13 March 2024
by Kapil Kajal
The Type 16 MCV (pictured above taking part in Fuji Firepower demonstration 2018 at the Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji, Gotemba, Japan) is designed for high-speed self-deployment, enabling JGSDF rapid deployment regiments to quickly reach areas threatened by amphibious landings. (Janes/Kelvin Wong)
The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) will procure two new vehicles based on the Type 16 8×8 wheeled Mobile Combat Vehicle (MCV) in 2024, a Japan Ministry of Defense's (MoD's) Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) spokesperson told Janes in early March.
In the fiscal year (FY) 2024 plan, the MoD has allocated JPY24.2 billion (USD164 million) to procure 24 infantry combat vehicles (ICVs) and JPY8 billion to procure eight manoeuvre mortar combat vehicles (MMCVs) for the JGSDF, the spokesperson said. Both vehicles are based on the Type 16 MCV.
The MoD intends to sign a contract with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) in FY 2024 to procure the ICVs and MMCVs, and the delivery of vehicles will start in 2027, with the final delivery in 2028, the spokesperson added.
06 May 2024
by Kapil Kajal
The upgraded ACV-300 – pictured above from the DSA 2024 exhibition – is fitted with a new-generation remote-controlled weapon system with a close-range surveillance system, auxiliary power unit, air conditioning system, automatic fire suppression system, spall liners, driver vision system, and navigation system. (Janes/Kapil Kajal)
Malaysia's state-owned DRB-HICOM Defence Technologies (DEFTECH) and Turkish vehicle manufacturer FNSS have unveiled a prototype of the upgraded ACV-300 ‘Adnan' tracked armoured combat vehicle at the Defence Services Asia (DSA) 2024 exhibition held in Kuala Lumpur from 6 to 9 May.
Mohd Nizam Saedon, head of the engineering department at DEFTECH, told Janes on 6 May that the vehicle, which has been in operation since the early 2000s, is being upgraded to extend its operational life.
The turret of the vehicle is upgraded with a 25 mm sharpshooter turret as a part of the upgrades, Mohd said.
Other enhancements include the addition of a laser rangefinder and a thermal imager in the turret, a laser warning system, and a 360° situational awareness system, Mohd added.
He said the Malaysian Army has “successfully” tested the upgraded vehicle, and DEFTECH is awaiting orders from the service.
06 May 2024
by Nicholas Fiorenza
After joining the CAVS programme in April 2023, Germany has joined the programme's R&D phase. (Patria)
Germany has joined the Finnish-led 6×6 Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) vehicle research and development (R&D) phase, Patria announced in a press release on 2 May. It joins the other CAVS countries – Finland, Latvia, and Sweden – participating in the R&D phase.
Patria said joining the R&D phase would give Germany access to the results of the product development packages developed in the CAVS programme and allow it to co-define its requirements for future mission variants.
A Patria spokesperson told Janes on 3 May, “During the R&D phase those variants that are important for every individual country participating in the programme are being evaluated by those countries. Germany now has access to the results of the product development packages developed in the programme and will be in a position to co-define the requirements for future mission variants. The timeline for this phase has been different for each participating country, depending on their requirements and needs.”
Germany formally joined the CAVS programme in April 2023 with the signing of the programme's technical arrangement.
24 April 2024
by Victor Barreira
The new VBMT-LSR Guaicurus vehicles will include configurations with the new Ares REMAX 4 remotely controlled weapon station. (Victor Barreira)
The Manufacturing Directorate of the Brazilian Army plans to acquire up to 420 new Iveco Defence Vehicles (IDV) Light Multirole Vehicles (LMVs).
The IDV and the Army High Staff signed a protocol of intent on 17 April to pave the way for this acquisition. Designated Viatura Blindada Multitarefa Leve Sobre Rodas (VBMT-LSR) Guaicurus in Brazil, the 4×4 vehicle project is part of the army's Strategic Program Armoured Forces (Programa Estratégico do Exército Forças Blindadas: Prg EE F Bld).
The contract for the acquisition is currently being drafted, according to the army's projects office.
The Brazilian LMV will be acquired in different configurations, the army's Manufacturing Directorate told Janes in 2023.
The original VBMT-LSR project called for acquiring an initial batch of 32 LMVs and placing subsequent orders for two tranches of 77 vehicles each. The plan has since evolved to procuring 420 vehicles, thanks to ordering fewer new IDV VBTP-MSR Guarani 6×6 armoured vehicles than originally planned, a defence sector source told Janes .
The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) will procure two new vehicles based on the Type 16 8×8 w...
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