More Upgrades for U.K. Vikings in Afghanistan
LONDON - The British military's Viking all-terrain vehicle fleet is to receive additional armor and other upgrades in an effort to better protect troops in Afghanistan from mines and roadside bombs.
Announcement of an urgent operational requirement (UOR) deal to equip the entire BAE Systems Viking fleet in Afghanistan with additional under-belly armor plates and improvements to crew seating is thought to be imminent, said an official with knowledge of the program.
A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman said the MoD was "in negotiations with BAE for the provision of a mine blast protection UOR for Viking. Trials have been completed, delivery will start in the New Year, and it is expected that delivery will be completed by mid 2009."
The upgrade contract comes as European media report that an Mk II version of the BvS10 Viking, developed and built in Sweden by BAE's Hägglunds subsidiary, may have lost out to rival Singapore Technologies Kinetics' Bronco in a battle to supply the British with a larger all-terrain vehicle with heavier protection.
A small number of the existing Viking amphibious combat vehicles are already being upgraded in the United Kingdom. The official said the first of the upgraded Vikings should be delivered to the British military by the end of the year.
Nearly 100 more vehicles deployed with the British Army and the Royal Marines in Afghanistan will be upgraded in theater.
A BAE spokesman confirmed the company has been in negotiations to conclude the UOR. "We have been in close dialogue with the MoD, and we expect to announce a contract soon," he said.
The Viking has already had numerous UOR upgrades, including bar armor and other protective measures. The threat from Taliban mines and roadside bombs, though, continues to evolve, resulting in the deaths of several drivers and others.
The MoD has ordered 22 Vikings this year, bringing the total number of BvS10s purchased by the British to almost 150. A number of those have been destroyed. The British also operate some of the earlier Bv206s.
The modification will further impact Viking operations. The vehicle has been working beyond its maximum designed gross weight for months now, partly as a result of previous additions to its armor protection and other equipment.
The MoD recently contracted BAE Systems to undertake a reliability demonstration on a Viking in the United Kingdom. Working at a high gross weight, the vehicle is testing performance and reliability against various parameters.
Data released by BAE in mid-November said the existing Viking's reliability under combat conditions stood at 88 percent.
The Mk II carries 12 crew and passengers, has a payload of 6 metric tons and a gross vehicle weight of 14.2 metric tons. The Bronco can fit in 16 crew and passengers, has a gross weight of 18 metric tons and a payload of 6.8 metric tons.
The Bronco vehicle is currently in service with Singapore's military, while the Viking Mk II is in development.
Release of the performance comparison between the Viking Mk II and the Bronco vehicle was part of a rearguard action by BAE to salvage a deal for around 100 vehicles, which was heading Singapore's way.
The vehicles will replace Vikings currently in service in Afghanistan.
The Singaporeans are tied up here with Thales UK, who would be the Bronco vehicle integrator if the deal with the British is confirmed.
French defense newsletter TTU and others have been reporting in the last few days that the Bronco had been selected for the British requirement to provide a vehicle to be known as the Warthog.
The MoD spokeswoman said, "Discussions are still ongoing as to the vehicle type to fulfill the Warthog requirement for operations in Afghanistan. We hope to make an announcement shortly."
Singapore Technologies declined to comment.
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