in February 2014.

BAE Systems received a $28.7 million contract to upgrade 11 M88A1 Medium Recovery vehicles to the M88A2 Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift Evacuation System (HERCULES) configuration.

The German company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) announced it has signed a contract with the Emirate of Qatar to modernize the Emirate’s single armored brigade, at an investment of over $2 billion. The acquisition is part of a comprehensive modernization program the Emirate’s military forces is undergoing in recent years.

The Brazilian Army has already inducted over 86 VBTP-MR GUARANI 6×6 APCs armed with remote weapon station under the URUTU-3 modernisation programme to replace their EE-11 URUTU by 2015.

Lockheed Martin recently demonstrated the ability of its DAGR laser guided rocket to launch from a ground vehicle during a series of flight tests at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. During the test, DAGR and two unguided Hydra 70 rockets were launched from a pedestal launcher mounted in the bed [...]

Ukraine state-run arms exporter Ukrspetsstroi will deliver 110 tank powerplants, engines and related parts to Pakistan, under a $50 million contract. Kharkov-based Malyshev Plant, a state-run enterprise specializing in armored vehicles and their components, will produce the engines under a four-year contract that was signed recently. According to Russian news [...]

Russia is offering the BMP-3 to India, as a substitute or long term ‘stop gap’ positioned to replace the rapidly obsoleting BMP-2. If India decides to cancel its long overdue FICV, the BMP-3 could eventually take its place as India’s future ICV.

Supacat HMT Extenda selected for the Australian Special Forces retains a high level of commonality with the Australian Army’s existing `Nary` HMT fleet, delivered by Supacat in 2009, it also provides improved capabilities, particularly, in the areas of crew protection and vehicle versatility.

Evaluation of new combat vehicles for the Australian Army will sonn begin, with the delivery of the first Hawkei protected vehicle by Thales, for Project LAND 121 Phase 4. Supacat also delivered the first improved Special Operations Vehicles (SOV) developed under Project JP2097 Phase 1B.

With the world’s largest armies (except China and India) have ceased procurement of Main Battle Tanks (MBT), third world countries are becoming more dominant customers for this weapon category. Ukraine T-84, Russian T-90 and Chinese MBT2000 are all in production while western tanks are sold second hand to Asian armies at bargain price

The Indian Army, having long suffered from deficiencies in night fighting electro-optical equipment, is set to make up critical deficiencies. Thousands of thermal imagers for T-72 tanks and night sights for hundreds of thousands of assault rifles and carbines are on the horizon

Although the Army hasn’t committed to Hybrid-Electric Drive (HED) propulsion, this technology is already shaping the future requirement in a new way. The first opportunity for the US Army to truly evaluate this trend is the upcoming selection of Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV) expected in four years time.

The absence of new programs provided exhibitors an opportunity to highlight improvement to existing platforms. Among the combat vehicles displayed at AUSA were the M-109 Paladin Improved Mobility (PIM) and Bradley, both included in the US Army’s Enhanced Capability Programs (ECP).

In September 2012 GDLS was awarded a contract worth $395 million to support the first phase of Engineering Change Proposals (ECP) for the M-1A2 SEPv2 Abrams tank upgrade, the initial phase includes research, development and testing. The work includes miniaturization of electronics, through line replaceable module (LRM)- based electronics architecture and increasing electrical generation capacity, distribution and management.

International Armoured Vehicles 2013 is launching a live dynamic vehicle experience at the Long Valley Test Track, enabling manufacturers to demonstrate their vehicles dynamically, travelling through realistic terrains and over obstacles, providing for an enhanced live experience.

Contrary to the Army planner’s foresight in the 2000s, this decade is not about grand programs, but on reconstruction, reconstitution and incremental building of forces. Those military units that survive the cuts will have to do more with less. For the defense industry, it means that there will be fewer [...]

Jakarta, Indonesia: Germany is expected to deliver 44 Leopard II Main Battle Tanks and refurbished Marder armored infantry fighting vehicles to Indonesia by November 2012, as part of the Indonesian National Army (TNI) effort to establish the ‘Minimum Essential Force’ (MEF). The new armored formation will comprise 103 tanks, 50 [...]

The International Armoured Vehicles conference and exhibition (IAVs) offers a unique combination of high-level briefings from senior international military; technical sessions from key experts in C-IEDs, Future Armouring, Simulation, Weapons Stations Integration and Situational Awareness; and a high-impact, focussed exhibition hall dedicated to the armoured vehicles community.

