Armored vehicles: first battlefield, and now the police
While for the military, the use of heavy armored vehicles is the rule, except for security forces and police. ... Or was it an exception?
With the spread of terrorism, the role of police units in Europe has changed. More and more units are equipped with military-style weapons to repel attacks with small weapons like a Kalashnikov assault rifle, military-style bulletproof vests, and in some cases, armored vehicles, both military standards and specialized ones; the latter often have levels of protection that differ from NATO’s military standards STANAG. Today, the most common is the VPAM BRV 2009 (9 levels) standard, which, compared to the previous BRV 1999 standard (7 levels), takes into account bullets flying from any angle into any part of the car.
The armored car from Trucks Defense Sherpa Light, equipped with an assault ladder, is armed with a special anti-terrorist unit of the French gendarmerie
Along with special police units of the border police, serving in open areas and often at borders with aggressive neighboring countries, are also equipped with military-style vehicles. As the boundary between internal security and military security is increasingly blurred, the number of armored vehicles offered by the industry is growing, and therefore it is worth looking at what the market currently offers.
The armored car PVP Patrol, which is in service with the French police, was designed and manufactured by Panhard Defense
Having been subjected to numerous terrorist attacks, France was one of the first in Europe to equip its elite police units with armored vehicles. After acquiring armored vehicles for the transportation of money, a special unit of RAID (Recherche, Assistance, Intervention, Dissuasion - search, assistance, intervention, deterrence) of the national police purchased a certain amount of PVP (Petit averageule Protege) armored vehicles from Panhard Defense (part of Volvo Group Government Sales, VGGS) which are widely exploited by the french army. The armored car, also known as the Dagger, has a total mass of 5,5 tons, is easily placed in military transport aircraft of the C-130 class and can accommodate three to four police officers who are protected from ballistic threats up to the STANAG 2 4569 Level. It is equipped with an 160 horsepower engine, which allows it to develop a maximum speed of 105 km / h. PVP / Dagger armored vehicles should be deployed in the 10 anti-terrorism units of the GIPN (Groupes dTntervention de la Police Nationale) national police, deployed in major French cities and in overseas territories. BRI / BAC units (Brigade de Recherche et d'Intervention / Brigade Anti Commando - search and combat combat brigade) also have these armored vehicles in service. Because of its size, PVP / Dagger is great for reconnaissance missions and transportation of small groups.
The PVP armored car, also known as Dagger, is in service not only with the special RAID unit of the French police, but also with the anti-terrorist groups spread throughout the country
To conduct planned assaults, RAID special detachments were leased by Renault Trucks Defense (RTD, also part of VGGS) to the Sherpa Light 4xXNNXX armored personnel carrier. It accommodates up to 4 police officers plus a crew of two people, its modular booking system allows you to raise protection to the third level of the STANAG standard. Sherpa Light, offered with different power units, has a total mass of 8 tons, the internal volume is more than 11 м10, it reaches speeds up to 3 km / h. This vehicle is in service with the anti-terrorism unit of the French gendarmerie GIGN (Groupe d'lntervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale), which received two vehicles in a configuration with an assault ladder. The modular platform, installed on Sherpa, is equipped with a hydraulic ramp and allows access to objects at a height of 110 meters, which is enough to get to the upper deck of aircraft such as B-8,65 and A-747, because GIGN also specializes in storming aircraft. RTD offers its Sherpa Light platform also in the ARX XL version, which has a large internal volume and five doors instead of three, which allows you to leave the car faster. RTD also has an Higuard 380x6 armored vehicle in its portfolio, which has already been sold to countries in the Middle and Far East (photo below).
This armored 21 tonne truck, based on the medium category Sherpa chassis, has two crew members and 10 paratroopers. Reserving this armored vehicle provides anti-bullet protection complying with the 3 STANG Level, while the company can provide a higher level of protection in its VAB Mk III 6xXNNXX armored personnel carrier, which accommodates as many people as in the Higuard model. ASMAT, the third pillar of the VGGS group, offers its Bastion 6X4 with a full weight of 4 tons and passenger capacity of 12 + 2, protected in accordance with the NATO 8 Level.
