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BAE Systems Australia believes it will mount a compelling response to the Land 400 Phase 2 request for tender, teaming its own global and local experience with one of the world’s most successful eight-wheeled armoured vehicles, Finland’s Patria AMV.

The Patria AMV is an eight-wheeled armoured vehicle with a combat weight of up to 32 tonnes, born from a Finnish Army vehicle study in the 1990s and first tested as a prototype in 2001. After building an initial 62 for Finland, Patria has sold more than 1,300 AMVs to six other nations, four of which have manufactured the vehicle themselves under licence. Poland is by far the largest customer and builder, with 690 vehicles in service, another 307 on order and combat experience with the AMV in Afghanistan. South Africa’s Denel will build 200 as the Badger, incorporating the Denel LCT-30 turret. Sweden, Croatia, Slovenia, the United Arab Emirates and Finland also operate the AMV.

The all-wheel-drive vehicle is capable of speeds of up to 100 km/h, with an operating radius of up to 800km. Its modular armour has been tested to protect against 30mm rounds and blast mines of up to 10kg, as well as nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) threats. The AMV has a nominal crew of three, with space for between eight and 12 troops depending on configuration.

The AMV design is modular, allowing the use of different turrets, weapons, sensors and communications systems. There are three main variations in hull design for different roles while retaining the same running gear. The basic model can be configured as an armoured personnel carrier, infantry fighting vehicle, command post or reconnaissance vehicle. A high-roof model is 30cm taller to provide more interior room for large ambulance or C4I operations or a mobile workshop. The heavy weapons platform version is strengthened to carry large-calibre weapons systems such as the 120mm AMOS mortar or 90/105mm Mobile Gun System (MGS).

Customers have modified their AMVs with indigenous or preferred systems and weapons, from remote weapons stations to anti-aircraft missiles. Slovenia added a specially designed hydraulic rear door that doubles as carrying space for ammunition, anti-tank weapons and a machine gun. The United Arab Emirates variant is 40cm longer than standard to incorporate the more roomy BMP-3 turret without affecting troop capacity. The Polish KTO Rosomak (Wolverine) version initially included scaled down armour to save weight for transport in C-130 Hercules aircraft, before experience in Afghanistan showed the need for greater protection.

For Ian Smith, ‎BAE Systems Australia’s General Manager Land Systems and Support, the variety of customers, systems and operational experience and the fact that the vehicle has already been built in four customer countries, bode well for the tasks of meeting Australia’s Military Off The Shelf (MOTS) requirement and minimising project risk.

“The beauty of the AMV is it gives us a number of options around weapons, while staying within the MOTS category,” he said. “One of our discriminators is just the number of countries that it is in service with and I think we can demonstrate MOTS against all the variants and all the roles quite successfully.”

He points to the AMV’s proven combat capability, including examples of Polish AMVs in Afghanistan surviving mines and multiple rocket propelled grenade hits and returning to base unaided, in one instance minus a wheel.

“The AMV is combat proven in Afghanistan and Chad. Survivability record in those countries has been exceptional.”

The demands of today’s battlefield in terms of armour protection, weapon lethality and communications mean the AMV is a very different beast from the ASLAV it may replace.

“Yes it is an ASLAV replacement, but your protection levels are multiples of what the current ASLAV is,” Smith said. “The existing 25mm weapon is not going to perform the requirement, and then there’s the introduction of the anti-tank guided weapon. All of that means that by necessity the weight’s going to be at least double what the ASLAV is. And we think you’ve got to be in that area if you’re going to offer a capable platform. So whilst on face value they’re both eight-by-eight protected vehicles, or armoured vehicles, they’re very different.”

He believes BAE Systems’ experience as an integrator, covering 1,200 military vehicles in Australia including Land Rovers, the ASLAV and upgrades to 433 M113 armoured vehicles, will be just as important as the vehicle itself.

“We have a track record and capability we can bring to bear from the CV90, Bradley, M88 Hercules, we have current live production lines globally. It’s very clear throughout the tender documentation that they’re looking for a prime system integrator that’s going to be along the journey, not just the acquisition phase but the 30 years of the sustainment. With our system integration capability we have the ability to continue to evolve the platform throughout its life.

“We’re extremely happy with our partner. They are keen to export their product and are willing to export the technology. They have demonstrated that they will do that.”

BAE Systems ‎Director of Land and Integrated Systems, Graeme Bent, said BAE Systems’ experience as an armoured vehicle manufacturer and previous collaboration with Patria in Europe make the partnership a low risk option.

“I would suggest we are the only onshore prime that has that background and credibility,” he said. “It’s the sweet spot for BAE Systems as an Australian entity and as a global company. It’s what we do.”

 

This article first appeared in Australian Defence Magazine VOL.23 No.4, April 2015

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