6 BY CHRISTOPHER F FOSS While tracked armoured fighting vehicles (AFV) continue to be deployed in the region in large numbers, an increasing number of countries are now moving towards a more balanced fleet of tracked and wheeled AFVs. The main advantage of wheeled AFVs is that they can be rapidly moved over long distances under their own power. Wheeled AFV also have lower through-life support costs, are easier to operate and maintain and have lower noise levels. Tracked AFVs are normally transported to their deployment areas by heavy equipment transporters, which in time of crisis are always in short supply. Many countries still use 8x8 AFVs in the traditional armoured personnel carrier (APC) role, fitted
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Trend towards balanced fleets
with a protected weapon station, or a remote weapon station, typically armed with a 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine gun. But the latest vehicles have higher levels of protection and more volume and payload, enabling them to undertake a wider range of battlefield missions, such as an infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), when fitted with a turret armed with a 30mm cannon and coaxial 7.62mm machine gun. The UAE, for example, deploys the Finnish Patria Armoured Modular Vehicle fitted with the complete turret of the Russian tracked BMP-3 IFV, which is armed with a 100mm gun, 30mm dual-feed cannon and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. To supplement its existing fleet of General Dynamics Land Systems – Canada (GDLS-C)
Light Armoured Vehicles (LAV) (8x8), which were delivered many years ago in 10 variants, the Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG) is now taking delivery of a new generation of GDLS-C LAV (8x8), with many of these being fitted with the latest-generation Belgian CMI Defence Cockerill 3000 series two-person turrets. Latest LAV (8x8) for Saudi Arabia with the CMI Defence Cockerill C3030 turret (left) and the 3105 turret (right) armed with a 105mm gun
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