Ukraine wants light tanks FV101 Scorpion
Armored personnel carrier FV103, which arrived in Ukraine in 2022. Photo by Telegram / Outpost
Over the past year, the armored fleet of the Kyiv regime has suffered critical damage, and now he is trying to make up for the losses by any means. Ukrainian public and private organizations are trying to find and literally mine any available samples of armored vehicles. Not so long ago it became known about the desire to buy a number of British lungs tanks FV101 Scorpion. This technique has been idle for a long time, and now it is getting a chance to return to service.
Used equipment
Last spring, a few weeks after the start of the Russian Special Operation, Great Britain expressed its readiness to transfer to Ukraine a large number of various armored vehicles in order to help. The list of possible deliveries included armored personnel carriers FV103 Spartan of the CVR (T) family. At the beginning of summer, the first vehicles of this type appeared in Ukraine and soon found themselves in the combat zone.
In parallel, the possibility of transferring and selling other machines of the CVR (T) family to Ukraine was discussed. In particular, it could receive FV101 light tanks, FV102 self-propelled anti-tank missile systems or FV105 command and control vehicles. In addition, they officially announced the imminent delivery of Stormer HVM self-propelled anti-aircraft systems on a modified CVR (T) chassis.
"Stormers" with anti-aircraft missiles soon got to Ukraine, while the supply of other samples remained at the level of general ideas and discussions. However, later the situation began to change. So, in November, one of the Ukrainian "volunteer" organizations, headed by showman Serhiy Prytula, announced a fundraiser for the purchase of British armored vehicles of the CVR (T) family. The goal of the campaign was to raise 200 million hryvnia, which were going to buy 50 units. technology. In the future, the target amount was increased, and the desired number of cars increased to hundreds.
In early March, the first results of the collection campaign became known. With the money received, "volunteers" purchased 24 CVR (T) cars in the UK. The seller was a British private firm, which in the past bought decommissioned equipment from the armed forces. On the occasion of the purchase, the organizer of the training camp published a video in which he showed the equipment. Vehicles of several types of the family were captured in the frame, with the exception of the FV101 light tank.
Decommissioned British tank FV101 at the celebrations. Photo by Wikimedia Commons
At the end of March, the Scorpion tank again hit news. "Volunteers" report on the fundamental possibility of buying such equipment. Each car will cost £90. After a simple and short preparation, the tanks can be transferred to units. They are invited to equip the units of the so-called. territorial defense.
However, so far it is only a matter of principle. As far as we know, there is no contract for the supply of FV101 Scorpion tanks yet. Probably, there is no money for their purchase. However, it cannot be ruled out that funds will be found, and another batch of long-obsolete foreign armored vehicles will be sent to Ukraine.
Technique of venerable age
Again, we are talking about deliveries and plans to purchase old and obsolete foreign equipment. The Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) family of armored vehicles on a unified tracked chassis was created in the sixties according to the requirements of the British army that were relevant at that time. With the help of new armored vehicles, it was planned to replace the armored personnel carriers, armored vehicles and other samples of the previous generation that were available in the troops.
By the end of the decade, the CVR (T) project reached the stage of field testing of experimental equipment. In 1970, the first samples of the family were put into service - the FV101 Scorpion light tank and the FV107 Scimitar reconnaissance vehicle. Over the next few years, several more products came into service: armored personnel carriers, self-propelled anti-tank systems, KShM, an ambulance and BREM.
The production of CVR (T) equipment for the British army continued until 1986. By this time, 1863 combat vehicles of all types had been built. Light tank "Scorpion" became one of the most massive models of the family - 313 units. In addition, production was carried out on export orders. Taking into account deliveries abroad, the number of serial CVR (T) reached 3500 units. The total number of foreign operators exceeded two dozen.
"Scorpion" at the exhibition. Photo by Wikimedia Commons
The British FV101 tanks were actively used by the army and repeatedly participated in various exercises and in real operations. So, in 1974, tanks were deployed in Cyprus. In 1982, four Scorpion tanks and four Scimitar infantry fighting vehicles with crews participated in the Falklands War. It is curious that these were all the armored forces of the British side. In 1991, CVR(T) vehicles of all types participated in Desert Storm.
