Jane's IDEX

Among the staggering omissions:

- The BMP-90 will use it's laser rangefinder against civilians.

- How big of a land mine the Nyala can withstand.

- The diesel engines they all use are major sources of air pollution.

- Where Belarus got the "special" stealth paint.

- Terrier and the rest are all easily destroyed w/ RPGs.

- Piranhas have no need for an anti-lock brake system,
as their is no ice problem in the Mid-East.

- Grenade launchers on the Shoreland and other APCs used for
"internal security" should be considered a crime against humanity.

- Cobra is made by a Turkish govt. that is corrupt through
the core and has NATO's worst human rights record.

Capability - IDEX 2001 Mobility Demonstrations

By Paul Beaver

Nearly 20 vehicles are scheduled to appear at the IDEX 2001 Mobility demonstration in the main arena this year. They represent key technology and equipment demonstrators from eight countries and although there are some old favourites in the list, there some new faces too.

Tatra from the Czech Republic is showing the 6 x 6 and 8 x 8 configured vehicles. In previous years, it has shown incredible mobility over the obstacles. Several models are in service locally.

The only main battle tank to feature this year is the Ukrespetsexport T-84 from Ukraine, but there are also a number of infantry fighting vehicles, ranging from the new Metapol BMP Cobra, a newcomer from Russia, the previously unseen 2T armoured fighting vehicle from Minotor in Belarus, and the BMP-3 displayed by Adcom Trading of the UAE.

Wheeled armoured fighting vehicles on show will include the BTR-61B from Adcom Trading and the BTR-94K, also known as the APC International. It is being displayed in the colours of the UAE Marine.

Alvis, the UK company that recently won a major order from the Royal Army of Oman, is showing the Piranha II armoured personnel carrier, with a Delco turret. The Alvis vehicle is built under licence from GM Defense's MOWAG division, exhibiting in its own right in Hall 9.

Singapore's first mobility presence at the show will highlight three vehicles from Singapore Technologies Kinetics - the Flyer light strike vehicle, the Bionix recovery vehicle and the ATTC (All Terrain Tracked Carrier).

Adcom Trading is showing the Swatec Aircraft Assault Vehicle and another fast attack vehicle, simply known as the FAV. A further recovery vehicle is presented by Russia's Kerametal.

And finally, where would the mobility demonstration be without the ubiquitous HMMWV from the USA's AM General? 

The Metapol BMP Cobra: a newcomer to IDEX from Russiaas

 
More firepower for BTR-90

By Christopher F Foss

Being shown for the first time at IDEX is a BTR-90 (8 x 8) amphibious armoured personnel carrier fitted with a new two-person advanced turret developed by the KBP Instrument Design Bureau. The vehicle is normally fitted with a BMP-2 type turret armed with a 30mm cannon, 7.62mm machine gun and roof-mounted anti-tank guided weapon (ATGW).

The new turret is of all-welded construction with an additional layer of spaced armour over the frontal arc for a higher level of protection. Its main armament comprises a 100mm rifled gun that can fire conventional natures of ammunition, for example high explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG) or a laser-guided ATGW out to a maximum range of 5,500m. The ATGW can be fitted with various types of warheads, including one fitted with a tandem HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank) warhead, which will enable targets to be engaged and defeated fitted with explosive reactive armour.

While the armament and overall layout of the turret are similar to that fitted to the BMP-3 infantry combat vehicle, which is used in large numbers by a number of countries in the Middle East, its fire control and sighting system is brand new.

The commander has a roof-mounted stabilised panoramic sight with day/TV channels and a laser rangefinder, while the gunner has a day sight, thermal channel and a laser rangefinder. This system enables targets to be engaged under day and night conditions with a high first round hit probability. In a typical target engagement the target would first be detected by the commander and then handed over to the gunner who would carry out the actual target engagement.

Although shown fitted on a BTR-90 (8 x 8) APC, the new turret can be installed on a wide range of other chassis, tracked and wheeled.

The BTR-90, which has been built in small quantities, is essentially a much enlarged BTR-80. This in turn was a development of the earlier BTR-70 and BTR-60 (8 x 8) vehicles, which have been built in large numbers for the home and export markets. The BTR-90 has a crew of three - commander, gunner and driver - and can carry seven fully equipped infantry, who can rapidly dismount via hatches in either side of the hull.

Standard equipment includes powered steering on the front axles, a central tyre pressure regulation system and an NBC system. The vehicle is fully amphibious, being propelled in the water at a speed of 9km/h, with a maximum road speed of 91km/h and a maximum range of 700km.

 
BTR-90 (8 x 8) APC fitted with KBP turret armed with
100mm gun, 30mm cannon and 7.62mm co-axial machine gun

First Middle East sales for Nyala APC

By Christopher F Foss

Vickers Defence Systems of the UK has announced that its South African subsidiary, Vickers OMC, has won its first Middle East contract for the RG-12 Nyala armoured personnel carrier (APC), which is typically used for police and internal security applications.

