General AFV Thread

[GMerlon]

Ran across an older book on some tanks, and found some that didn't instantly recognize when flipping through it. See if your guessing is as good as mine. Model names and country are listed in the spoilers below each picture:

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Fiat Tipo 2000 (Italy)

 

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Ford three man tank Mark I (USA)

 

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A3E1 (UK)

 

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Vickers 6-ton (UK; shown in Chinese service)

 

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AMR 33 / Renault Type VM (France)

 

[Wiedzmin]

[SH_MM]

A few years ago, Belgium ordered a modernization for the Pandur 1 AFV, so that they would provide sufficient protection for deployment as part of Belgiums contingent for peace-keeping missions in Africa scheduled in 2021 (although deliveries are currently expected by 2022). Main focus was increase mine protection and ballistic protection to sufficient levels. The value of the contract was €31 million.

 

The Belgian Green Party has now cited an official report mentioning that the upgraded Pandur 1s (7 out of 44 already delivered) are considered not suited for operation, as only soldiers up to a height of 1.7 m (5'5'') actually fit into the vehicle. The main problem is the driver's seat, but also the entry in the vehicle is through the obstructed. Furthermore the mobility of the vehicle is degraded.

 

 

The Belgian army responded to the claims that they haven't yet paid much of the agreed contract, that some performance/ergonomic losses are expected with upgrades, that the problems would not be that relevant and that they want to make use of warranty if required.

[2805662]

Jebus. The steering wheel was the first thing replaced on Australian special operations forces’ Landrovers - in 2002 - when the Survival Enhancement Kit added blast mitigation inside the footwell (driver’s side was 20mm thick, commander’s side was 40mm thick). 
 

Smaller diameter steering wheel meant that the vehicle could still be effectively driven with the SEK added. 

[LoooSeR]

   Iranian MRAP Toufan spotted in Iraq

[FORMATOSE]

On 12/20/2019 at 4:14 PM, SH_MM said:

A few years ago, Belgium ordered a modernization for the Pandur 1 AFV, so that they would provide sufficient protection for deployment as part of Belgiums contingent for peace-keeping missions in Africa scheduled in 2021 (although deliveries are currently expected by 2022). Main focus was increase mine protection and ballistic protection to sufficient levels. The value of the contract was €31 million.

 

The Belgian Green Party has now cited an official report mentioning that the upgraded Pandur 1s (7 out of 44 already delivered) are considered not suited for operation, as only soldiers up to a height of 1.7 m (5'5'') actually fit into the vehicle. The main problem is the driver's seat, but also the entry in the vehicle is through the obstructed. Furthermore the mobility of the vehicle is degraded.

 

The Belgian army responded to the claims that they haven't yet paid much of the agreed contract, that some performance/ergonomic losses are expected with upgrades, that the problems would not be that relevant and that they want to make use of warranty if required.

 

The Pandur is an old design, difficult to upgrade and it was never meant to serve until the 2020s.

[SH_MM]

Pandur EVO shows that it is possible. While newly built, it is largely based on the old desgin (more so than Pandur 2).

 

[David Moyes]

Spain voids production contract for Piranha V:

https://www.ejercitos.org/2019/12/23/defensa-declara-desierto-el-contrato-del-vcr-8x8/
https://www.ejercitos.org/2019/12/24/vcr-8x8-requiem-por-un-sueno/ 

Proposal found unsatisfactory on all fronts:

• Non-compliance with technical requirements
• Failure to comply with the deadlines
• Lack of integration of industrial components required for hull or the turrets under study
• Lack of financial guarantees for possible cost overruns in respect of the amount approved as the program's expenditure ceiling

 "From the aforementioned DIGAM report it seems that the contract will be submitted to public tender"
Article mentions that Iveco Freccia could be considered the favourite. VBCI and Boxer other contenders.

[LoooSeR]

   Some generic questions, but interesting details of practical use of some of AFV-related equipment and knowledge of docs.

 

[LoooSeR]

   Stolen to save here as well - Ariete add-on armor. WAR is against KE (first pic), PSO - versus HEAT warheads.

 

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[LoooSeR]

   Spaghettis are keeping their tank production/industry in some sort of "alive" status. This is better long term decision, looking at bongs "achievements" in this field

[LoooSeR]

   Serbian M-80A during trials.

 

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[LoooSeR]

   Iranian Chieftains (with V-84 engines)

 

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[LoooSeR]

On 1/3/2020 at 2:07 PM, LoooSeR said:

   Serbian M-80A during trials.

 

  Reveal hidden contents

 

 

 

 

   A bit more about BVP M-80A

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   Full details of the M-80A IFV modernization project are not given, but it is reported that the vehicle received enhanced protection, a more powerful engine and a new unmanned turret with weapons in the form of a 30-mm automatic gun (apparently, M-86 type), two 7.62 -mm machine guns (one coaxial with a gun and one in a RCWS on the roof) and two launchers of modernized ATGMs of the Serbian production "Malyutka-2T5" (with semi-automatic radio command guidance) and "Malyutka-2F / 2T" (with semi-automatic wired guidance) . The possibility of installing a 30-mm automatic grenade launcher on the turret is also claimed. The turret is equipped with a modern fire control system and optics, including a thermal imaging sight.

