CATV program: BvS 10 all-terrain vehicles for three countries
BvS 10 all-terrain vehicles for the CATV program
Sweden, Germany and the UK are about to upgrade their fleets of off-road multi-purpose vehicles. To do this, in the recent past, they launched a joint CATV program, the purpose of which is to jointly purchase one of the existing serial models of equipment. To date, the program has reached the stage of placing orders and preparing for future production.
Joint purchase
The CATV (Collaborative All-Terrain Vehicle) program started in early 2019. Initially, six countries showed interest in it, but in the spring of 2020 only four joined the work. The leading role in the program was entrusted to Sweden; Great Britain, Germany and the Netherlands joined it as participants and buyers. The latter later left the program. The remaining three countries do not rule out that in the future, as it is implemented, CATV will have new participants.
Back in 2019-20. program participants studied their needs and offers in the market. Based on the results of the analysis, all countries decided to purchase Swedish-made BvS 10 two-link articulated tracked carriers in the latest version. The machines will be supplied in different configurations - both as conveyors and as carriers of various loads.
Last year, CATV participants completed all preliminary activities and negotiations. As a result, at the end of November, the main agreement of the program appeared. The purchasing department of the Swedish Ministry of Defense Försvarets materielverk (FMV) issued a contract to the Swedish branch of BAE Systems Corporation for the production of equipment for three countries.
According to the terms of the document, in 2024-29. the executing company will have to manufacture and transfer to customers a total of 436 BvS 10 two-link conveyors. It is planned to produce equipment in five different configurations to solve different problems. The total value of the contract reached USD 760 million. There is also an option for further production of conveyors in the interests of individual participants in the program.
Wishes and Needs
In accordance with last year's contract, BAE Systems is to manufacture 436 new transporters. The FMV will receive them and distribute them among the three countries participating in the CATV program. The bulk of the equipment, 236 units, will remain in Sweden. Another 140 cars were planned to be sent to Germany, and the British share is only 60 units.
The construction of equipment in five basic configurations is envisaged. Unified chassis and hulls will be used, on which the necessary equipment will be installed. So, unarmored all-terrain vehicles and armored personnel carriers, as well as command and staff, medical and repair and recovery vehicles have been ordered. The number of equipment of each version has not yet been specified.
In mid-December, the budget committee of the German Bundestag gave permission for the purchase of equipment. For 140 products BvS 10 will pay 405 million euros. Their deliveries are expected during the second half of the decade. The contract was accompanied by an option for 200 transporters with delivery no later than the turn of the twenties and thirties.
It is curious that the Bundeswehr has already decided to take advantage of the opportunity. At the beginning of 2023, he made a request for an increase in the volume of purchases. The Budget Committee of the Parliament considered it and approved it in early April. The army wished to purchase another 227 BvS 10 transporters - a total of 367 units. The total cost of purchases will reach 919 million euros. Deliveries of equipment from an additional batch will begin at the end of 2025 and will last until 2030 inclusive.
Serial conveyor BvS 10
The other two participants in the CATV program are not going to increase orders yet. don't need more technology. For example, Sweden already has approx. 150 BvS 10 vehicles, and in 2022-24. almost 170 more will be delivered. The CATV program will add 236 units to them, which will completely cover all needs. The British Army has approx. 100 similar cars and get 60 more.
It is assumed that other countries may join the procurement under the international program, but this has not yet happened. Successful fulfillment of existing ones can become an incentive for the emergence of new orders. However, it cannot be ruled out that CATV will continue to have three members.
Order subject
As part of the CATV program, three countries plan to purchase Bandvagn Skyddad 10 (BvS 10) articulated tracked transporters. This machine was developed at the beginning of the XNUMXs by Hägglunds AB by order of the British Ministry of Defense. In the future, it was produced in a fairly large series for various orders for a number of buyers.
The BvS 10 is actually a further development of the Swedish articulated tracked transporter range, combining well-established solutions with new ideas. Due to this, it was possible to obtain an optimal balance of characteristics and the possibility of restructuring and adapting the design to various tasks. The machine was also upgraded. So, the CATV program provides for the purchase of vehicles in the BvS 10 Mk IIB or BvS 410 version.
BvS 10 is a machine with two bodies connected by a special hinged mechanism. The front hull houses the power plant, the driver's cab and part of the passenger seats. The rear link accommodates the main cabin, and also has caterpillar drive drives. The total length of the all-terrain vehicle is 8 m with a width of 2,34 m and a height of not more than 2,45 m. The curb weight, depending on the modification and version, can exceed 8-8,5 tons.
Various modifications of the BvS 10 use diesel engines of several models with a capacity of 285 hp. An automatic transmission is connected to the engine. The transmission provides power to the tracks of the front and rear hulls. On the highway, such a car accelerates to 70 km / h. The design of the undercarriage and the presence of two hulls with a controlled articulation unit provide high cross-country ability on different soils and surfaces.
The hulls are sealed, and the all-terrain vehicle can float. The movement is carried out by rewinding the tracks; speeds up to 5 km/h are achieved.
At the request of the customer, the military versions of the BvS 10 and BvS 410 can be equipped with habitable compartment armor. The basic protection option corresponds to the 2nd level of the STANAG 4569 standard. Reinforced modules provide protection of the 4th class.
Unprotected and armored BvS 10 transporters are equipped with an open turret for a normal or large caliber machine gun or an automatic grenade launcher. Smoke grenade launchers are provided. Internal compartments can accommodate 12 people. - 4 in the front cabin and 8 in the back.
Specialized facilities can be placed in the rear link. Thanks to this, the conveyor turns into a command post, repair and recovery or ambulance vehicle. These modifications are also proposed to be equipped with armor and weapons for self-defense.
BvS 10 transporters in different versions are in service with six countries. The main buyer was the army of Sweden, which already has a large park and is going to increase it. About a hundred cars were bought by Great Britain. In the Netherlands, until recently, there were more than 70 such machines, but 28 units. recently transferred to Ukraine. OK. 50 BvS 10 bought by France, and approx. 30 went to Austria.
In 2022, the United States placed an order for the purchase of an unarmored transport version of the BvS 10. Delivery of the first batch of equipment is expected in the near future. In addition, BAE Systems with the BvS 10 product is participating in the Canadian Army tender, the result of which has not yet been determined.
Multilateral cooperation
Thus, the international joint procurement program for articulated CATV transporters has reached the stage of signing real contracts. In the near future, the contractor company will have to start production, and then customers will receive the first batches of serial BvS 10. Production in the interests of the three countries will continue at least until the end of the decade. In the future, it can be extended if additional orders appear, incl. from new member countries.
The proposed and implemented approach with the joint purchase of equipment through one of the participants is considered to provide certain advantages. So, BAE Systems immediately receives an order for several hundred machines, which simplifies the organization and planning of work in the future. Sweden acts as the actual customer, and finished equipment will be distributed through it. This is easier than signing several contracts from each country. In addition, a joint large order allows you to reduce the cost of each all-terrain vehicle.
In general, customers and the manufacturer have reason to be optimistic and can get the desired results and benefits. How justified such optimism, time will tell. The first batches of equipment under the CATV program are expected in the coming years, and then it will be possible to draw the first conclusions.
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