Currently, in Asia and Europe, many programs are being implemented for the purchase and adoption of modern wheeled armored vehicles 8x8 in different versions, including ambulances, armored personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles, mortar transporters and a number of others. While Australia and possibly Japan are looking for a new 8x8 vehicle, Germany is upgrading its Boxer MRAVs and adopting additional variants. The British Army needs the largest number of new vehicles in the 8x8 configuration, but many Eastern European countries, including Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia, are also interested in new wheeled combat vehicles. This means that vehicles such as, for example, the Advanced Modular Vehicle (AMV) of the Finnish company Patria, the Boxer MRAV (multipurpose armored vehicle) from Artec, Pandur II and Piranha V from General Dynamics European Land Systems, and less successful competitors in the international market in the face of, for example, the Singaporean Teggeh 3 and the French VBCI, in the near future can be adopted in large numbers by the armies of different countries. The American company Textron and Turkish FNNS have also submitted bids for several tenders.
The main driver for the development of the world market for 8x8 vehicles may be the decision of the Australian military on the LAND 400 program, which should be made at the beginning of 2018. In the second phase of the LAND 400 program, four of the most modern 8x8 vehicles have taken part to date - the Boxer, Patria AMV, LAV 6.0 and Sentinel variants (Teggeh 3) - that is, vehicles that meet the needs of any military considering the purchase of a new armored personnel carrier, infantry fighting vehicle or combat reconnaissance vehicle (CRV). Initially, other vehicles were also offered for the Australian military, for example, the VBCI 2, but their applications were withdrawn when it became clear that a solution based on ready-to-use military-grade modules was preferred.
There are currently two platforms remaining in the competition, Boxer CRV and AMV-35. Based on prototypes being tested in Australia, it seems that both consortia have relied on completely different strategies. While Rheinmetall presented the Boxer CRV as a highly customizable, high-end offering, including all the latest "gadgets" (active protection system, remotely controlled weapon module [DUMV], anti-tank missile launcher, acoustic sniper detection system, warning systems laser exposure, situational awareness, etc.), BAE-Patria's joint venture with the AMV-35 platform focused on a more affordable offering, focusing primarily on the higher cost-effectiveness of its platform compared to competitor Boxer.
Over the past year, only the lazy has not announced that the British military is considering buying a Boxer MRAV under the MIV (Mechanized Infantry Vehicle) program. The number of vehicles purchased for the $ 3 billion project varies according to different sources from 300 to 900 pieces. Although there are several options offered to the UK by the defense industry, the British army has not yet decided whether it wants to conduct an open tender or prefers a direct intergovernmental deal with Germany for the purchase of Boxer armored vehicles. The advantage of an open competition is that the best solution can be found in the process, be it the cheapest solution, the most combat-ready machine, or a jack of all trades. On the other hand, the budget of the British army has been sharply reduced and, according to some estimates, thanks to Brexit, it will be further reduced. In this regard, British newspapers conclude that an open assessment of several applicants can be too expensive (Brexit can also lead to additional costs and wasting time). A decision on the purchase of Boxer MRAV armored vehicles or an open tender is expected at the end of 2017.
If the Australian army chooses the Boxer CRV platform over the AMV-35, then, according to German analysts, this could positively affect its chances in the UK. First of all, the level of interaction between the ground forces of the two Commonwealth countries may increase, which seems desirable for bilateral relations. In addition, the British army could then, with a clear conscience, assert that the Australian tests have already proven the superiority of this machine and therefore an open competition is no longer required to adopt the machine. While the reverse is also possible (Australians will choose Patria AMV), there is no hint that the British Department of Defense is considering buying the AMV platform instead of an open tender.
It is possible that Britain is also looking for a variant of a self-propelled artillery unit based on a platform purchased under the MIV program. The Boxer MRAV is the only modern 8x8 wheeled platform shown with a 155mm cannon. The gun module AGM (artillery gun module) developed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) was installed instead of the standard functional module of this machine. The combination of a 52-caliber AGM cannon and a Boxer base chassis with a high level of protection makes it possible to bypass the current tracked ACS AS-90 in some positions.
At DSEI 2017, several manufacturers presented their potential proposals for the MIV program, including Piranha 5 from General Dynamics, AMV XP from Patria, VBCI from Nexter and two different Boxer variants from Artec. For this exhibition, Rheinmetall painted the Boxer armored vehicle in the colors of the British flag, while KMW focused on demonstrating the modularity of the vehicle using the example of the BMP variant. Pointing to the benefits of modular design, German companies also argue that the UK could have full intellectual property on the Boxer machine because of its origin (created as part of a multinational project in which Britain was also involved), which will allow the design and sale of its own versions of this machine without any interaction with Germany.