The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) program entered a new phase yesterday, with the award of $187 million in three contracts for the 27 months Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase of the program. Two independent contractors, Oshkosh Defense ($56 million) and AM general ($64 million) along with an industry team lead by Lockheed martin ($66 million) were selected to proceed to the EMD phase.

Lockheed martin will soon hand over their 8×8 Havoc armored personnel carrier built by Patria, for eight months of testing and evaluation as part of the Corps’ Marine Personnel carrier program. Overall, the Corps plans to field at least 700 MPCs over a period of seven years.

The Russian Army is planning to begin modernize its armored and mechanized forces beginning in 2015, fielding a new family of vehicles comprising the new Armata main battle tank, Kurganets-25 armored infantry fighting vehicles, and various support platforms.

The emirate of Qatar has expressed interest in buying up to 200 Leopard 2 tanks, the german magazine Der SPIEGEL wrote. It is not clear whether the tanks are new production or refurbished from the German Army surplus stocks. A delegation from the tank manufacturer Krauss-Maffei Wegmann travelled several weeks [...]

enault Trucks Defense, a member of the Swedish Volvo Group’s Governmental Sales business area, announced it is acquiring the French armored vehicle manufacturer Panhard. The transaction is expected to be finalized during the fourth quarter of 2012, following receiving the required approval from the French authorities.

Despite the slowdown in demand in western armies, the international market for light tracked vehicles remains a highly competitive and dynamic environment; in upcoming years the market is expected to produce nearly 9,300 units, worth more than $19.7 billion, through 2021

The UAE is buying 750 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain Vehicles (M-ATVs). Deliveries will commence between January and August 2013, pending standard regulatory requirements. The contract grants the UAE options for more vehicles in the future.

The Norwegian Government awarded BAE Systems a contract worth over US$750 million (£500 M.) for the upgrading and manufacturing of 144 CV90 armored combat vehicles for the Norwegian Army. This number will include the upgrading of all 103 CV9030s, currently operational with the Norwegian Army since the mid 1990s, and the production of 41 new chassis, bringing all future Norwegian CV90s to a common configuration by 2017.

The BMP-T represents a unique Russian concept that evolved from the Second Chechnian campaign. This massive vehicle carries multiple and redundant weapons, facilitating reliable and dependable direct-fire support at all combat ranges. The weapon suite shown here include two 30mm 2A42 automatic cannons, two 30mm grenade launchers, one 7.62mm machine [...]

Above: The second generation Trophy system is designed for medium weight vehicles. It is seen here on a Piranha 3 vehicle which has also been installed with the new 30mm remotely operated turret. Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-Update Rafael’s TROPHY LIGHT Active Protection System (APS) is making its world debut here [...]

Above:Rheinmetall-HX2 showing the cabin RPG protection by flexible net and slat armor. A more advanced active defense system is also suggested for this application. Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-Update At Eurosatory 2012 Rheinmetall Defence is showing the HX2 ‘Extreme Mobility Truck System’, fitted with a protected cabin and hard-kill protection system, [...]

Above: Panhard CRAB. Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-Update Following a long tradition of supplying light armored vehicles for recce and patrol, Panhard is unveiling at Eurosatory 2012 the latest concept for such vehicle – the Combat Recce Armored Buggy (CRAB). “The CRAB, a revolutionary concept without any equivalent in the market, will [...]

Thales Australia is displaying at Eurosatory the latest version of the Hawkeye, selected by the Australian defense for the LAND 121 Phase 4 program

Above: M-ATV Tactical Ambulance, participating here at the Eurosatory live demonstration. Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-Update In service with US forces in Afghanistan since 2009, the M-ATV the highly mobile all-protected vehicle is currently fielded in several variants. Oshkosh has received awards to date for nearly 8,700 M-ATVs, including more than 460 SFV [...]

Above: Plasan FlexFence on a Sand Cat. Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-Update The new ‘soft skin’ applied to the VAB Ultima vehicle displayed at Renault Trucks Defence’s yard is a new RPG protection is believed to be Plasan’s FlexFence, adding higher protection form RPGs. While the new protection is also based [...]

