FNSS PARS 8 x 8 with Sharpshooter single tower installed. A modification of this BMP with the Denel 30 turret, which is still being developed, was sold to Malaysia.
Turkish wheeled vehicles
The Turkish industry is very active in the field of armored wheeled vehicles, although at the moment none of them has yet been accepted by a national customer. If the Turkish army is not ready to buy an 8 × 8 vehicle, Otokar and FNSS will turn towards the export customers of their Arma and Pars 8 × 8 vehicles.
While Arma has yet to find a customer for the 8x8 configuration, the same cannot be said for the Pars, which Malaysia adopted in its AV-8 modification. A contract worth $ 559 million was signed in February 2011 with DefTech for the development, production and logistics of 257 combat vehicles.
The first prototypes equipped with a 25mm FNSS Sharpshooter single turret are being tested in Malaysia, while the AV-8 with a 30mm Denel twin turret is completing qualification tests in Turkey. FNSS is also keeping a close eye on a couple of filings from the Middle East. Since the Pars and Arma families have also expanded with 6x6 variants (although the Pars 6x6 and 8x8 variants have many differences, the most striking is the lack of a hydrostatic suspension set to 8x8), we smoothly move on to six-wheeled vehicles here.
In the short term, Turkey does not plan to buy 8x8 vehicles and in this regard, Otokar is actively "pushing" its Arma for export
Turkey - 6 × 6 machines
As already mentioned, no orders from Turkey for the 8 × 8 configuration are foreseen yet. Turkey is expected to open a tender for a 6 × 6 reconnaissance vehicle at the end of 2013, in addition to another tender for 76 weapons installations opened at the end of June 2013. RFQs have been sent to Otokar and FNSS, although these may also include a 4x4 configuration. In the near future, the requirements may also include a command and staff vehicle, a mobile radar station and a WMD reconnaissance vehicle.
Otokar has already entered overseas markets with its Arma 6x6. At least two contracts were signed with unnamed customers; the second (the country of the Persian Gulf) worth $ 63.2 million. Another machine in the 6 × 6 configuration that entered the overseas market is the Nurol Makina Ejder. Georgia has bought 76 of these machines and soon another order may come from it. For the Middle East market, Nurol Makina has developed an upgraded version equipped with additional armor with an unopened level of protection and a single Nexter Dragar turret armed with a 25 mm M811 dual feed cannon. Other turrets with cannons up to 90 mm can be installed. The Middle East variant weighs 21 tons, while the base machine Ejder II weighs 18 tons.
Ejder II will not participate in the competition to be announced by Turkey soon. Nurol is a subsidiary of FNSS and it was decided that only FNSS Pars 6 × 6 would compete for this contract. It will compete with the Otokar Arma 6x6, as well as a new vehicle in the same category currently being developed by Hema.
At IDEF 2013, a mock-up of the machine provided by the Emirati company Streit Group was shown at the Hema stand, although the Streit 6 × 6, known as the Veran, had been shown at IDEX a few months earlier. The vehicle is 7 meters long, 3 meters wide and 2, 25 meters high, and has a combat weight of 18 tons (a 16 - 17 ton amphibious version is also proposed). The power unit consists of a six-cylinder 8, 9-liter ISL 400 turbocharged engine with an output of 500 hp. and an Allison 3200 SP transmission. The independent suspension consists of coil springs and hydraulic shock absorbers, the level of ballistic and mine protection has been brought to Level 4. The Veran has a double bottom with a ground clearance of 365 mm. The crew of the car is three people, and 10 paratroopers are also placed inside, landing through the aft door, which can be replaced by a ramp.
The Veran mockup was presented at IDEF mainly to show the cooperation between Turkish and United Arab Emirates companies. The real Hema machine developed by the two companies will be quite different from the layout. Hema is a well-known engineering company that produces undercarriage subsystems for many foreign customers and is involved in the development of a power unit for Turkish military vehicles and MBTs. This allows it to manufacture most of the components at its own facilities and thus keep prices under control, a valuable quality for upcoming tenders. However, Hema has no experience in booking and therefore Streit will provide security solutions for the new vehicle.