The company ASMAT, specializing in off-road trucks, has developed a series of Bastion armored vehicles, also offered to police units
Nexter, a French company, leased a Titus 6x6 armored vehicle to a special RAID unit during the COP2015 climate conference held in Paris in December, 21, less than a month after the terrorist attacks in Paris and its environs. The armored vehicle, based on the Tatra 6x6 chassis with a spinal frame and independently swinging half-axles, has a total mass of 23 tons, accommodates the crew of the 3 man and the 12 man of the assault force, who leave the car through the aft ramp with power drive. Quite a large payload allows you to increase the level of protection from the 2 level to the 4 level. Nexter offers the SWAT version, equipped with an assault ladder, as well as a version with a water cannon and a mast optocoupler observation system.
At the time of major events in Paris, Nexter leased a Titus 6x6 RAID special squad to increase its operational capabilities.
The Titus model in the assault ladder version is offered by Nexter to French and foreign police forces.
The German company Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles recently received a first order from the police for their Survivor R 4x4 with a one-volume cab, based on the MAN TGM paramilitary truck chassis. Joint development with the company Achleitner accommodates two crew members and 10 police in the rear amphibious assault. The machine is available in various configurations, with one or two doors on board and a double door in the stern. The diesel engine develops power 330 HP, own weight is 10,9 tons, and net payload 4,1 tons. Ballistic protection corresponds to STANAG 3 4569 Level, while mine protection is 4 Level. To further increase the level of protection, you can install additional booking kits. The height of the original machine is 2,7 meters; however, the first customer from the police, a special unit Saxony SEK, requested a raised roof and therefore it was raised to 250 mm.
Although the German police do not seem inclined to purchase armored vehicles, Rheinmetall still offered its model Survivor R; two cars purchased for their police one of the Lands of Germany
The GFF4 armored car in the 4x4 configuration with the full weight of 18 tons is offered for particularly complex tasks, in particular, a counterterrorism orientation
Another large German manufacturer, the company KMW, developed the Dingo armored vehicle for the military, but with an eye also on the needs of the militias. The first Dingo 1 model, based on the Unimog chassis, has a total mass of 8,8 tons, a tonnage capacity of 1,4 tons and an HP 240 engine. Later, it was replaced by a new version of the Dingo 2, based on the upgraded chassis Unimog U5000 and whose load capacity increased by 3 tons to 12,5 tons. This option was bought by the police, but at the moment only two cars have been ordered.
The GFF4 armored car, based on the Iveco Trakker chassis and equipped with an armored cab, is undoubtedly a high-end police car.
KMW also offers the Dingo 2 HD version and the GFF4 armored vehicle in the 4x4 configuration, developed in collaboration with the Italian Iveco DV, which provided its chassis. Dingo HD has the full mass of 14,5 tons and a load capacity of 3 tons with an increased level of protection, while the GFF4 has a mass of 18 tons, the engine on the 400 hp. and accommodates 10 cops. To date, there is no information on the sale of these cars to police structures.
The photo clearly shows the work of the suspension system of the armored car Survivor R, which allows you to overcome rough terrain
Dingo 2 (pictured in the Heavy Duty version) is the main offer of KMW to the police; Two Dingo 2 armored vehicles were purchased by German police.
If the German police seem to be rather reluctant to acquire military modifications, in the case of Turkey, another NATO member, everything is different. A powerful security system based on the gendarmerie and the police guards not only public order, but also fulfills the tasks of ensuring security in areas of distributed settlement. It is not surprising that Turkish vehicle manufacturers see militarized and police structures as a key market for their products.
The Otokar Cobra II armored car, being the successor of the Cobra, is in service with the Turkish security forces and many foreign military and paramilitary structures.
