Tag: 8×8

Can rapid fielding of modern and mature 8x8 IFVs reduce the risk and enhance the combat agility of NATO’s Eastern front? The combat experience gathered in the Ukraine War reflects the need for agile land combat systems that effectively integrate maneuverability and firepower and rely on logistical support from domestic or neighboring allied countries. How can NATO get them quickly? Marrying proven systems and platforms delivered by trusted sources from active production lines is paramount in reducing risks and accelerating delivery and fielding.

Israel will soon begin serial production of Eitan 8x8 armored personnel carriers (APC) at the IDF Technical and Logistics Directorate Development and Maintenance Center, where Merkava and Namer heavy armored fighting vehicles are produced. Eitan is expected to become operational at the end of 2021, replacing the half-century-old M-113 APC.

The IDF has completed a test series of the new Eitan 8x8 wheeled APC being developed by the Israel Ministry of Defense tank authority for use by IDF infantry brigades. Although the vehicle is developed and ready to be produced in Israel, it is likely that on the long term, U.S. manufacturers will receive the lion's share of this program, if only to enable the IDF to meet the tight schedules and lower costs required for the project.

General Dynamics European Land Systems signed a contract with the Romanian government today, to deliver up to 227 Piranha 5 wheeled armored vehicles in six different configurations to the Romanian Armed Forces. The contract value exceeds US$1 billion. The vehicles will be produced locally in Romania by the Romanian company Uzina Mecanică București (UMB) and original vehicle designer, Mowag.

A new version of an amphibious AMVXP integrated with Turra weapon system is undergoing winter testing in Finland, under a joint development program with Slovakia. Slovak Army trials are expected to continue through March. Slovakia plans to procure up to 81 IFVs as part of a military modernization program. Deliveries are expected to commence in 2018-2024.

Israel’s Ministry of Defense unveiled today the first prototype of the Eitan, a new 8x8 armored personnel carrier developed by the Ministry’s Tank Development Program Directorate (Mantak), as a possible successor for thousands of American-made M-113 APCs Israel has been operating since the 1970s.

 

India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Indian armored vehicle manufacturers displayed today for the first time a number of combat vehicles developed in India for the Indian armed forces. Among the new vehicles were Arjun Mk II, Kestrel Wheeled Armored Platform (WhAP) and 4x4 Armored Mine Protected Vehicle (MPV) developed by Tata.

The Boomerang 8x8 armored infantry fighting vehicle is the latest wheeled armored vehicle developed in Russia, a design introducing significant changes and improvement over the BTR-60, 70 and 80, that were in service since the early 1960s. The first pre-production vehicles delivered for operational testing were publicly displayed in 2015. Following those tests VPK is expecting orders for 2,000 such vehicles, in various configurations.

The Danish Ministry of Defense announced the selection of the Swiss Piranha 5 8x8 wheeled APC for the future armored personnel carrier of the Danish Army (Forsvaret).

As part of TATA’S strategy to enhance the scope of its defense business Tata Motors HAS showcased the ‘Kestrel’, an 8x8 wheeled armored amphibious...

Japan plans to invest ¥24.67 trillion yen (US$24 billion) over the next five years in a military buildup plan bolstering Japan’s sovereignty in the...

black_widow_spider_afvThe Defence Technology Institute (DTI) – the Thai ministry of defence’s research and development agency – today announced that it will partner with UK...

Russian Tracked vehicle manufacturer UralVagonzavod and Renault Trucks Defense of France have unveiled a collaboration program the two companies are pursuing since February 2013,...