The PARS 8x8 features a computerized semi-automatic air suspension that compensates for lateral roll
Nurol is a subsidiary of FNSS and therefore Ejder will not compete in the Turkish army competition for a 6x6 vehicle.
After two successes in the overseas market, Otokar is offering its Arma machine for Turkey's upcoming 6x6 bid
VBTP-MR Guarani 6 × 6 project
Guarani status
Across the globe in Brazil, Iveco opened a new $ 46 million combat vehicle plant in June 2013. The new plant is the main link in the production of the VBTP-MR Guarani 6 × 6 for the Brazilian army. The volume of production of this machine is determined at 100 units per year, if necessary, the plant is capable of producing twice as many cars (the total number that Brazil must order is 2044 cars in 20 years). More than 60 percent of Guarani's value comes from Brazilian components. In August 2012, production of the first batch of 86 vehicles began, which the Brazilian army uses to assess doctrine before full-scale production begins. Guarani has a combat weight of 18 tons, a 383 hp Cursor 9 diesel engine, and is dimensioned to be transported in the new KC390 Embraer aircraft. Iveco Defense Vehicles has started marketing campaigns throughout Latin America, especially in Chile, Ecuador and Colombia. The first order came from Argentina. After testing a prototype of a new vehicle leased from the Brazilian army, approximately 14 Guarani vehicles were purchased by the Argentine army. VBTP-MR vehicles are supplied to Argentine units deployed in UN peacekeeping missions.
Titus from France
During DSEi 2013, a completely new machine in a 6 × 6 configuration appeared with fanfare at the booth of the French company Nexter. Titus is a new proposal for the military who need a combat vehicle or armored personnel carrier to participate in mixed conflicts. Nexter claims that its new 6 × 6 vehicle can perform all the tasks of the armored personnel carrier and 85% of the tasks of the BMP in mixed situations.
At DSEI 2013, Nexter showcased the new Titus 6x6, a Tatra chassis with independent swing axles. It offers a high level of protection and mobility at an affordable cost.
Although it can be mistaken for Mrap, the characteristics of the machine are much closer to those of wheeled armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles, since Nexter engineers took into account several factors, namely the developing operational space, the experience gained in Afghanistan and the cost of the entire life cycle. This plus the good driving performance is paramount. The choice fell on the Tatra company, which is known for its chassis, which consists of a central support tube (backbone frame) and independently swinging axle shafts. The torque is transmitted by the longitudinal shaft passing inside the frame, and the main gear consists of two bevel gears mounted on the end of this shaft and engaging with the rims of the gear wheels of each axle shaft. This chassis allows for long travel independent suspension. Nexter asked the Czech company to develop a new high-performance chassis based on the 6 × 6 chassis that heavy trucks are also based on. In order to maximize mobility, the French wanted to change the layout of the bridges. The second axle, usually located closer to the third axle, was installed exactly in the middle between the first and third axles, between each axle the wheelbase was 2.55 meters, which implies steering of the rear axle (which also sharply reduces the turning radius). The angles of rotation of the wheels up to a speed of 10 km / h are the same as those of the front axle, as the speed increases, they gradually decrease, and upon reaching 45 km / h, the rear axle is blocked and becomes uncontrollable.
The power unit is installed at the front and consists of a 440 hp Cummins engine. and Allison transmissions, but Nexter is already considering a 550 hp engine. to further increase cross-country ability on sandy terrain. Wheel sizes also affect mobility, so the Titus is shod with 16.00R20 wheels. The width of the vehicle is limited to 2, 55 m, which not only meets European standards for vehicle dimensions, but also makes it transportable by air on board the A400M aircraft.
The entire crew capsule is made of steel and provides basic Level 2 protection; the vehicle has a one-piece windshield, the driver and commander / gunner have their own door with armored glass. The glass provides basic protection Level 1, the same protection is provided by the engine hood. Immediately behind the two front seats in the center is the landing commander; this allows him to maintain a full line of sight over a 120 ° sector and to control the C&C screen and the auxiliary screen. Each side can accommodate four or five paratroopers (depending on configuration) on energy-absorbing seats. The vehicle commander and the airborne commander have hatches over their heads, while the combat module is installed in the front part to the left of the vehicle commander's hatch (the vehicle can accept weapons installations with a caliber of up to 20 mm, for example, the Nexter ARX20). The height along the entire vehicle is 1.37 m, the total internal volume is 14.4 m3, behind their seats the landing party has 2.4 m3 of additional volume. The front windshield allows the trooper to have a certain situational awareness, although three windows can be cut on each side of the Titus troop compartment, as well as holes for firing. Two rear hatches in the corners of the vehicle allow the installation of light machine guns for self-defense. The machine is accessed via a power-operated aft ramp with a step for smooth boarding and disembarking. Three boxes on each side provide an additional 1.5 m3 of volume for external storage.