Otokar, one of the major vehicle manufacturers in Turkey, supplies various models of armored vehicles to the national security services and currently offers dual-purpose wheeled vehicles for both military and paramilitary purposes. In the wake of its success with the Cobra armored car, adopted by the Turkish security forces and several foreign countries, the Otokar company developed a new version of the Cobra II, also adopted by the Turkish security forces. This model with independent suspension has twice the total weight compared to the original Cobra, 13 tons versus 6,3 tons; As a result, in order to keep the specific power at an acceptable level, the engine power was raised from 190 to 360 hp. The new car holds the same number of people: the crew, the driver, the commander and the gunner, plus seven soldiers in the rear troop compartment. The machine has a greater length, which allowed to increase the internal volume and raise the levels of protection, although they remain classified. Thanks to the adopted modular protection concept, the load capacity allows for increased levels of protection. In 2013, Otokar developed the Ural 4x4 lightweight armored vehicle to meet current requirements and future expectations of internal security forces. The all-welded body of armor steel, based on the 4x4 chassis with independent front suspension and a continuous rear axle, has a high level of protection from small arms fire, fragments, as well as some types of mines and IEDs. Gross weight is 6,4 tons, hp diesel engine with 168 power. connected to a six-speed automatic transmission, a three-door configuration accommodates up to 10 people, including the driver, while the five-door version can accommodate up to 9 people. Armored Ural is in service with military and paramilitary units of Turkey and several other countries.
The Ural armored car developed by Otokar with an eye to the security forces has now developed into a logistics vehicle for the armed forces.
The company Nurol Makina, initially specialized in the design and construction of industrial enterprises and large-scale production of metal structures and machinery, later engaged in the production of armored vehicles. As part of the Nurol group (the group owns 51% of FNSS, which is one of the major players in the heavy armored vehicle industry), Nurol Makina focuses on the production of lighter wheeled vehicles, many of which are intended for security structures. The newly introduced llgaz platform, unprecedentedly named llgaz II, has a higher payload and level of protection, but at the same time retains the passenger capacity of the 2 + 7 and the five-door configuration, while fire embrasures are integrated into the side doors. The new version has its own mass of 7,5 tons with a lifting capacity of 1,3 tons, an engine with an output of 300 hp. connected to a six-speed automatic transmission. On roads, the car moves in 4x2 mode, four-wheel drive turns on when driving over rough terrain, the suspension system includes coil springs and hydraulic shock absorbers.
Ilgaz II, the successor of the model Ilgaz, proposed by Nurol Makina for the police operating on difficult terrain
For operations in remote areas, for example, to protect borders, Nurol Makina also offers its all-wheel drive armored Ejder Yalcin 4x4. It is designed for military use and, thanks to its one-dimensional V-shaped hull, has a significantly higher level of protection, especially from mines and IEDs (up to 4a / 3b Level). The armored vehicle has a total mass of 11 tons and a load capacity of 4 tons, it accommodates up to 11 police officers. In the car, equipped with an independent suspension of all wheels, an 375 hp engine is installed.
Turkish security forces Ejder Yalcin armored car has very good protection against mines and improvised explosive devices
The Kirpi armored car, based on the Israeli Navigator platform developed by Hatehof (now Carmor) and manufactured under license by the Turkish Navy company, was adopted by the Turkish army as an MRAP vehicle. The armored vehicle with its own weight of 18 tons and carrying capacity of 1,6 tons holds up to 13 people who are provided with high levels of anti-bullet and mine protection. Engine mounted on 375 HP with a six-speed automatic transmission. The car is sold to several countries, with the order of Kirpi's 200 platforms being operated by the Turkish security forces.
The Streit Group, having in its 20 portfolio models of armored vehicles, is undoubtedly one of the major manufacturers of equipment designed for paramilitary structures. In the weight category of less than 6,5 tons, we see two cars, the Cobra and the Cougar. The first of these is available in 3-x and 5-door configurations, it accommodates two crew members plus 8 and 7 people respectively in the rear compartment. With a net weight of 4760 kg and a gross weight of 5760 kg, the Cobra is distinguished by an independent front suspension and is available with two different power units with 268 or 305 hp. The ballistic protection complies with the level of FB6 in accordance with the European ballistic standards EN 1522 / 1523, that is, the machine can withstand the hit of the NATO X7.62 51x80 bullet and the detonation of two DM51 fragmentation grenades. However, protection can be upgraded to FB7. which guarantees resistance to blasting on a DM31 anti-tank mine. The Cougar armored vehicle is slightly lighter and smaller in size than the Cobra model, but has the same levels of protection; it houses a 8 man, including the crew. For a machine with switchable all-wheel drive and front and rear solid axles, two 228 or 268 hp engines are available. In the category from 6,5 to 10 tons for militarized structures, three more models are offered: Spartan, Warrior, and the recently introduced to the general public Gepard.