Two undisclosed countries in the Middle East have ordered the RG-12 in the APC and patrol reconnaissance versions. These sales mean that more than 700 RG-12 series vehicles have now been built, with sales being made to eight countries.

The RG-12 is of modular design and can be rapidly adapted for a number of missions including command post vehicle, water cannon, armoured logistic vehicle and ambulance.

Vickers OMC is the largest manufacturer of armoured vehicles in Africa, with well over 2,000 mine-protected vehicles being built alone. Heavier vehicles produced include the 8 x 8 Rooikat armoured car with a 76mm gun (a 105mm version for export is being shown at IDEX 2001), while the company is also prime contractor for the Olifant tank (a version of the Centurion tank modified to South African operational requirements).

UAE signs joint vehicle contract with Jordan government

Around 1,500 Tiger high-mobility tactical vehicles will be built by the Bin Jabr Group in the UAE under a two-year contract with the Jordanian government worth up to US$45 million. Three versions will be made in what Saeed Bin Jabr Al Suwaidi called "total Arab technology".

Satory Military Vehicles formed to develop VBCI

By Christopher F Foss

Late last year, the French DGA awarded Giat Industries and Renault Véhicules Industriels a combined development and production contract for 700 new 8 x 8 infantry combat vehicles (ICVs) to operate with the Leclerc tank.

To handle this larger programme, Giat Industries and RVI have formed a new company called Satory Military Vehicles, which, in addition to handling the new 8 x 8 vehicle, will also be responsible for older light and medium vehicles, such as the VAB 4 x 4 and 6 x 6, of which some 5,000 have been built for the home and export markets, and the AMX-10RC 105mm armoured car.

The current French Army name for the ICV is the VBCI. Under current plans, at least 550 will be built, plus 150 command post vehicles. The former will have a combat weight of 26 tonnes and be fitted with the latest Giat Industries Dragar one-person turret, armed with a 25mm cannon and 7.62mm machine gun. In addition to the driver and vehicle commander/gunner, it will carry nine fully equipped troops who will dismount via a power-operated ramp at the hull rear.

It is expected that the first prototype of the ICV will be completed in the second half of 2003, with production starting in 2004/2005. It has not yet been decided where in France production of the vehicle will be undertaken.

It is understood the vehicle will be powered by a Renault VI 550hp diesel coupled to a fully automatic transmission. Steering is power assisted on the front four wheels and a central tyre pressure regulation system would be fitted as standard. Maximum road speed will be approximately 100km/h, with an operating range of 750km.

France was part of the German/UK Multi-Role Armoured Vehicle (MRAV) programme, but eventually pulled out to pursue the VBCI programme, which is a fighting vehicle rather than a troop carrier.

Although development of the VBCI has only recently started, marketing of the vehicle is already underway and presentations have been made to a number of countries. According to Satory Military Vehicles, other countries or contractors could join the programme in the future.

Oman to upgrade Scorpions

By Christopher F Foss

The Royal Army of Oman will later this year take delivery of the first of 60 Alvis Vehicles Scorpion Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) upgraded with a Cummins diesel engine kit provided by Alvis Vehicles of the UK under a contract awarded late last year.

The BAE Systems, RO Defence 76mm gun on the Omani CVR(T) vehicles is being retained. It could, however, be replaced by a Belgian Cockerill 90mm gun firing enhanced ammunition types, including APFSDS.

As a consequence of being awarded this contract late last year, Alvis will be joining Oman's Partnership for Development programme which is aimed at investing in the development of business and projects in Oman.

Alvis Vehicles supplies the complete upgrade kit to the Royal Army of Oman, which carries out the actual upgrade work. The upgrade package is identical to the 1,107 kits supplied to upgrade various CVR(T) vehicles of the British Army. Alvis Vehicles, as design authority for the complete CVR(T) fleet, upgraded the first 230, with the Army Base Repair Organisation (ABRO) upgrading the remainder of the fleet which will remain in service with the British Army for at least 10 years.

The main part of this upgrade is the replacement of the old Jaguar J60 petrol engine, developing 190hp, with a more fuel efficient Cummins 6 BTA 5.9 diesel engine. This increases the operational range of the vehicle as well as reducing the risk of fire. In the case of the British Army, it also means that all its tracked and wheeled armoured fighting vehicles will now be diesel-powered.

Oman is the first export customer for the Cummins dieselisation package, which is also being marketed to some of the other 25 users of the CVR(T) family of light armoured vehicles. A converted CVR(T) vehicle is displayed on the Alvis Vehicles Stand D7 at IDEX 2001.

