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28 Jul 16. Australia shortlists AMV35, Boxer for future combat reconnaissance vehicle. The four contenders vying to supply 225 wheeled Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles (CRV) to the Australian Army as part of its largest-ever acquisition programme have been cut to two, the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) announced on 28 July.
Kim Gillis, Deputy Secretary of the DoD’s Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG), said in a statement that Rheinmetall Defence’s Boxer multirole armoured vehicle and the Armoured Modular Vehicle (AMV35) proposed by BAE Systems teaming with Patria had been selected to take part in the 12-month Risk Mitigation Activity for the Australian Army’s Mounted Combat Reconnaissance Capability, also known as the Land 400 Phase 2 programme. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
28 Jul 16. North African rivals receive new tanks. Morocco has confirmed that it has taken delivery of the first of its new M1A1SA Abrams tanks, while it regional rival Algeria has received another instalment of T-90 tanks from Russia. The Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR) released photographs of the ceremony marking the arrival of its first Abrams to the state-owned Medi 1 TV news channel, which published them on 26 July and reported that the event had taken place at the Central Establishment for Management and Material Storage (ECGCM) in Nouaceur, near Casablanca. Medi 1 TV did not report how many tanks have been delivered, but one photograph showed the FAR now has at least six. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
27 Jul 16. Letterkenny Army Depot launches upgraded version of RG31 MRAP vehicle. The US Army’s Letterkenny Army Depot has launched a new version of its RG31 mine-resistant combat vehicle.
The latest RG31 has a 300hp engine and a larger transmission that has been upgraded from the 2500 to 3000 series.
An independent suspension was added for improved mobility, in addition to 360° spotlights for night visibility; and an armoured gunner’s hatch.
Letterkenny Army Depot commander colonel Deacon Maddox said: “When most people think of Letterkenny, they think of missiles.
“What many people do not know about Letterkenny is that approximately one third of the depot’s work is the route clearance vehicle, which includes the RG31.”
Developed by BAE Systems in South Africa, the RG31 has a V-shaped monocoque-welded steel hull, which provides protection against IEDs and ballistic threats. The 4×4 armoured mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) route clearance vehicle was originally developed for the MRAP programme, which produces vehicles for the US defence forces.
It provides protection against 7.62mm armoured-piercing ammunition, small arm fires and anti-tank mine detonations.
Maneuver Support Center of Excellence Engineer Regiment deputy commandant James Rowan said: “The army and the nation made a major investment in the MRAP fleet of vehicles.
“This vehicle, the medium mine-protected vehicle that is built on the RG31 MRAP platform, has already saved untold lives and will continue to do so in the future.”
The depot is expected to produce a total of 929 RG31s by 2020. (Source: army-technology.com)
27 Jul 16. Singapore preps Paramount Marauder for 2017 rollout. The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) will soon gain a new protected logistics capability with the planned introduction of the 20-tonne 4×4 Protected Combat Support Vehicle (PCSV) by 2017.
Based on the South African Paramount Marauder mine-resistant, ambush-protected (MRAP) platform, the PCSV has been specifically designed to enable logistics units to support the army’s motorised infantry combat vehicles in high threat environments.
According to official specifications released by Singapore’s Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) in late June, the PCSV is operated by a crew of two seated in a protected cabin and features a payload capa