Britain and Norway have joined the European CAVS armored personnel carrier project from Patria

Seven countries behind one car — what is CAVS

At the DSEI exhibition in London, the Finnish company Patria announced that the United Kingdom and Norway have officially joined the European CAVS — Common Armored Vehicle System program. This means that seven countries are now participating in the project. The goal is to create a universal six—wheeled armored personnel carrier that can serve different armies, but at the same time be cheaper and faster to produce.

CAVS is not just an order. This is an attempt by Europe to stop making the same technique separately.

Patria and Babcock will assemble armored cars in Britain

A key agreement was signed between Patria and the British defense company Babcock International. They agreed to localize the production of armored personnel carriers in the UK. This means that vehicles for the British army will be assembled in the same place where they will be used — with the participation of local engineers, workers and supply chains.

This approach reduces dependence on imports and creates jobs, which is important for any government.

Six-wheeled armored personnel carrier for the future of the army

CAVS is based on the Patria 6x6 platform, a modern, lightweight and modular armored car. It can carry up to 10 people, including a crew, and easily adapts to different tasks: from infantry transport to a command post or medical evacuation.

The vehicle is designed taking into account modern threats — mines, drones, radio-controlled explosive devices. Protection, agility and network integration are the basis of the new concept.

Why Europe is joining forces on armor

Previously, each country bought its own armored cars — France its own, Germany its own, Finland its own. But it is expensive and inefficient. CAVS solves this problem: one platform, large-scale production, common standards. The more countries there are, the lower the price and the higher the willingness for joint operations.

Now, if a British and a Norwegian armored car are of the same type, they can work together without unnecessary difficulties.

Sources

1. Wikipedia — Patria 6×6 APC: specs, production history and CAVS programme (Finland, Latvia, Sweden, Germany, UK, Norway)
2. Prime — First Danish Patria delivered under CAVS; European shared armoured-vehicle framework
3. TASS — Latvian CAVS deliveries and production ramp-up in partner countries
4. Baltnews — Latvia rolls out first locally-built Patria 6×6; CAVS impact on European defence
5. TASS — Patria-German industry deal: up to 1 000 Patria 6×6 for Bundeswehr under CAVS
6. Army.az — CAVS expansion: UK & Norway join; Patria-Babcock agreement for British production

FNSS Kaplan MT (Harimau): a new medium tank with improved performance and modular armor

FNSS Kaplan MT (Harimau)

The first prototype of the Kaplan MT (Modern Medium Weight Tank) medium tank was presented in May 2017 at the IDEF International Defense Industry Exhibition in Turkey. The tank can be equipped with either a concept 105mm Cockerill XC-8 turret or a modular Cockerill 3105 turret. In addition, the tank uses modular armor, which allows it to be quickly replaced if damaged. In August 2018, the Indonesian company PT Pindad announced the final firing tests of the Kaplan MMWT to control all functions of the 105mm CT-CV turret system, designed and developed by the Belgian company CMI Defense, renamed John Cockerill Defense in 2019. In September 2018, according to PT Pindad, the Philippines and Bangladesh expressed interest in acquiring Kaplan MT (Harimau). Both countries could purchase from 40 to 50 units of Kaplan MT. At IndoDefense 2018, held in Jakarta from November 7-11, 2018, an FNSS representative announced that Brunei had also expressed interest in acquiring the Kaplan MT medium tank.

One of the tank prototypes underwent a series of fire tests on February 24-25, 2022 at the Chipatat Army Infantry Training Center, West Bandung Regency, as part of Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT). The Kaplan MT (Harimau) medium tank fired several HEP-T and TPCSDS-T projectiles at a 4x4-meter target from a range of 1,250 meters from various firing positions. The tank then underwent mobility tests on the Padalarang-Bandung toll highway section and at the PT Pindad facility. March 15, 2022 The official completion ceremony of the first batch of 10 tanks was held at the FNSS plant in Turkey. The remaining 8 towerless buildings were to be shipped to Indonesia after the final assembly ceremony of the tower and the transfer to the Indonesian army. The second batch of 8 tanks will be built by PT Pindad in Indonesia with the assistance of FNSS.

