More firepower on land and water
Christopher F Foss
The Finnish Patria Vehicles Armoured Modular Vehicle (AMV) (8x8) is being shown during the mobility display fitted with the complete turret of the Russian BMP-3 tracked IFV, which is in large scale service with a number of countries in the Gulf. It successfully completed a 2,000km mobility trial in a GCC country, which was followed by a firepower trial that included engaging a wide range of targets while the platform was stationary and moving.
This particular chassis/turret combination makes it the most well armed vehicle of its type in the world, as the turret is armed with a 100mm gun, 30mm cannon and 7.62mm co-axial machine gun. The 100mm gun can fire conventional natures of ammunition or a long range guided projectile fitted with a HEAT (high explosive anti-tank). It has an extended hull for greater internal volume and in addition to its crew of three (commander, gunner and driver) can carry eight fully equipped troops.
With a gross vehicle weight of 23.5 tonnes, the AMV/BMP-3 turret combination is fully amphibious, being propelled in the water by two propellers mounted one either side at the rear. The excellent amphibious capability of the AMV was also demonstrated during IDEX. While having the same firepower as the full tracked BMP-3, the AMV/BMP-3 turret combination offers the user a number of significant operational advantages.
These include greater strategic mobility as the vehicle can be rapidly deployed over long distances without requiring heavy equipment transporters. In addition, a wheeled vehicle has lower operating costs than its tracked counterpart, as well as being more suitable for peace enforcement operations, which are becoming of increasing importance to many armed forces around the world.
So far the Patria Vehicles AMV has been ordered by three countries: Finland (62 +24 twin 120mm mortar); Poland (690); and Slovenia (135). South Africa is expected to place an order for a total of 264 units shortly. In the case of major export contracts, Patria Vehicles normally supplies an initial batch of vehicles from the Finnish production line and then transfers technology for in-country production of the vehicle. For the local market, Patria Vehicles is teamed with the Bin Jabr Group (Outdoor Stand 210).
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