UK Military Vehicle Purchases for Iraq / Afghanistan

[gf0012-aust]

Er, an SASR Warrant Officer anyway... :

Considering that WO's are the closest thing to God (depending on your perspective of course!) I guess I should wash my mouth out with soap.

My excuse is that I'm getting over the flu and my head still feels like the inside of a washing machine on full cycle.

 

[European]

The IVECO LMV Panther?

 

[riksavage]

Due to the success of the earlier upgraded FV430’s the UK has now decided to upgrade an additional 400, bringing the total to 900, the intent being to replace the overworked Warriors operating in Iraq.

Quote: “Whilst the up-armoured "Bulldogs" lack the Warrior's 30mm cannon and blazing speed, they are better protected, have air conditioning, are less hostile-looking to locals, and aren't as apt to tear up local roads due to improved tread designs.

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/hey-bulldog-britain-orders-more-up-armored-fv430s-03468/#more

Makes sense to me, the Warriors can be returned to the UK for a much needed service and refit, leaving the Bulldogs to provide protection for troops on the ground supplimented by the Mastiffs and Vectors. As the UK winds down in Iraq I’m sure some of these vehicles will be handed over to the Iraqi military to bolster there own forces.

The article also mentions the Canadians are bringing in more M113’s to Afghanistan due to the proven inability of their wheeled LAV-IIIs to handle key combat mobility requirements there – The old dilemma of tracked vs. wheels raises its ugly head and justifies the need for both. Those nations such as NZ who have gone to an ALL wheeled vehicle fllet may one day regret their decision .

 

[DD7578]

Gun mount on Mastiff

Hi,
Does anyone have information about the mount (360 deg shield) on the Mastiff's roof ?
I guess it's designed for 7.62 and 0.50cal guns, but i'd like to know who manufactures it ? Maybe it's just provided by Force Protection...
Thanks !

 

[sashikanth]

Admin. One liner deleted.

Please read your PM and take note.

 

[Izzy1]

A Good step in the right direction.

What is?

These one-liners of yours are becoming a touch irritating.

 

[RubiconNZ]

What is?

These one-liners of yours are becoming a touch irritating.

Tell me about it, I have never bothered with the ignore function before but in this case I might make an exception and use it on him.

 

[riksavage]

The three FRES wheeled vehicles are now undertaking there final trials at Bovington, the winner will be announced in November with a potential order for 3000 different configerations.

What's your favourate?

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/D...rNextGenerationOfArmouredVehiclesUnveiled.htm

 

[buglerbilly]

LAV V will win, Boxer would cause too much loss-of-face and I'm NOT sure the ability to replace bodies adds anything apart from weight.

VBCI is the "poor cousin" in all of this and I hardly see the UK Government's main Allies (who virtually all use LAV's of one type or another) being too happy about the UK operating "orphan" armoured vehicles.

It also looks significantly smaller than the others?

 

[riksavage]

Agreed, with the LAV we can leverage off the experience of the US, Aus and Canada our key allies in Afghanistan. The fact that the UK is looking at a line of sight gun platform means the recent US striker experiments will bring much to the table.

The French option was never a serious contender, too new and not in the same class as the Boxer. The latter will be a difficult option for reasons you have already mentioned, however it's my favourate.

 

[riksavage]

According to the Telegraph:

"Lord Drayson hinted that an announcement could be imminent on purchasing an off-the-shelf Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle designed in America or South Africa." This is seen as an interim solution until FRES arrives in 2012.

Drayson also went on to say:

"That the dire lack of transport helicopters and spare parts for Apache attack helicopters that is hindering the campaign in Helmand might soon be resolved. "We are looking at our helicopter needs" and a decision had been taken "not to deny people what they need”, he said.

The Labour party are clearly on drugs, the poor old conservatives don't know what's hit them, they are the ones who are supposed to spend the money, not the traditional lefties!!

 

[harryriedl]

According to the Telegraph:

"Lord Drayson hinted that an announcement could be imminent on purchasing an off-the-shelf Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle designed in America or South Africa." This is seen as an interim solution until FRES arrives in 2012.

Drayson also went on to say:

"That the dire lack of transport helicopters and spare parts for Apache attack helicopters that is hindering the campaign in Helmand might soon be resolved. "We are looking at our helicopter needs" and a decision had been taken "not to deny people what they need”, he said.

The Labour party are clearly on drugs, the poor old conservatives don't know what's hit them, they are the ones who are supposed to spend the money, not the traditional lefties!!

have pity on Cameron's hug a hoodie party they seem to be out gunned on everything especially in defense i wonder if more merlins will be ordered or more CH-47 as both seem to be very good in hot and high conditions.

what is it with Labor these days with all this free spending [not that im complying it just seems very unlabor like]

 

[Waylander]

Fingers crossed for the Boxer.

Not just because I think it is a good option IF you put your main emphasis on protection but because for the fun of the Brits taking a vehicle after leaving the program some time ago.

 

[swerve]

LAV V will win, Boxer would cause too much loss-of-face and I'm NOT sure the ability to replace bodies adds anything apart from weight.

VBCI is the "poor cousin" in all of this and I hardly see the UK Government's main Allies (who virtually all use LAV's of one type or another) being too happy about the UK operating "orphan" armoured vehicles.

It also looks significantly smaller than the others?

http://www.nexter-group.fr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=91&Itemid=79
http://www.artec-boxer.com/
http://www.gdls.com/programs/piranha.html/specs.html

It's between the Piranha IV & Boxer in length, height & weight, same width as a Boxer, wider than a Piranha IV.

 

[Musashi_kenshin]

what is it with Labor these days with all this free spending [not that im complying it just seems very unlabor like]

They're not spending that much on defence. I think it's more the case of some clever expectation manipulation. Drops lots of rumours about cuts and then when you make a small increase people get excited.

Defence spending as a proportion of GDP is falling, as it's going up slower than the economy is growing.