It is expected that the conversion of the Royal Army of Oman's CVR(T) fleet will be completed in time for the Saif Sarerra II international joint reaction force training exercise that will take place in Oman later this year.

Stalker surfaces from Belarus

By Christopher F Foss

Taking part in the daily mobility demonstration at IDEX 2001 is the 2T Stalker combat reconnaissance vehicle, which is claimed to have a number of advanced features.

Built by the Minotor Service Unitary Enterprise of Belarus, the vehicle has been under development for several years, with the prototype running for the first time late last year. Although developed as a private venture, the local army is understood to have an initial requirement for a first batch of 30 vehicles. It is also being offered on the export market, its long range making it especially suitable for operations in the Middle East.

The 2T Stalker is being promoted as a dedicated long-range reconnaissance system with a maximum top speed of 95km/h and a maximum range of 1,000km. Some of the chassis and automotive components are those used in the 2S6 self-propelled gun/missile air defence system which, as well as being used by Russia, has also been sold to India.

It has a crew of three, consisting of driver, commander and gunner. The vehicle is armed with a stabilised 30mm cannon and 7.62mm co-axial machine gun, which is aimed by the
commander or gunner using
an advanced day/night sighting system that also incorporates a laser rangefinder.

The day/night sighting system is used to lay and fire the weapons, and also for surveillance and target tracking, with the
information being automatically relayed to a higher command post.

The 2T is also fitted with two retractable launchers, one for two fire-and-forget surface-to-air missiles, the other for two
anti-tank guided missiles. A 30mm grenade launcher is fitted, plus a quantity of anti-tank mines that are laid manually.

Combat survivability is enhanced by the incorporation of stealth characteristics, including careful shaping of the hull with no sharp edges and the use of special paint.

 
The new 2T Stalker reconnaissance vehicle is making its debut at IDEX 2001

Sharjah gets Terrier APCs

The Terrier (4 x 4) Light Armoured Unit (LAU) is now operational with the Sharjah Auxiliary Unit, which has taken delivery of 12 units.

The unit is the first customer for the Terrier, which is being marketed for a wide range of military and paramilitary operations and, depending on the internal layout, can typically carry eight people including the driver. The occupants can fire their weapons from within the vehicle using firing ports located all round the hull.

The Terrier is essentially an IVECO 40.12WM (4 x 4) chassis fitted with a new fully armoured all-welded steel body provided by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, which protects the occupants from all arms fire, shell splinters and anti-personnel mines. As Terrier uses commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components, procurement and overall life-cycle costs are reduced.

Standard equipment on the Terrier includes powered steering, bullet-proof glass all round, air conditioning, run-flat tyres, tear gas dust filter and fire suppression system for the engine and tyres.

Different diesel engine options are also available coupled to a manual or fully automatic transmission. Armament normally comprises a roof-mounted 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine gun, which can be on a standard pintle mount or installed in a turret.

In addition to being used as an armoured personnel carrier/internal security vehicle, the Terrier can also be used for a number of specialised missions such as command post, ambulance and explosive ordnance disposal.

Funding permitting, the German Army has a requirement for up to 250 Terrier LAUs in two batches. Ballistic tests on the hull of the Terrier have already been completed and these will
be followed by blast trials and then mobility tests at the Trier proving ground.

The Terrier, essentially an IVECO 40.12WM (4 x 4) chassis fitted with a new fully armoured all-welded steel body, is now operational with the Sharjah Auxiliary Unit

Oman to get second batch of Piranhas

By Christopher F Foss

Alvis Vehicles will soon start work on the second batch of Piranha 8 x 8 armoured personnel carriers and variants for Oman, which was placed late last year with first vehicles expected to be delivered in 2002.

These will all be Piranha II vehicles, powered by a Detroit Diesel engine coupled to an Allison fully automatic transmission. A number of different versions will be supplied, including troop carrier and command post vehicle. No details of the actual quantities involved have been disclosed, but it is understood that sufficient Piranha IIs have been ordered to form another battalion. Some vehicles will be fitted with a new turret system that can be armed with a 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine gun.

This is the third major contract for the Piranha, which Alvis Vehicles builds under licence from MOWAG of Switzerland. The earlier contracts were for 100 to 120 vehicles for the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Defence and Aviation, 80 vehicles for Oman (six variants) and 40 vehicles for Qatar (three variants).

As a private venture, Alvis Vehicles has also developed an NBC (nuclear, biological and chemical) reconnaissance version of the Piranha II. This is being marketed in the Middle East where a number of countries have a requirement for a vehicle of this type.

According to Alvis Vehicles, the NBC reconnaissance version provides state-of-the-art detection, monitoring, sample collection, area marking system and decontamination equipment.
An interactive video demonstrator is available on the Alvis Vehicle stand D7 at IDEX.

