Non-Subscriber Extract
DVD 2009: UK orders quad bikes for Afghan UOR
By Andrew White
26 June 2009
UK forces in Afghanistan will receive Yamaha quad bikes as part of an urgent operational requirement (IHS Jane's/Andrew White)
British forces operating in Afghanistan are to receive an additional 200 upgraded quad bikes and trailers as part of an urgent operational requirement for casualty evacuation, logistics delivery and sniper team mobility.
The UK's Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded Japanese company Yamaha a GBP5 million (USD8 million) contract to supply the vehicles, with additional trailers to be provided by LOGIC. The systems will be operated in addition to the current fleet of Honda 450 all-terrain vehicles and LOGIC SMT120b trailers.
The MoD declined to comment on the number of Honda systems currently in use.
Unveiled at the Defence Vehicles Dynamics 2009 event at Millbrook, Bedfordshire, on 24 June, the new fleet includes significant upgrades such as dual throttle on both sides of the handlebars, which allows the rider to fire a weapon and accelerate at the same time.