Traditionally Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), tracked and wheeled alike, have been used to transport infantry as near to their objective as possible where they dismount and fight on foot. APCs are still used by many countries, but they are now being supplemented by Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs)
Usually an APC is armed with a 7.62mm or 12.7mm Machine Gun (MG) which was initially in an unprotected mount but later provided with protection, such as a cupola or turret. Ballistic protection was normally against small arms fire and shell splinters. APCs can be tracked or wheeled with the latter being normally in the 8×8 configuration which have greater volume and mobility than older 6×6 vehicles.
The latest IFVs have a higher level of ballistic protection as well as increased protection against mines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED). They are also better armed and are usually fitted with a one or two person turrets armed with a stabilised medium-calibre cannon and a 7.62mm co-axial MG. In most cases this turret is fitted with a computerised Fire Control System (FCS) with the commander and gunner having stabilised day/thermal sighting systems equipped with an integrated laser rangefinder.
Chinese Efforts
Usually an APC is armed with a 7.62mm or 12.7mm Machine Gun (MG) which was initially in an unprotected mount but later provided with protection, such as a cupola or turret. Ballistic protection was normally against small arms fire and shell splinters. APCs can be tracked or wheeled with the latter being normally in the 8×8 configuration which have greater volume and mobility than older 6×6 vehicles.
The latest IFVs have a higher level of ballistic protection as well as increased protection against mines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED). They are also better armed and are usually fitted with a one or two person turrets armed with a stabilised medium-calibre cannon and a 7.62mm co-axial MG. In most cases this turret is fitted with a computerised Fire Control System (FCS) with the commander and gunner having stabilised day/thermal sighting systems equipped with an integrated laser rangefinder.
Chinese Efforts
| ZBD 04 |
The first IFV to be deployed by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) was the WZ501 which is essentially a reversed-engineered Russian BMP-1 IFV fitted with a one-person turret armed with a 73mm gun and 7.62mm co-axial MG along with a Red Arrow 73 (HJ-73) Anti-Tank Guided Weapon (ATGW) mounted over the former weapon.
The latest IFV to enter service with the PLA is the ZBD-04 which is being offered on the export market by China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) under the designation of the VN11. This has a new Chinese-designed hull fitted with a locally manufactured and modified turret from Russia which is armed with a 100mm gun, a 30mm cannon and a 7.62mm co-axial MG. In addition to firing conventional ammunition, the 100mm gun can fire a laser-guided missile. The turret is a further development of that installed on the widely-deployed Russian BMP-3 IFV. The ZBD-04 has a crew of three consisting of a commander, gunner and driver, and carries seven dismounts. It is fully-amphibious being propelled in the water at a maximum speed of 13 km/h by two water jets mounted one on either side at the rear of the hull. The PLA has always deployed a mix of tracked and wheeled IFV as the latter do offer a number of significant advantages including lower operating and support costs, and have greater strategic mobility.
Marder 1A3 IFV
The latest IFV to enter service with the PLA is the ZBD-04 which is being offered on the export market by China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) under the designation of the VN11. This has a new Chinese-designed hull fitted with a locally manufactured and modified turret from Russia which is armed with a 100mm gun, a 30mm cannon and a 7.62mm co-axial MG. In addition to firing conventional ammunition, the 100mm gun can fire a laser-guided missile. The turret is a further development of that installed on the widely-deployed Russian BMP-3 IFV. The ZBD-04 has a crew of three consisting of a commander, gunner and driver, and carries seven dismounts. It is fully-amphibious being propelled in the water at a maximum speed of 13 km/h by two water jets mounted one on either side at the rear of the hull. The PLA has always deployed a mix of tracked and wheeled IFV as the latter do offer a number of significant advantages including lower operating and support costs, and have greater strategic mobility.
Marder 1A3 IFV
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| Marder 1A3 IFV |
Under a recently-signed deal with Germany, Indonesia is to field a batch of ex-German Army Marder 1A3 IFVs fitted with a two-person turret armed with a 20mm cannon and a 7.62 mm co-axial MG. Indonesia already deploys a batch of 22 BMP-2 IFVs which were delivered in 1998/2000 from Slovakia. These retain their two-person turrets armed with a 30mm cannon, 7.62mm co-axial MG and roof-mounted ATGW.
More recently the Indonesian Marines have taken delivery of 20 Russian BMP-3F IFVs optimised for amphibious operations with another batch of vehicles now being delivered. The BMP-3F is the most well-armed vehicle in its class and is fitted with a two-person turret equipped with a 100mm 2A70 gun that, in addition to firing conventional ammunition, can launch a laser-guided projectile. Mounted next to the 100mm 2A70 gun is a 30mm 2A72 cannon and 7.62 mm PKT MG, with further two 7.62mm PKT MGs mounted one on either side at the front of the hull.