Alvis Vehicles is showing its newest Desert Piranha at IDEX 2001, which features the latest Delco Systems LAV-25 turret armed with a Boeing 25mm M242 cannon and 7.62mm co-axial machine gun, electronic engine management system, anti-lock braking system and a central tyre pressure regulation system. The run-flat tyres allow missions to continue even if the tyres are deflated. Other options include a higher level of armour protection and an amphibious kit.

So far, all Piranha vehicles built by Alvis Vehicles have been in the Piranha II configuration, although the company holds the licence for the enhanced Piranha III. In addition to the standard 8 x 8 Piranha, a 6 x 6 model is available.

 
Piranha 8 x 8 APC built for Oman

Delco to provide new AT weapon for LAVs -- probably

Late last year Delco Systems was selected by the US Army to develop and produce the new Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) Weapon System for the LAV III (8 x 8) vehicle, which has been chosen to meet the requirements for the US Army's Interim Brigade Combat Teams (IBCT).

United Defense, however, which was offering a wheeled solution, contested this decision, forcing the US Army to issue a Stop Work order. Provided that the programme goes ahead, Delco Systems, teamed with E Falck Schmidt of Denmark, will build a first batch of 41 systems and a follow-on batch of 48 systems. If all goes well, the first example will be completed late this year.

The new ATGM Weapon System builds on the Delco Systems/E Falck Schmidt work on the Elevated TOW System, which has four Raytheon Systems Company TOW missiles in the ready-to-launch position. It has been successfully tested on an M113 series armoured personnel carrier of the Danish Army.

The gunner will be seated in the hull and will be able to aim the ATGM Weapon System under complete armour protection. It will have two TOW missiles in the ready-to-launch position and the latest Raytheon Systems Company Improved Target Acquisition System. The complete launcher can be raised to a maximum height of just under 1m. This means that when it is deployed behind cover, only the top is seen, making it difficult to locate and neutralise.

Cobra poised to strike

By Christopher F Foss

Turkish company Otokar is now promoting its family of 4 x 4 light armoured vehicles to a number of countries in the Middle East, as well as forming strategic alliances to bid for a number of emerging foreign requirements.

More than 30 Otokar Cobra (4 x 4) light armoured vehicles have been built for the home and export market, with the Turkish Land Forces Command having completed an extensive series of reliability growth trials last year. Small batches of Cobra vehicles have already been built for the export market.

In the short term, one of the largest potential export markets is the UK Future Command and Liaison Vehicle (FCLV) competition for between 500 and 600 vehicles. Six companies submitted their bids to the UK's Defence Procurement Agency (DPA) last week. For this key competition, Otokar is teamed with BAE Systems, RO Defence, which is acting as the UK prime contractor.

At this stage it has not been decided whether Otokar would send the complete Cobra to the UK, where it would be fitted out, or if there is to be some sub-assembly work in the UK. RO Defence has selected a number of possible external weapon systems for the Cobra, including the Helio SWARM (Stabilised Weapon And Reconnaissance Mount), which can be armed with a 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine gun.

To reduce procurement and life-cycle costs, the Cobra uses proven components wherever possible, with the complete mechanical components such as running gear and power pack being provided by AM General of the USA. This is identical to that used on the latest production AM General HMMWV (High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle).

Tenix awarded Shorland contract

By Christopher F Foss

Following an extensive international competition which culminated in user trials, the Belgian Gendarmerie has selected the Australian Tenix Defence Systems Shorland S600 4 x 4 internal security vehicle (ISV) to meet its future operational requirement. It has placed a contract worth A$5 million (US$2.5 million) for an undisclosed quantity of vehicles.

The Shorland S600 was originally developed as a private venture by Shorts of Northern Ireland, but Tenix Defence Systems subsequently took over its complete production line of light armoured vehicles, including the S600.

The first export order was placed by the Kuwait National Guard, which ordered 22 Shorland S600 vehicles in various configurations, with deliveries starting in 1998.

The S600 is based on a proven Mercedes-Benz UNIMOG 4 x 4 U2150L chassis, for which spare parts and logistic support are available all over the world. According to Tenix Defence Systems, it has some 80 per cent commonality of spares with other UNIMOG vehicles, which are also used for a wide range of military and paramilitary applications.

For a wider range of user requirements, the Shorland S600 can be equipped with optional equipment including an anti-lock brake system, barricade removal equipment, a central tyre pressure regulation system, a long-range fuel tank, grenade launchers and a winch.

As well as the ISV, a wide range of other versions of the Shorland S600 have been developed, including armoured personnel carrier, riot control, ambulance, high pressure water cannon, command/control and reconnaissance. Additional versions of the Shorland S600 are under development.

At IDEX 2001, two Shorland S600 vehicles are being displayed. The APC is being shown on the Tenix Defence Systems stand (E10). An S600 configured as a Police is located on the Mercedes-Benz/Al Fahim Group stand.