Above:  Oto Melara’s 155mm self-propelled gun on display at Eurosatory 2012. Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-Update Oto Melara is launching a wheeled, turreted 155mm 39 Cal. self-propelled gun at Eurosatory 2012. The vehicle, a member of the Centauro family, is characterized by high tactical and strategic mobility and high survivability. The turret [...]

A different model of the overhauled and enhanced Marder was converted into a 43 ton mobile gun system, mounting a rifled, stabilized 105mm Oto-Melara gun in a new turret. This article is included in our new PDF show edition. The full edition of Eurosatory Show Live is available for only [...]

Renault Trucks Defense (RTD) is displaying at Eurosatory the VAB Ultima (below), a highly protected 4×4 version of the armored personnel carrier in service with the French Army for several decades. The French government ordered 290 Ultima units in 2011, and the first 32 are expected to arrive in Afghanistan [...]

Mine protected vehicles and armored trucks were always one of the hallmarks at Eurosatory. This year Rheinmetall Defense is showcasing an advanced version of the protected HX series of its MAN subsidiary for the first time. This vehicle will be displayed with the ADS active hard-kill system. Other variants of the [...]

With the warming relations between east and west, particularly France and Italy, the Russian display at Eurosatory is expected to be the largest ever. For the first time Russia is displaying the latest types of weapon systems, including the T-90S Main Battle Tank (MBT) upgrade, BMPT tank support combat vehicle [...]

The trend toward wheeled armored fighting vehicles (AFV) continues, despite vehicles becoming ever heavier. This article published in Defense-Update’s Eurosatory Preview outlines the new trends reflected by the various vehicles displayed at Eurosatory 2012

Canada has announced the selection of Textron Systems Canada, a subsidiary of U.S. Textron Systems, as the preferred bidder to deliver 500 armored vehicles to equip the Canadian Army under a $708 million contract.

About 45 Soldiers from A Company, 1st Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment, 197th Infantry Brigade, Fort Benning’s experimentation force, conducted platoon-level operations on five different platforms at Fort Bliss, Texas, evaluating two international and three US AIFVs, including the Namer, CV9035, Double-V Hull Stryker and turret-less Bradley.

With missions in Iraq completed and Afghanistan drawing down, the Army hasn’t decided what to do with these monsters, available in many variants, from the massive Cougar to the all-terrain vehicle M-ATV, some are torn out by years of harsh service, others brand new, as they haven’t travelled a mile yet.

BAE Systems Land Systems South Africa (BAES) has teamed with PPS Vehicles, a subsidiary of Slovak-based Company SITNO, to offer the Tactical Remote Turret (TRT) for armored vehicle modernization and upgrading programs scheduled by armed forces of the Eastern Europe region.

The German company IBD along with its Swedish subsidiary Åkers Krutbruk have demonstrated the latest MBT protection study for the MBT122 and CV9040, improving the tank’s protection over 360 degrees enhancing protection from asymmetric threats.

Defense Update provides an insight into the armored fighting vehicle market trends expected to highlight the upcoming Eurosatory 2012 defense expo. Is there a future for main battle tanks? what are the growth areas? Can platforms become lighter?

Russia is testing Italy’s Centauro ‘wheeled tank’ and considering building it under license. The company has already delivered two Centauro vehicles, the original design with the 105mm gun and another fitted with a Russian 125mm cannon.

An unexpected agreement was signed at Kadex 2012 Show by the representatives of Kiev and Astana about a local production of the Ukrainian 8×8 BTR-4 wheeled Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) of which Kazakhstan is meant to receive 100. The contract’s value is being estimated around US$150 million. The BTR-4 was [...]

Market research company ICD predicts the global market for armored and counter IED vehicles which was valued at US$25.1 billion in 2011 will decline during the next nine years, as global operations in Afghanistan and Iraq drawing down toward the second half of the decade. As a result, the global [...]

Part of a comprehensive four-year defense modernization bill, Norway plans to invest US$1.74 in CV90 armored vehicles modernization, to include added mine protection, improved C4ISR integration, rubber band tracks and Remote Weapon Stations for self defense.

The Indian Army has a fleet of more than 150,000 vehicles. The services buy around 7,000 new trucks every year, a volume attracting commercial vehicle manufacturers to invest in meeting peculiar military standards. This year at DefExpo 2012, traditional truck manufacturers Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland were joined by the new competitor Asia Motor Works, each taking aim at specific segments of this huge market.