The Indonesian Marines also deploy a batch of 34 Nexter Systems AMX-10P vehicles of which ten are fitted with the two-person TS90 turret armed with a 90mm gun and 7.62mm co-axial MG. The remaining 24 have a one-person turret armed with a .50 M2 HB MG. These were optimised for amphibious operations and are fitted with water jets which give a maximum speed when afloat of up to 10 km/h.
AV8 IFV
More recently the Indonesian Marines have taken delivery of 20 Russian BMP-3F IFVs optimised for amphibious operations with another batch of vehicles now being delivered. The BMP-3F is the most well-armed vehicle in its class and is fitted with a two-person turret equipped with a 100mm 2A70 gun that, in addition to firing conventional ammunition, can launch a laser-guided projectile. Mounted next to the 100mm 2A70 gun is a 30mm 2A72 cannon and 7.62 mm PKT MG, with further two 7.62mm PKT MGs mounted one on either side at the front of the hull.
The Indonesian Marines also deploy a batch of 34 Nexter Systems AMX-10P vehicles of which ten are fitted with the two-person TS90 turret armed with a 90mm gun and 7.62mm co-axial MG. The remaining 24 have a one-person turret armed with a .50 M2 HB MG. These were optimised for amphibious operations and are fitted with water jets which give a maximum speed when afloat of up to 10 km/h.
AV8 IFV
| AV8 |
To start replacing its fleet of old SIBMAS (6×6) and Condor (4×4) vehicles Malaysia selected the Turkish FNSS Savunma Sistemleri Pars (8×8). A contract has been placed for a total of 257 units through the Malaysian company DEFTECH. In Malaysian service the Pars will be called the AV8 and, in addition to having all-wheel drive it features all-wheel steering, cameras for situational awareness and an air conditioning system.
A total of twelve variants will be supplied by 2018 with the most well-armed models being fitted with a Denel Land Systems two-person turret outfitted with a 30mm cannon and 7.62mm coaxial MG. The IFV version is fitted with a one-person FNSS Sharpshooter turret housing a 25mm cannon and 7.62mm co-axial MG. The Royal Malaysian Army also operates a fleet of FNSS Savunma Sistemleri tracked Armoured Combat Vehicles (ACVs) with the first batch consisting of 211 vehicles in ten versions which were delivered from 2002. This was followed by an additional batch of 48 vehicles ordered in 2008 which have now been delivered. Furthermore, Malaysia has taken delivery of eight stretched ACV vehicles armed with a French TDA 120mm muzzle-loaded recoiling mortar system.
K21 IFV
A total of twelve variants will be supplied by 2018 with the most well-armed models being fitted with a Denel Land Systems two-person turret outfitted with a 30mm cannon and 7.62mm coaxial MG. The IFV version is fitted with a one-person FNSS Sharpshooter turret housing a 25mm cannon and 7.62mm co-axial MG. The Royal Malaysian Army also operates a fleet of FNSS Savunma Sistemleri tracked Armoured Combat Vehicles (ACVs) with the first batch consisting of 211 vehicles in ten versions which were delivered from 2002. This was followed by an additional batch of 48 vehicles ordered in 2008 which have now been delivered. Furthermore, Malaysia has taken delivery of eight stretched ACV vehicles armed with a French TDA 120mm muzzle-loaded recoiling mortar system.
K21 IFV
| K21 |
The Republic of Korea (ROK) has been self-sufficient in the design, development and production of AFVs for many years. It is estimated that Doosan Infracore Defense Products built almost 2,000 Korean Infantry Fighting Vehicles (KIFVs) and variants for the ROK Army with 111 being supplied to Malaysia to meet an Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR). The baseline KIFV has a hull similar to that of the BAE Systems Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle (AIFV) developed for the export market. It is armed with a protected weapon station equipped with a .50 M2 HB MG with an unprotected 7.62mm MG on a pintle mounted to the immediate left side. In addition to the crew of three the vehicle carries nine dismounts. More specialised versions include Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) reconnaissance, air defence (with a turret-mounted 20mm cannon), ambulance, command post, mortar carrier and recovery vehicles.
By today’s standard the KIFV lacks armour, mobility and firepower and this has led to the development and fielding of the latest Doosan Next Infantry Fighting Vehicle (NIFV) which is now referred to as the K21. When compared to the older KIFV the K21 represents a step change in capability in the key areas of armour, mobility and firepower with the first production contract being for over 450 vehicles. The K21 has a typical Gross Vehicle Weight of around 26 tonnes and has a crew of three consisting of commander, gunner and driver, plus nine dismounts. The vehicle is fitted with a two-person turret carrying a 40mm cannon and a 7.62mm MG, with a pod of two ATGW being installed on the left side of the turret. A computerised FCS is fitted which allows stationary and moving targets to be engaged with a high first-round-hit probability under almost all conditions. With the aid of integrated inflatable pontoons the K21 is fully amphibious and is propelled in the water up to a maximum speed of 6 km/h. It is also fitted with an NBC system and full air conditioning for use in high ambient conditions. Using the KIFV hull an expanding family of variants has been developed including an ARV and driver training vehicle. For the export market it can be fitted with different weapon systems.