The Titus vehicle is designed as a modular design, allowing it to accept functional kits and additional armor. In the standard combat configuration, the armored glass and hood have protection Level 3, and the rest of the vehicle is protected by Level 3 or 4, protection against IEDs can withstand detonation on a 150-kg charge.
With a dead weight of 17.5 tons and a maximum gross weight of 27 tons, as we can see, the potential for weight gain is very significant. Nexter offers several functional kits for the APC variant in order to adapt the vehicle for law enforcement, riot control, conventional combat, counterinsurgency missions and urban combat. The mass in the latter case increases to 24 tons. Additional options are also planned, for example, sanitary, command post, engineering, supply, light evacuation and artillery surveillance, all of them based on a standard chassis. Only a heavy mortar installation with an installed 120-mm Thales 2R2M rifled mortar complex will be based on a deeply modernized machine.
The customer will be provided not only with a wide range of functional kits, but he will also be able to decide how much modularity he needs and thus get only what he needs. The Titus Nexter, with its 6x6 configuration, fills the gap between the Aravis and the VBCI as it has mobility and performance similar to the 8x8, but at a significantly lower acquisition cost and lifecycle, although Nexter did not provide figures in this regard. A second prototype is currently under construction, which will include many minor modifications as a consequence of the first operational tests carried out by the ex-military. The company aims Titus at armies that need to replace their armored personnel carriers and sees a market size of around 1,000. The car will be ready for serial production in early 2014.
Turkish company Hema is targeting the upcoming 6x6 APC competition and offers its new vehicle, created in collaboration with the Streit Group from the UAE. Veran mockup shown by Streit Group at IDEX 2013; this 6x6 vehicle will weigh about 18 tons and carry up to 13 soldiers
Typhoon-K from Russia
Among the latest innovations in the world of 6 × 6 is the Kamaz-63969, a three-axle vehicle designed and manufactured by a Russian company under the Typhoon program, which also includes a 4 × 4 variant. The new armored personnel carrier accommodates two crew members and 10 paratroopers, all have protection Level 4, mine protection level 3a / b. The DUBM developed by the Electromashina company is installed on the roof of the vehicle and can accept either a 7.62 mm PKT machine gun or an AGS automatic grenade launcher. Kamaz-63969 has a monocoque design with an independent suspension and is distinguished by an armored front glass that provides a wide view, while the troop compartment does not have direct vision systems. The interior is accessed through the starboard door and the aft ramp.
Russian Kamaz 63969 has a wide windshield. The armored personnel carrier is based on a monocoque body with independent suspension, it can accommodate up to 10 soldiers and a crew of 2 people
The Fuchs Story Continues
The success of the Fuchs 6 × 6 armored personnel carrier from Rheinmetall seems to never end; the last contract on his account includes 25 TPZ1A8 vehicles for the German army. This is the latest in a series of modernization contracts, issued since 2008 and aimed at providing German military vehicles with a level of protection sufficient to counter Afghan threats. Added an armor kit that increased the level of protection to 4, as well as a command and control system for the German army. The last contract was issued in April 2013, but this contract was preceded by another one concerning 7 Fuch KAI vehicles (Kampfmittelaufklärung und Identifikation - combat reconnaissance and identification). This route clearing option is equipped with a 10-meter manipulator arm and is scheduled for delivery by the end of 2014. Under the contract, Rheinmetall currently has 177 TPz1Z8 machines, including 52 standard machines ordered by Algeria. This country has shown an interest in purchasing many more of these machines.
The legacy of the Cold War - the Fuchs TPz1 is still in service today. The Bundeswehr is modernizing its many machines, and the updated Fuchs 2 has already entered the foreign market.
