New Armored Vehicles Debut At British Equipment Exhibition

The Alvis Stormer 30 Alvis Bridgelayer on Stormer Chassis

- Author’s Photos gun turret for uses such as mortar carrier, command and communications or cargo-carrying.

GKN offered a wide range of wheeled vehicles. Their Tactica series, with a normal driver’scab layout, was configured in mock-up MOD Police markings, and a higher capacity version with cab-forward format was on display alongside a Simba in anti-riot form, fitted with folding side shields. At the heavier end of the scale is the Piranha designed by MOWAG of Switzerland, which GKN has a license agreement to build. This very versatile vehicle comes in 4x4, 6x6, 8x8 and even 10x10 configurations. Available for inspection was an 8x8 infantry fighting vehicle in two formats, one mounting a Delco turret with 25mm cannon and TOW not unlike those in use by the U. S. Marine Corps, Canadian, and Australian armies, and the Saudi Arabian National Guard. The more recent version Piranha III offers an all-electric drive turret and improved crew and other facilities.

Premiered at the event was the ARGE/GKN proposal for the future family of wheeled utility vehicles to meet British, French, and German needs. The concept shown is a collaboration between GKN and Krauss-Maffei, MaK/ Rheinmetall and Wegmann from Germany. Such a partnership should mean the final vehicle will be able to draw on a variety of skills to fit it for many different roles.

Another contender for this program was at the Vickers display, coming from TEAM International, comprising Britain’s Vickers and Alvis alongside Hen-schell and KUKA in Germany and France’s Panhard. Its descriptive literature is in three languages, while two serving soldiers who inspected the vehicle at the same time as this author were very impressed with the very roomy interior. In service, it would soon fill up with a variety of equipment, as well as up to 11 crewmen.

More international cooperation was evident on the British Aerospace stand, with the 120AMS armored mortar system turret on a stretched M113 chassis. Developed in collaboration with Delco Defense, this effective system is already in service on a Piranha chassis. It offers powerful support from a wide range of 120mm mortar projectiles out to over 9km, all of which can be delivered under full armor protection.

Also shown by BAe was the Shorland S600 armored carrier, developed by Shorts Brothers of Northern Ireland. It is now marketed by British Aerospace Australia and Mercedes-Benz. Based on the proven Unimog chassis, it can be fitted out for a variety of tasks and has been offered as a contender for an Australian requirement. Finally, but not least of the new armor at the show, was Panther, marketed by Greys Defence Systems. Optimized for scout roles, this sleek vehicle takes advantage of the latest technology. Fully amphibious without preparation, its rear engine layout leaves the central section clear to carry a variety of equipment, from a machine gun to antitank or antiaircraft missiles. Alternately, a crew of up to six can operate electronic and optical surveillance equipment under full armor protection.

Developing anti-armor systems were on view as well as armor, including TRIGAT in its MR infantry version and LR vehicle- and helicopter-carried versions. Already a strong contender for adoption by Britain, France, and Germany, interest has also come from Norway and Finland. Alongside missiles and launchers was the result of a very effective test firing showing residual penetration of 1,193mm, making this a system to be reckoned with — or avoided, depending on your viewpoint.

A lighter system is the next generation of light anti-armor weapon from Matra BAe Dynamics, teamed with Lockheed Martin. Designed to offer infantry anti-armor capability out to 600m, it would weigh under 10kg and be less than a meter long. Being able to be launched from confined spaces also extends its versatility. The computerized demonstration on show was, to say the least, spectacular.

Even with recent and continuing changes in the world, there is still a need for well-equipped armed forces using armored vehicles. This showcase showed that Britain’s defense industry, increasingly in partnership with overseas companies, is well-placed to provide a range of equipment for these forces. Peter Brown is an Englishman with along-standing interest in armored vehicles, which he has studied for 25 of his 40-something years. A computer programmer by profession, he was editor of the Friends of the Tank Museum magazine, TRACKLINK for four years and active in publicity work for that organization. His writing credits extend to articles and reviews in many specialist publications in the field of full-size armor and model-making in several countries. He has attended BAEE events for almost ten years now and reported on new equipment and trends.

ARMOR — 51 Alvis Scarab MOWAG Piranha III - 8x8 Version Greys Defence Panther