Singapore
By today’s standard the KIFV lacks armour, mobility and firepower and this has led to the development and fielding of the latest Doosan Next Infantry Fighting Vehicle (NIFV) which is now referred to as the K21. When compared to the older KIFV the K21 represents a step change in capability in the key areas of armour, mobility and firepower with the first production contract being for over 450 vehicles. The K21 has a typical Gross Vehicle Weight of around 26 tonnes and has a crew of three consisting of commander, gunner and driver, plus nine dismounts. The vehicle is fitted with a two-person turret carrying a 40mm cannon and a 7.62mm MG, with a pod of two ATGW being installed on the left side of the turret. A computerised FCS is fitted which allows stationary and moving targets to be engaged with a high first-round-hit probability under almost all conditions. With the aid of integrated inflatable pontoons the K21 is fully amphibious and is propelled in the water up to a maximum speed of 6 km/h. It is also fitted with an NBC system and full air conditioning for use in high ambient conditions. Using the KIFV hull an expanding family of variants has been developed including an ARV and driver training vehicle. For the export market it can be fitted with different weapon systems.
Singapore
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| Bionic IFV |
For many years the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) deployed the BAE Systems M113 series tracked APC as well as many more specialised versions such as a command post vehicle and mortar carrier. These have been enhanced in a number of areas including an upgraded power pack, additional armour and, in some cases, enhanced firepower. Some have also been fitted with the RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems Remote Weapons Stations (RWS) armed with an ATK 25mm M252 dual-feed cannon, and 7.62mm co-axial MG. Meanwhile others have been fitted with the locally-developed cupola armed with a .50 MG and a 40mm AGL.
These upgraded M113 series vehicles have been supplemented by the locally-developed Singapore Technologies Kinetics (STG) Bionix family of vehicles (FOV). The Bionix 25 IFV is fitted with a two-person turret possessing a stabilised 25mm M242 dual feed cannon and a 7.62mm co-axial MG with an addition 7.62mm MG mounted one on either side of the roof at the rear. In addition to the crew of three consisting of commander, gunner and driver the Bionix UFV carries seven dismounts. The Bionix 25 was followed by the Bionix 30 which is similar but armed with the more potent ATK 30mm MK44 dual feed cannon and 7.62mm axial MG. There is also the Bionix APC which has the same locally developed cupola as fitted to the upgraded M113, but with more internal volume it can carry nine dismounts. More specialised versions of the Bionix including an ARV, armoured vehicle launched bridge and flail-type mine.
clearing vehicle.
These upgraded M113 series vehicles have been supplemented by the locally-developed Singapore Technologies Kinetics (STG) Bionix family of vehicles (FOV). The Bionix 25 IFV is fitted with a two-person turret possessing a stabilised 25mm M242 dual feed cannon and a 7.62mm co-axial MG with an addition 7.62mm MG mounted one on either side of the roof at the rear. In addition to the crew of three consisting of commander, gunner and driver the Bionix UFV carries seven dismounts. The Bionix 25 was followed by the Bionix 30 which is similar but armed with the more potent ATK 30mm MK44 dual feed cannon and 7.62mm axial MG. There is also the Bionix APC which has the same locally developed cupola as fitted to the upgraded M113, but with more internal volume it can carry nine dismounts. More specialised versions of the Bionix including an ARV, armoured vehicle launched bridge and flail-type mine.
clearing vehicle.
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| Terrex |
Like other countries, Singapore is moving to more balanced fleet of tracked and wheeled AFVs and STK developed the Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV) to meet the operational requirements of the SAF with first vehicles deployed in 2010. The first production contract was for a total of 135 vehicles which is sufficient for three battalions but there have been follow on contracts for additional vehicles. The baseline Terrex ICV has a crew of two and carries eleven dismounts. It is fitted with an RWS armed with a 40mm AGL and a 7.62mm co-axial MG, a .50 MG, or a combination of these weapons. The hull is of all welded steel with applique amour and, unlike many of the recently-developed 8×8 vehicles, the Terrex ICV is fully amphibious via two propellers installed one on either side under the hull rear. The Terrex ICV also features applique armour, cameras for enhanced situational awareness through a full 360 degrees and a battle management system. In addition to the baseline Terex ICV there are a number of more specialised versions and these are known to include ATGW, command, engineer, reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition and specialised strike observer mission variants.
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