In the early nineties, it became obvious that the CVR (T) family was becoming obsolete, and the age of technology was growing. In addition, the military-political situation has changed. In this regard, in 1994, the FV101 Scorpion light tank was removed from service as unnecessary. In the future, the same thing happened with other types of equipment.
Unnecessary cars were put into storage or sold, both to private companies and to third countries. A significant number of equipment still remained in storage sites, army or owned by private companies. Now a certain number of "Scorpions" and other cars are being bought out by various structures to make up for the losses of the Kyiv regime.
Light tank
The FV101 Scorpion is a light air transportable tank designed to escort and provide fire support to infantry and airborne units. Its combat weight does not exceed 8,1 tons. The length is less than 5,3 m with a width and height of approx. 2,1 m. Due to the reduction in size and weight, high mobility characteristics were achieved, and overall mobility was improved - the tank can be transported by military transport aircraft of various types.
"Scorpion" is made on the basis of a welded aluminum body with a front engine compartment. Frontal armor is only 12,7 mm thick, but provides protection against 14,5 mm bullets at distances of 200 m. Other parts of the armor protect against 7,62 mm bullets and shrapnel. Additional overhead booking is not provided. For the purpose of protection, smoke grenade launchers can be used.
FV101 UAE Army. Photo by Wikimedia Commons
Production FV101s were equipped with a 190 hp Cummins BTA diesel engine. and mechanical transmission. Power is delivered to the front drive wheels. The undercarriage has five road wheels with torsion bar suspension on each side. Estimated maximum speed - 72 km / h. As part of the experiment, the tank was able to accelerate to 82,23 km / h. With the help of additional floats, Scorpion can swim across water obstacles at a speed of up to 5-6 km/h.
The armament of the tank is located in the turret. All-round aiming is provided with elevation angles from -10° to +35°. Guidance is carried out using manual drives, which limits the speed of rotation. Main weapons tank is a 76-mm gun L23A1, capable of using high-explosive fragmentation, high-explosive armor-piercing (with a crushable head) and other shells. The effective firing range is up to 2,2 km. On the gun mount is a coaxial machine gun L7 caliber 7,62 mm.
The crew of the FV101 tank consists of three people. The driver is in the building. The commander-gunner and loader work in the tower. The crew has internal and external communication facilities. For greater comfort of service, an onboard water tank and a small boiler for heating it are provided.
Obvious prospects
Following the FV103 Spartan armored personnel carriers, the FV101 Scorpion light tanks, as well as other samples of the CVR (T) family, may appear in Ukraine in the near future. The Ukrainian side positions the purchase of such equipment as an important step with great prospects for the army. However, it is already clear that the real results of such deliveries will not meet expectations.
The light tank "Scorpion" was developed more than half a century ago according to the requirements of that time, which determined the level of its tactical and technical characteristics. All the main parameters of such a machine leave much to be desired and do not meet modern requirements for a long time. FV101 is hopelessly outdated, and no measures will allow it to be modernized.
FV101s are still in service with Iran. Photo Tasnim News
The existing armored hull and turret protect against low-energy fragments and 14,5 mm bullets, and only in the frontal projection. Small-caliber artillery or any anti-tank weapons are guaranteed to penetrate such armor at all firing ranges. Additional protection can be increased mobility due to low weight. However, it does not guarantee tank survival, especially on difficult terrain.
The regular 76-mm rifled gun of the Scorpion tank has low performance. In terms of firepower and firing range, it is inferior to common larger-caliber systems. Compatible high-explosive armor-piercing shells can only hit light armored vehicles, but are useless against tanks and fortifications. At the same time, high-explosive fragmentation ammunition is still suitable for infantry fire support. However, the caliber limits the power of the projectile and the effectiveness of the fire.
Reason for doubt
Thus, the old British light tank FV101 Scorpion on the modern battlefield poses some danger to infantry and light armored vehicles, but faces high risks of being destroyed by return fire. The possibility of the effective use of such technology in a full-fledged modern conflict is highly questionable.
However, Ukrainian "volunteers" are ready to buy even such equipment. In the current situation and taking into account objective processes, Ukrainian units will be happy with any armored vehicles. However, already in the first battle, all reasons for optimism will predictably disappear, and several pieces of equipment will disappear along with them.
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