VAB - return to life
Replacing medium and multi-tasking armored vehicles such as VAB, M113, APCs, Fahd, etc., and offering a new light infantry fighting vehicle - this was the goal of Renault Trucks Defense (RTD) when it began working on its VAB MkIII. The MkII variant, shown in 2010, has attracted some interest. The car had an increased internal volume, but it soon became clear that RTD had to move development to the next stage in order to really convince the market. Thus, the MkII remained at the prototype stage and was supplanted by the MkIII variant, the maximum combat weight of which increased from 16 to 20 tons. In addition, while the MkII was offered in 4x4 and 6x6 configurations, the MkIII variant is only available in a 6x6 configuration. Compared to the original layout, the VAB 6 × 6 has rear wheels shifted to the rear to simplify construction and reduce cost. Only the front axle is steerable, although the rear axle can also be steered on request.
The system of protection against weapons of mass destruction has been moved to the rear left sponson, the right sponson is intended for stowing equipment. Payload 7, 5 tons allows you to install a single or remote-controlled turret of medium caliber up to 30 mm. The variant of the combat vehicle carries a crew of three people and seven paratroopers. Also provides for the option of a mortar 120-mm installation with a crew (two plus two) and 40 rounds of ammunition along with a mobile installation of anti-tank and / or anti-aircraft missiles, a command post with a crew of two plus four, a sanitary version with two crew members (two seats and four stretchers). A hypothetical version of reconnaissance and information gathering will have a crew of two plus four plus a day / night observation optical-electronic system on a telescopic mast, a laser target designation system, a surveillance radar, a mini-UAV with a communication channel, a satellite communication system and, of course, a battle control system. To handle all of these systems and functional kits, the VAB MkIII is equipped with RTD's Battlenet Inside architecture and a 300 amp alternator, although an even larger alternator is under consideration.
The newest variant of the VAB MkIII can accommodate 10 paratroopers plus a crew. Internal volume is 13 m3, ballistic protection - Level 4 and mine - Level 3b
The chassis was lengthened from the front axle by 500 mm forward and backward. And now the front doors are wider. The engine, as before, stands behind the driver, leaving a passage on the starboard side between the front cockpit and the troop compartment. The standard power unit consists of a Renault Dxi7 Euro 5 engine with 340 hp. (320 hp for the Euro III variant) and an automatic transmission. Thus, the specific power is 17 hp / t. On request, a 400 hp engine can be installed. The entire power pack, including the engine, transmission and cooling system, can be replaced in two hours thanks to a redesigned engine compartment. MkIII with independent suspension can overcome a crossing up to 1.5 meters, slopes 47%, side slopes 40%, overcome a trench 0.9 meters wide and a vertical ledge 0.5 meters high. The base hull has P4 ballistic protection, however, as a rule, an additional armor kit is installed that can raise the protection to STANAG 4569 Level 4. The windshield is divided into two halves by a narrow pillar that does not obstruct the crew's view; the scheme with two separate glasses allows you to maintain a view if one of them is damaged and simplifies the installation of armored glasses with a high level of protection. According to RTD data, mine protection with an additional sheet under the bottom is Level 3B (Mrap standard), the minimum ground clearance is 370 mm. Protection against RPGs can be added, in this direction RTD cooperates with the Israeli company Plasan Sasa. The protected volume of the VAB Mk III is 13 m3, the vehicle accommodates 2 crew members plus 10 infantrymen in an armored personnel carrier configuration. The width of the machine is limited to 2.55 meters to facilitate movement in urban areas. Troopers have access to the vehicle through the aft door without power, although a power ramp is available as an option. Three windows per side provide good situational awareness for the landing party.