It is possible that Japan is also interested in a more modern 8x8 vehicle that could replace the outdated and weakly protected Tour 96 armored personnel carrier. Mitsubishi has already developed and demonstrated a prototype vehicle based on the components of the Tour 16 MCV (Maneuver Combat Vehicle) combat vehicle. However, Japan is known to have close military ties with Australia and is therefore closely watching the outcome of the LAND 400 program. Some experts believe that the Japanese self-defense forces may be interested in a certain level of interaction with the Australian army.
According to the German website hartpunkt.de, defense industry sources claim that the Japanese military requested information on the characteristics of the Boxer MRAV, with particular interest in armor protection and modularity. It is worth noting that in July 2017, Germany and Japan signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of defense technologies. At the same time, it was reported that Japan is primarily interested in German protection technologies, especially in special armor technologies and possibly active protection systems. The Japanese news agency Asahi Shimbun has explicitly indicated that these technologies are intended for an "infantry transporter" (armored personnel carrier or BMP). Negotiations on the agreement began in 2015, following which the two companies agreed not to disclose the details of the contract. The German-Japanese Defense Technology Forum was held in Tokyo in September 2017, with over 30 German defense companies participating.
The Bundeswehr recently decided to upgrade all Boxer machines to the new A2 configuration. In accordance with it, changes will affect both the base module and the functional one; for example, it is planned to install a new satellite communication system, improved driver vision systems, change the layout of storage areas, change cooling and exhaust systems, increase protection levels and add an additional control panel DUMV FLW 200. About the contract for the modernization of 124 armored personnel carriers, 72 ambulances, 38 control points and 12 driving training machines were announced in July 2017. All new Boxer machines ordered or will be ordered by the German army will be delivered in Boxer A2 configuration or in a later configuration.
According to the military news portal hartpunkt.de, the German army preferred the Boxer armored vehicle to a solution based on the G5 RMMS platform, planning to use it as a heavy vehicle in the fire support coordination units (JFST). This Boxer JFST variant will be equipped with a high-end sensor kit, possibly a mast-mounted Hensoldt Optronics BAA II optoelectronic sensor kit, which is already being fitted to the lightweight Fennek 4x4 JFST. Rheinmetall, as a member of the Artec consortium, also offers several sensor platforms for ground vehicles, such as the Vingtaqs II, which is in service with the Norwegian and Malaysian armies. Since the Boxer machine has a used Ogreater payload and interior volume, a more advanced sensor kit could be integrated, which could theoretically include a larger surveillance radar. The standard Fennek armored vehicle can accept either ground fire coordination equipment or anti-aircraft fire coordination equipment, that is, each Fennek JFST vehicle specializes in only one of these two functions. The Boxer theoretically has sufficient internal volume to accommodate both of these tasks, although it has not yet been decided whether a single Boxer will perform both tasks. Unlike the current decisions of JSFT from the UK and the USA, the Boxer car is not supposed to be equipped with a cannon or ATGM. The German army needs about 20-30 heavy vehicles in the Boxer JFST variant.
According to the chief inspector of the German army, at the moment there are also plans for a Boxer fire support option for Jager light mechanized infantry units. The plans envisage that the fifth (heavy) companies in each battalion will receive Boxer vehicles with automatic cannons.
The exact type of weapons has not been determined, but, judging by the available information, the military is more interested in the 30x173 mm caliber; for example, the new German BMP Puma is armed with the same MK 30-2 / AVM cannon. The vehicle can also be equipped with a Spike-LR ATGM launcher.
Currently, the German military is considering various options for towers, both inhabited and uninhabited. It is clear that the choice - if the 30mm caliber information is correct - is limited to the Remote Controlled Turret 30 (RCT 30; essentially the Puma BMP turret) from KMW and the Lance Modular Turret System from Rheinmetall. Both of these towers have their own unique advantages and disadvantages. The RCT 30 tower is already in service with the German army and thus has advantages in terms of training, logistics and spare parts. In addition, compared to the Lance turret, it has more powerful armament, and the roof can be equipped with additional armor from cumulative striking elements (although Rheinmetall manufactures such armor, the Lance turret prototypes were not equipped with it). An uninhabited tower is by definition smaller and lighter. However, uninhabited towers have a poorer level of situational awareness compared to their crewed counterparts.