Let's start with the newest machine in the portfolio of Streit. The Gepard armored vehicle has its own weight of 7300 kg and carrying capacity of 1500 kg, can carry up to 8 people, the seating position can be changed depending on customer requirements. With its cargo platform, the Gepard armored vehicle is suitable for installing a weapon system, for example, a mortar set. The machine can be installed power unit power 300 or 381 hp, the levels of protection are the same as those of the above models. Armored Spartan has the same own weight and capacity, the same power unit and the number of seats, but structurally different, because instead of the cargo area has an extended troop compartment with aft door.
Gepard is the newest addition to the Streit Group's portfolio. Its gross weight is slightly less than 9 tons, the rear cargo platform allows you to install an assault ladder
The Warrior armored vehicle has similar characteristics, but the extended wheelbase allowed for increased passenger capacity; this model accommodates two crew members and 12 paratroopers on two benches. When moving to heavier vehicles, protection becomes better, while military standards are applied. The Gladiator and Scorpion models have the same mass, their own 11 tons and payloads of 2 tons, but the rest is quite different. The Streit company classifies the first model as AHV (Armored Heavy Vehicle - heavy armored vehicle). Mainly intended for the transport of personnel (up to 12 people are placed in the vehicle), the Gladiator armored vehicle has basic protection 2 Level, mine protection 2 Level / b; It is possible to increase ballistic protection to 3 and 4 Levels, as well as mine protection (undermining a DM31 anti-tank mine). On a machine with both continuous bridges, an 276 horsepower engine is installed. The Scorpion model with independent suspension and HP 300 engine. focused primarily on work on rough terrain. Five doors allow you to quickly leave the car ten policemen. Basic ballistic protection corresponds to the 3 Level and anti-mine 2 Level / b. The supplementary booking kit allows you to increase both the level of ballistic protection to the fourth and mine action (detonation of a DM31 mine). The heaviest Typhoon model with a fully independent suspension belongs to the category of MRAP, has its own weight of 13 tons and carrying capacity of 2 tons; for her, a choice of two power units with power 300 or 400 HP Vserakursnaya protection corresponds to the level of 2, but can be increased: ballistic to the level of 4 and mine to resistance to undermining on DM31 under the bottom.
The Gladiator armored car with a high level of protection is offered by the Streit Group for transporting personnel across not too difficult terrain, because it has continuous bridges. Other machines of the company are designed for more complex reliefs.
The car can accommodate ten people, including two crew members. The Streit Group reluctantly names its customers, but according to its information, all the above-mentioned vehicles are bought for police and paramilitary structures in many countries.
Another major player in the field of military and security vehicles is, of course, the International Armored Group, which specializes in commercial and tactical vehicles. Its branches are located in many countries, including those in the United States. Canada, UK, Pakistan and Turkey. The newest addition to her portfolio is the Rila armored vehicle of the MRAP category, based on the chassis of the Iveco Trakker truck and first presented at DSEI 2017. The single-volume all-welded cab of armored steel meets the requirements of the third level of security of the NATO standard STANAG 4569. 12 employees get into the Rila car through two front doors and one rear door. The V-shaped hull and the bottom reservation kit provide mine protection that corresponds to the STANAG 4569 Level of A / b, which allows the use of the Rila model for border security in particularly dangerous areas. At IDEX 2015, the company showed the Sentry armored personnel carrier based on the Toyota Land Cruiser 70 chassis with anti-bullet protection at the level of CEN B6. The machine can take on board up to 8 people; Available with petrol and diesel engine options.
The armored company Jaws of the International Armored Group, based on the Toyota Land Cruiser 200 chassis, is in service with the Malaysian police. The company also offers an assault ladder option.