Due to the increased combat weight, the VAB MkIII variant is only produced in the 6x6 configuration. Renault Trucks Defense offers numerous variants of this model
After the first prototype, shown at Eurosatory 2012, completed 85% of life tests by mid-2013, RTD manufactured a second MkIII prototype, which is very different from the previous version. The braking system has been completely updated, the hydropneumatic system is installed in a V-shaped niche between the first and second axles on the right, from the left side this place was taken by a 300-liter fuel tank. In addition, the ceiling of the second prototype is ready to accept heavy towers and the first candidate here is the TRT-25 from BAE Systems. The chassis will also undergo ballistic and explosive tests scheduled for late 2013 - early 2014. By the end of 2013, RTD plans to complete numerous customer trials. The MkIII is being offered to Western countries as a machine with superior performance, and is also being considered as a possible "urgent alternative" for the French VBMR program, if it is stopped due to lack of funding for development. On the other hand, exports may require less protection, so Level 2 is envisaged for the Middle East. RTD hopes to close its first deals at the end of 2013 under one of the motto "MkIII can provide 80% of the 8x8 configuration at half the cost." … Serial production is scheduled for the third quarter of 2014 and the company is already considering an amphibious version with a combat weight limited to 16 tons. The work of the water cannons will be carried out by a mechanical drive from the machine's transmission. Still, it is interesting that most of the VAB cars have a 4x4 configuration.
Biaxial armored personnel carriers
There are not so many VAB 6 × 6 vehicles in operation, and therefore the 4 × 4 modernization market remains tempting for Renault Trucks Defense, given that another 5,000 vehicles are in service. France will keep only 1700 of 4000 cars, so 2300 cars could be exported. The upgraded vehicles will sell for a third of the cost of the MkIII. The highest standard for the French army is the VAB Ultima version, which includes all the improvements adopted in recent years: a V-shaped bottom for protection against mines, energy-absorbing landing seats, a Protector DBM integrated with the Metravib Pilar shot detection system, etc. About 120 Ultima have been ordered, while an option for 30 cars is awaiting official notification.
The last three buyers Canada, Afghanistan and Colombia have purchased Textron 4x4 Commando vehicles in various configurations
Canadian tactical patrol vehicle Tactical Armored Patrol Vehicle with installed Konsgberg Protector Dual DBM. It is based on the Elite variant, the highest standard of any Textron machine.
The Select variant of the Commando family is the base for the Mobile Strike Force Vehicle of the Afghan army, some of which are equipped with the CMI 90 turret.
Textron Commando
Video presentation of armored vehicles of the COMMANDO series with my subtitles
The Commando BTR, manufactured by Textron Marine & Land Systems, is a 4 × 4 vehicle that has recently achieved significant success: winning the Canadian TAPV (Tactical Armored Patrol Vehicle) competition and ordering 135 additional Mobile Strike Force Vehicles for the Afghan army. The Afghan army has already ordered 499 vehicles in four contracts: 352 with a closed turret, 142 with a gunner's protection kit and 23 ambulances. The last order brought the total number of these machines to 534. Two-thirds of the machines of the first batch have already been delivered, the remaining 135 units are planned to be delivered by the end of February 2014.
Recently, the Commando Elite armored personnel carrier was tested in the UAE, where it covered 3000 km on four different types of sand and met all the requirements 100%. According to Textron M&LS, the 4 × 4 succeeded where the 6 × 6 and 8 × 8 failed. Its excellent operational adaptability and high survivability - the Elite has mine and IED protection levels of vehicles of the Mrap category and above - makes it possible to position the vehicle among the bestsellers in the light armored personnel carrier category. The rear engine location does not allow for a stern ramp or door, but the side doors provide unhindered access to the machine, although in this case protection is reduced compared to landing from the stern. The basic Advanced variant has a maximum capacity of two crew members and ten paratroopers. The heavily armored Elite is being developed as an armament carrier. Among the proposals - a two-man tower CMI 90 armed with a Cockerill cannon; even the installation of a 105 mm turret is currently being considered. The CMI 90 tower was chosen by the Afghan army for its Mobile Strike Force vehicle, based on the Commando Select variant. Textron M&LS is already thinking about other support vehicles (including the 155mm system), although a reconnaissance version and a mortar carrier are already available. According to Textron, negotiations are underway with two more customers, which may lead to further orders. At the end of August 2013, the Colombian army bought another 28 Commando Advanced armored personnel carriers, armed with a DBM with a 12, 7-mm machine gun or a 40-mm grenade launcher, in addition to 39 vehicles that have been in service there since 2010. The contract, worth $ 31.6 million, also includes the repair of two damaged cars. All machines are due for delivery in April 2014.