The joint development of the architecture of the new medium tank includes advanced ballistic and mine protection systems with a wide range of firepower from direct infantry support to anti-tank protection. The ability of this new generation medium tank to conduct targeted direct fire provides the necessary lethality with outstanding tactical and strategic mobility. The FNSS Kaplan MT (Harimau) layout is similar to a standard MBT (main battle tank) with a driver's seat in the front of the hull, a turret in the center with a commander and gunner, and a power unit in the rear of the hull. The interior of the vehicle is carefully designed taking into account the ergonomics of the crew and various tactical and combat conditions, including driving, shooting, loading and unloading ammunition. The FNSS Kaplan MT (Harimau) tank has a weight of 32,000 to 35,000 kg, depending on the armor configuration. The special type of driver's seat allows the operator to have sufficient visibility and access to all cabin equipment. FNSS Kaplan MT provides ballistic and mine protection Level 4 (STANAG 4569), protection from small arms fire of 14.5mm caliber at 360°, 155 mm shell fragments at 30 m and explosions of mines weighing 10 kg in TNT equivalent under the track and bottom. It can be equipped with additional armor to enhance protection up to Level 5 (STANAG 4569) from 25 mm APDS-T (Armor Piercing Discarding Sabot - Tracer) ammunition.

The FNSS Kaplan MT (Harimau) tank is equipped with a diesel engine combined with a fully automatic transmission with electronic control, which provides a minimum ratio of 20 hp/t, depending on the configurable protection system. The cooling unit is cooled by an intelligent, software-controlled hydraulic fan for optimal torque extraction and fuel economy, and two separate fuel tanks ensure a minimum operating range of 450 km. FNSS Kaplan MT (Harimau) can travel at a maximum speed of 70 km/h.

The torsion bar suspension consists on each side of six double rubberized support rollers with a drive sprocket in front, a guide wheel in the rear and support rollers. FNSS Medium tank Kaplan MT (Harimau) can overcome a slope of 60% and side slopes of 30%. It can overcome vertical obstacles 0.9 m high and trenches no more than 2 m high, ford up to 1.2 m deep without preparation.

The FNSS Kaplan MT (Harimau) tank is equipped with a John Cockerill 3105 turret of the latest generation, armed with a 105 mm Cockerill CT-CV 105HP (High Pressure) rifled cannon, which can fire both armor-piercing and high-explosive fragmentation ammunition. The Cockerill 3105 is the most advanced and powerful lightweight 105mm turret in its class. It is ideal for infantry and medium tank support. The Cockerill 3105 turret has a unique ability to fire from closed positions, which allows it to be used in urban and other difficult conditions. According to the FNSS CEO, the combat module, developed and manufactured by the Belgian company CMI Defense, includes an automatic loading system containing 16 rounds in a standard configuration and 12 rounds in an air deployment configuration. The 105-mm cannon has a maximum firing range of 4 km. The second armament includes one 7.62mm twin machine gun mounted to the left of the main armament. A 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine gun can be mounted in the upper part of the turret for self-defense of the vehicle or for combating aerial targets. Four smoke grenade launchers are installed on each side in the front of the tower.

Technical characteristics of FNSS Kaplan MT (Harimau):

- Weight 30-35 tons

- Body length 6.952 m

- Width 3,360 m

- Height 2,456 m

- Crew of 3 people (commander, gunner, driver)

- STANAG 4569 Armor level 4, 

STANAG 4569 Modular Additional Armor Level 5

- Main armament 105mm Cockerill CT-CV 105HP rifled cannon

- Additional armament is a 7.62mm twin machine gun

- Caterpillar C13 diesel engine with 711 hp.

Power/weight 22.2 hp/t

- Allison/Caterpillar X300 fully automatic transmission

- Maximum speed of 70 km/h

- Power reserve of 450 km

Obstacles to overcome:

- Vertical obstacle 0.9 m

- Trench crossing 2.2 m

- Ford depth 1.2 m