On the other hand, the Lance turret is available in uninhabited and inhabited versions, but apparently only the latter option is being considered, since it was it that was installed on several Boxer prototypes, including the Boxer CRV. This turret is larger and heavier than the Puma turret when fitted with the same armor set. However, in theory, it can also accept larger caliber guns, for example, the 35x228 mm Wotan 35 chain cannon. Another small drawback, but rather a drawback: the modular design of the Lance tower allowed the installation of several components developed by Rheinmetall, which have not yet been adopted by the German army. For example, one or two SEOSS stabilized optoelectronic sighting systems can be integrated in the turret, one for the gunner and the other for the commander, but the German army is counting on Hensoldt Optronics optics for the Puma BMP and several other combat vehicles.
In theory, the German military can choose between light and heavy combat modules from different manufacturers. Looking at the offerings of the two companies involved in the production of the Boxer MRAV, a wide variety of possible alternatives can be seen. Several years ago, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann showed the FLW 200+ module on the Boxer, which is an improved version of the current FLW 200 combat module, which can accept a 20 mm Rh 202 automatic cannon with 100 rounds of ammunition. The heavy DUMV FLW500 weighing 500 kg can accept 30 mm cannons, for example, the M230LF from ATK, a coaxial 7, 62 mm machine gun and an optional rocket launcher. Rheinmetall has developed the Oerlikon Fieldranger 20 RWS DUMV, armed with an Oerlikon KAE 20mm automatic cannon. However, unlike the Rh 202 cannon, this cannon is not designed for firing 20x139 mm projectiles, which the German army still has large reserves, it is "sharpened" for a slightly less powerful 20x128 mm projectile.
If the new Boxer variant will carry out fire support tasks, it is surprising why the emphasis was placed on the 30 mm caliber, when other machines of the same type are often equipped with larger caliber guns. For example, the Belgian army adopted several Piranha NIC armored vehicles with a 90mm Cockerill cannon for direct fire support, while the Rosomak prototype was equipped with a Cockerill 3105 turret. h.p. - should have no problem installing a low-profile turret with a 120mm smoothbore cannon, such as the L / 47 LLR from Rheinmetall.
In addition to choosing a suitable tower, there are a number of other questions. The main issue revolves around Jager missions (light mechanized infantry) and Panzergenadiere missions (mechanized infantry). Traditionally, only Panzergrenadiere operate infantry fighting vehicles, while Jager units are limited to vehicles of the "battle taxi" type, which affects the doctrines of both of these branches of the military. installing a cannon on an armored personnel carrier does not mean that it should be operated as an infantry fighting vehicle. Another decision that must be made concerns whether the Boxer fire support option will carry an infantry squad or not. If so, then the squad should be smaller, because you need a place for ammunition, gunner-gunner and turret basket (if a manned turret is selected). Regardless of the decision making, the contract will not be issued earlier than 2019. As a result, Boxer fire support vehicles can be put into service no earlier than 2021. Based on out of the current number of German armored personnel carriers Boxer, about 100 such vehicles are needed.
The Bulgarian military plans to buy about 600 new 8x8 vehicles in several versions for the three newly formed battle groups. Among the necessary options are also a mortar complex transporter and an infantry fighting vehicle. Most likely, the application process for this program began in May 2017; six platforms have been proposed to compete for a € 500 million contract. Artec offers the Boxer, despite the fact that no operator is armed with a mortar carrier based on it and no such prototype is known to exist. However, the modular design allows such an option to be developed quickly. It is also unknown which tower will be proposed for the BMP variant.
Although the Boxer MRAV is significantly more expensive than other competitors - for Lithuania, the initial offer for the Boxer was more than twice as expensive as the offer for the Stryker ICV from General Dynamics - the excellent characteristics of this machine (especially the levels of protection) played their part and the Lithuanian army chose this particular model … The military favors the Boxer MRAV, while the politicians want cheap solutions. As a compromise, a variant of the Boxer platform was chosen, named Vilkas, on which, instead of the RCT 30 tower from Puma, a cheaper Samson Mk 2 DUMV with less firepower was installed. General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) offers the Piranha V family of vehicles. The Piranha V BMP version, equipped with the Rafael Samson Mk 2 DUMV, was demonstrated in April this year at the Tilbleto military training ground in Bulgaria. The demonstration took place for three days and included live firing from a 30x173 mm Mk 44 Bushmaster II cannon. The Samson Mk 2 module has two separate sights, a 30 mm automatic cannon, a coaxial 7, 62 mm machine gun and a retractable launcher for two Spike-LR missiles. This module was also installed on several BMP prototypes delivered to the Czech Republic.