   The Yugoslav infantry fighting vehicle M-80A was mass-produced at the FAMOS enterprise in Khrasnitsa (Bosnia and Herzegovina) from 1981 to 1991, about 900 units were manufactured in total. In 2016, the Serbian army had 323 M-80A infantry fighting vehicles, of which, according to the announced plans, it was planned to upgrade 220 units starting in 2020.

 

   BMP-80A modernization projects have been developed in Serbia more than once since the 1980s, revolving mainly around the installation of a new turret with a 30-mm M-86 gun instead of the old single-seat turret with the M-55 cannon (projects M-80A1 and M- 80 / M98A Vidra, as well as the Yugoimport-SDPR variant, presented in 2017 version M-80AB1), but not one went further than the prototypes. As far as one can judge, the current version of modernization repeats the M-80AB1 in the hull, but is equipped with a completely new unmanned turret with a modern fire control system.

 

   Turret during assembly

 

[Laser Shark]

More trouble in Belgium:

 

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The Belgian cannot deploy 18 anti-tank vehicles against other tanks, even though that was exactly what they were bought for. The problem is with the 90-millimetre cannon (DF90) with which the Piranha-vehicles are equipped.

 

The results of the last tests with armour-piercing ammunition, that took place in November 2019, were negative, according to internal correspondence at the Defence department.

 

“In view of the fact that the problems (…) have still not been solved after about 10 years of use, COL (chief of staff of the land component) has decided that there will no longer be any investment in the vehicle as a fully-fledged anti-tank capacity,” the report said, reports De Morgen.

 

(...)

 

The Piranha’s Direct Fire 90 millimetre cannons have a lot of issues when firing the armour-piercing ammo, including screws coming loose, breaking valves and disintegrating wires due to the heat.

 

https://www.brusselstimes.com/all-news/belgium-all-news/88013/armoured-belgian-anti-tank-vehicles-unable-to-fire-anti-tank-ammunition-pirahna-df90-armour-piercing-ammo-defence/

[FORMATOSE]

1 hour ago, Laser Shark said:

More trouble in Belgium:

 

https://www.brusselstimes.com/all-news/belgium-all-news/88013/armoured-belgian-anti-tank-vehicles-unable-to-fire-anti-tank-ammunition-pirahna-df90-armour-piercing-ammo-defence/

 

Well, firstly, the DF90 was never intended to replace the Leopard 1A5BE,  the purpose of the DF90 is to support infantry combat operations and, if necessary, providing an anti-tank capability.

 

Secondly, no miracle is to be expected from a medium-pressure 90 mm gun against a modern Main Battle Tank.

 

Thirdly, taking into account the additional weight, the running gear of the Piranha IIIC is push to its very limits.

 

Indeed, there was this one rumor with the loosening screws and bolts moving between the hull bottom and the anti-mine double-floor of the Piranha IIIC but as usual, it's overly exaggerated by the press.

 

Finally, I would say that budget cuts and wheels go well with each other. The Land Component believed until the last minute that they will get second-hand Dutch Leopard 2A5/A6.

[Laser Shark]

3 hours ago, Sovngard said:

 

Finally, I would say that budget cuts and wheels go well with each other. The Land Component believed until the last minute that they will get second-hand Dutch Leopard 2A5/A6.

 

That was their mistake. Had they prioritized differently, like the Canadians ended up doing eventually, they could probably have gotten 20-30 second hand Leo 2 for the sum they spent on the DF90s.

[Serge]

Fuel consumption is the ruler here. 

[FORMATOSE]

On 1/10/2020 at 5:41 PM, Laser Shark said:

That was their mistake. Had they prioritized differently, like the Canadians ended up doing eventually, they could probably have gotten 20-30 second hand Leo 2 for the sum they spent on the DF90s.

 

I was making reference to the tankers themselves.

 

Main battle tanks were seen by the Directorate General of Material Resources (DGMR) as heavy, fuel-hungry, Cold War relics which doesn't comply with a very tight budget.

 

It's good to still have main battle tanks, but if you cannot even deploy them abroad, there's not much point in having them.

[Serge]

An MPF like platform can be an affordable solution. 

[Clan_Ghost_Bear]

A new MICV for Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force. Appears very similar to the Type 89.

[David Moyes]

Spanish 8x8:

https://www.elconfidencial.com/empresas/2020-01-14/defensa-blindados-ejercito-contrato-europa_2409572/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=BotoneraWeb

• Spain looking into joining Boxer OCCAR
• Industry thinks Boxer ticks the most boxes
• Won't buy American. Want full sovereignty and autonomy on parts
•  VBCI and Iveco other contenders

[LoooSeR]

   Few more pics of Serbian M-80A

 

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[Serge]

On 1/13/2020 at 3:19 AM, Clan_Ghost_Bear said:

A new MICV for Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force. Appears very similar to the Type 89.

It said to be a test platform to consider new layout to prepare the the next IFV. 

[LoooSeR]

   Morocco, rare photos of VT-1A

 

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