The Jaws model is based on the Toyota Land Cruiser 200 chassis, has the same capacity, but a higher level of protection CEN B7. This year Malaysia announced that it had bought eight such cars for its police. Jaws can be equipped with lifting systems so that special forces can penetrate buildings, airplanes, trains, buses and other tall objects. In order to expand its product range, IAG offers the Sentinel model on the Ford F550 chassis with either a diesel or a gasoline engine. Ten people on board are protected by the B7 level, while providing “some bottom protection”.
The Ejder Toma water cannon is designed and manufactured by the Turkish company Nurol Makina; water tank capacity is 5000 liters
The Nurol Makina Ejder Kunter armored vehicle has the same chassis as the Tota water cannon, and its protected cabin can be equipped for a variety of tasks.
Born to work in the police
While the vehicles described in this article have dual purposes, as they can be used for military or police / paramilitary tasks in essentially different configurations, some armored vehicles are undoubtedly designed only for the police.
The French company RTD offers the MIDS platform (MI-Dlum Securite, based on the chassis of the Midlum truck). Due to the internal volume of the 18 m 3, the 14 ton vehicle can accommodate the 2 crew of a person and the 10 police with all their equipment. Also on the basis of the machine, you can organize a control point, which houses the 2 crew member and five operators of different specialties. Protected from ballistic threats, as well as from stones and incendiary bombs, the machine can be equipped with a dozer blade. The MIDS armored vehicle, available in 4x2 or 4x4 configurations, was sold to countries in Europe, the Middle East and Latin America.
The MIDS armored vehicle from Renault Trucks Defense, having a protected volume of 18 м3, can be equipped for various tasks, starting from the personnel transporter and ending with the control point
The armored anti-riot Armored Riot Control of the Strelt Group company is based on the chassis of a Mercedes-Benz truck with an HP 320 engine. It is equipped with two water cannons that can shoot 60 meters and more, as well as a water tank with a volume of 6000 liters. The company is ready to offer a case based on different chassis, which makes the size of the tank and the number of water guns controlled from the panel in the troop compartment significantly depend. The housing has a B6 protection level plus climbing protection. The machine is also equipped with a tear gas circular spray system and a front dozer blade. Nurol Makina also offers a machine with an Ejder Toma water cannon on an 4x4 chassis with a HP 286 engine. The volume of the tank is 5000 liters, while the installation can spray various combinations of water, paint, gas and foam. At the same chassis, the company offers the Ejder Kunter version in the 4x4 configuration with special protected cabins, the configuration of which depends on the requirements of the customer.
Based on the ISV model, Otokar developed a version with a water cannon (pictured in the 4x4 configuration). Also available version 6x6. equipped with two water cannons and a larger tank
Otokar's Internal Security Vehicle as a personnel transporter. ISV was created to suppress aggression during riots.
The Otokar ISV armored vehicle weighing 18 tons has a chassis with a ladder frame; It is designed for heavy duty and cross-country driving. On a machine with permanent all-wheel drive, an 430 horsepower engine is installed. with 12-speed automatic transmission and two-speed transfer case. The machine can be supplied in various configurations: personnel transporter, control center, paddy wagon, sanitary; It can be equipped with various systems, including turrets, grenade launchers, acoustic guns, dozer blades, or “pushing” people. External flat inclined panels on the body do not allow violators to climb onto the car, and an inclined roof does not allow burning objects, such as Molotov cocktails, to stay on it. An ISV is usually a crew of 16 people, including the commander and driver. It is also available in a water gun configuration that comes with an auxiliary force installed on the 100 hp, a tank for 6000 liters and spraying devices for gas, paint and foam. Also available are options 6x4 or 6x6 with a tank of 10000 liters and two water cannons. The Otokar ISV police car is currently in service with the police in several countries.
On the materials of the sites:
www.defenceiq.com
www.rheinmetall.com
www.panhard-defense.eu
www.renault-trucks-defense.com
www.nexter-group.fr
www.otokar.com.tr
www.nurolmakina.com.tr
armored-cars.com
military-informant.com
www.flickr.com
en.wikipedia.org
www.avtovzglyad.ru
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