While KMW, part of the Artec joint venture, is offering its Boxer platform to Bulgaria, French company Nexter, KMW's partner in the KNDS holding, is offering an unknown VBCI or VBCI 2 configuration. Back in 2013, Nexter showed scale models of the VBCI mortar carrier variant. These models were distinguished by a large double-leaf hatch on the roof of the aft compartment. Inside it was a 120mm semi-automatic mortar similar to the RUAG Cobra or R2RM mortar from TDA Armaments. To date, these models have not reached mass production. In the BMP version, the VBCI 2 platform can be equipped with a single turret with a 25 mm automatic cannon or a double turret armed with a 40 mm CTAS complex with telescopic ammunition. In theory, other uninhabited turrets and calibers are available on the market, but they were not installed on the well-known VBCI 2 prototypes.
The Finnish company Patria offers options for the Armored Modular Vehicle (AMV), although information on them is very scarce. The wide operational base of the AMV platform has led to the emergence of numerous variants, often different versions of the AMV are produced for the same tasks. For example, there are variants of AMV-based infantry fighting vehicles with an installed Hitfist turret from Leonardo (formerly Oto-Melara), an LCT30 turret from Denel Land Systems and a BMP-3 turret, while prototypes were equipped with an uninhabited MST-30 turret from Kongsberg, a turret E35 from BAE Systems and a new turret with a 40-mm CTAS cannon from the British Warrior BMP upgrade kit. Likewise, there are several options with 120mm mortars, such as the Polish Rak mortar, machines with a NEMO turret and an AMOS turret with twin barrels, and South Africa also ordered a 60mm breech-loading mortar turret for some of its AMV vehicles.
According to some reports, two more participants are interested in the contract to equip the new Bulgarian battle groups: Textron and an unnamed Turkish company. In the case of Textron, there is some inconsistency, as Textron is not known for 8x8 machines, although it is not explicitly stated that only 8x8 machines will participate in the competition. The American company signed a contract for the supply of 17 M1117 Guardian armored vehicles to this country in 2014; in mid-2017, 10 more vehicles were ordered. According to Bulgarian media reports, Textron and Rheinmetall have teamed up to offer an unknown 6x6 model for local production in Bulgaria.
As for the Turkish bidder, it is most likely FNNS with its Pars variant or Otokar with Arm's variant. Due to recent political tensions between European countries and Turkey, it is unlikely that a Turkish company will be chosen. The Czech Republic, for example, abandoned all Turkish tracked infantry fighting vehicles due to unstable political relations.
Two years ago, the Slovak army ordered about 30 Rosomak vehicles (Polish version of the Patria AMV) with a Turra 30 module manufactured by the local company EVPU. Judging by the available information, that contract was canceled, and in May 2017, the Slovak government approved the purchase of 81 armored vehicles of the 8x8 configuration. In addition, the army needs a total of 404 modern vehicles in 4x4 configuration. The official requirements for the procurement program are not known, but the number of applicants is higher here. All these machines will cost the Slovak treasury 1.2 billion euros. It is expected that deliveries of the first cars will begin in 2018 and will go until 2029. However, it is possible that earlier dates are valid only for 4x4 armored vehicles.
It is clear that General Dynamics European Land Systems will offer a variant of the Pandur II armored vehicle. The Pandur II machine is a further development of the Austrian Pandur I platform, which is currently being manufactured in several countries. Different variants of the Pandur II armored vehicle are in service with the Czech Republic, Indonesia and Portugal. Due to its relatively small mass - at the moment the production vehicle has a combat weight of only 24 tons - the overall level of armor protection is limited. Although the installation of attached armor made it possible to achieve the fourth level of ballistic protection of the NATO standard STANAG 4569 (all-aspect protection against armor-piercing bullets of 14.5 mm, fired from a short distance), mine protection is somewhat limited. Only in October of this year, the Czech military announced that 20 new Pandur II vehicles in the mobile command post version, after installing the new BOG-AMS-V seats, were qualified for mine protection requirements according to STANAG 4569 Level 4b.
Last year, GDELS presented a variant of the Pandur II jointly developed with the Slovak company MSM Group, named Corsac and equipped with the same Turra 30 turret as the Scipio armored vehicle, armed with a 2A42 automatic cannon of 30x165 mm caliber, a coaxial machine gun and two ATGMs 9M113 Competition (codification NATO AT-5 Spandrel). However, these weapons can be replaced by Western counterparts, for example, the Mk 44 Bushmaster II 30x173 mm cannon from Aliant Techsystems and the Spike-LR ATGM from Rafael.
The Corsac BMP is equipped with a Cummins ISLe HPCR diesel engine with a capacity of 450 hp, the combat weight is only 19.8 tons, which, apparently, depends on the armor set installed on the prototype. The declared maximum speed is 115 km / h, the car is floating, on water it develops a speed of up to 10 km / h. Ballistic protection meets only STANAG 4569 Level 2; Attached armor is available, allowing you to reach Levels 3 and 4, but the vehicle has not yet been demonstrated with mounted protection kits. The Corsac carries six paratroopers and two or three crew members. Most likely, GDELS will be able to offer the same improvements that were carried out on the Czech Pandur II machines in order to achieve Level 4 mine protection STANAG 4569.
Also, Patria AMV claims for the program of rearmament of armored vehicles of the Slovak army, possibly in the same configuration that was originally ordered for Scipio (with the Turra 30 module). Whether these machines will also be manufactured in Poland (like Rosomak and Scipio) or in Finland remains to be seen. Artec offers its Boxer MRAV platform for the Slovak army, and again it is not known in what exact version.
Slovenia, meanwhile, reportedly intends to acquire about 50 BMPs for its army. Earlier, Slovenia ordered 135 AMVs in different versions. These AMVs received the local designation Svarun. The contract, however, was stopped in 2012 due to funding problems as well as some political issues; as a result, only a third of the delivered AMV machines are operated in the Slovenian army. Given this and the fact that Croatia's southern neighbor has a large number of AMV armored vehicles, the Patria AMV platform most likely has an advantage over potential competitors. Perhaps Artec, General Dynamics, Nexter and ST Kinetics will show interest in participating in the Slovenian competition.
The Romanian army decided to keep up with richer countries and adopt the Piranha 5 armored vehicle developed by General Dynamics. In October 2017, the company announced that the first batch of 227 machines will be manufactured by the local Bucharest Mechanical Factory, which is owned by the state-owned Romarm Group. To organize the production of Piranha machines, GDELS will set up a joint venture in Romania. Eastern European countries in 2008 ordered 43 cars in the previous version of the Piranha III with five small batches.
It is not known what consequences the decision of the Romanian army will have on the development of the Agilis 8x8 armored vehicle, which was supposed to be produced in Romania. The machine was developed by a Romanian-German joint venture. A total of 7 variants were to be made; 80% of the work was to be done in Romania, only the engine and chassis components would be imported. The intellectual property of the Agilis platform was fully transferred to the state, which would allow Romania to export machines and carry out their modernization. The plans provided for a total production of 628 Agilis vehicles: 161 amphibious armored personnel carriers, 192 heavily armored non-amphibious armored personnel carriers, 24 evacuation ambulances, 90 RCB reconnaissance vehicles, 40 mobile command posts, 75 mobile mortars and 46 recovery vehicles. Production was slated for 2020-2035 with possible 4x4 and 6x6 variants.
The Ukrainian state-owned company Ukroboronprom has presented a new version of the BTR-4 wheeled armored personnel carrier, developed under NATO standards and designated BTR-4MV1. The machine was developed by the Kharkiv KBM them. Morozov. It differs from its predecessor in the increased level of armor protection. The bolted-on hinged armor made it possible to achieve security corresponding to the fourth and fifth (if desired) levels of STANAG 4569. This means that the BTR-4MV1 has all-round protection against armor-piercing bullets of 14.5 mm caliber and protection of the frontal projection from 25 mm projectiles. The new system also allows the installation of reactive armor elements to protect against rocket-propelled grenade launchers. The modular concept allows for the replacement of damaged armor modules, which reduces the time and cost of repairing a failed vehicle.
BTR-4MV1 armed with a 30-mm automatic cannon
According to the manufacturer, the mass of the BTR4-MB1 increased by only 2-3 tons. Thus, the machine weighing 23-24 tons still has the potential for future upgrades. The driving performance of the car did not change, the car retained the same suspension system, the diesel engine of the German company Deutz with the Allison transmission, as in the original version of the BTR-4. Thanks to the installation of hollow protective modules in some parts of the vehicle, the BTR4-MV1 retained its amphibious qualities; the speed on the water is 10 km / h, while on the highway 110 km / h. The main differences from the BTR-4 are noticeable in the front of the vehicle. Large bulletproof glass and side doors of the commander and driver (landing is carried out through separate hatches) were removed in order to increase the level of security. The commander and driver can now view only through observation devices. However, several video cameras installed around the perimeter of the vehicle provide the crew with an all-round view. The BTR-4MV1 retained the same combat module that was installed on previous versions, including a 20-mm cannon, a dual ATGM launcher and a machine gun. The combat module has only one sighting system and, accordingly, the crew cannot work in the search and strike mode.
