Striking a balance

Tuesday, 8 September, 2009

With international attention focused on Afghanistan, this year’s DSEi sees the unveiling of a number of new wheeled protected patrol vehicles (PPVs) that offer increased levels of protection. The difficulty for PPV designers is striking the balance between high levels of protection while maintaining good levels of mobility.

Many of the PPVs and other specialised vehicles ordered by the UK MoD late last year are now rolling off the production lines, with some already deployed to Afghanistan.

While the MoD has come under criticism over the time taken to deploy new PPVs, the fact is that these vehicles are built to order, take time to build and are customised to meet UK requirements.
Most are procured from overseas contractors and then fitted with key subsystems, such as the General Dynamics UK Bowman communications system, weapons and counter improvised explosive devices before being deployed to theatre.

Crews have to be trained to operate and maintain the new equipment, as well as ensuring the integrated logistics support is in place. This must be robust enough to take into account the harsh operating conditions of Afghanistan, where spare parts can be rapidly consumed.

As well as a number of new AFVs making their debut at DSEi this year, there is considerable emphasis on the key subsystems, without which no vehicle can successfully operate.

They include new armour protection systems, advanced crew seating systems, protected weapon mounts and remote control weapon stations, environmental control systems, day/night situational awareness devices, land navigation systems and upgraded power systems.

The UK has spent significant amounts of money under Urgent Operational Requirement funding for Iraq, and more recently Afghanistan, but it must also find funding to replace and upgrade some of its existing AFVs, many of which are rapidly becoming obsolete.

The two high-priority vehicle programmes are the Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme and the Future Rapid Effect System – Scout, with winning contenders expected to be announced in the first quarter of 2010. The winner of these important competitions will shape the future of the remainder of the UK’s vehicle capability. If these programmes are delayed, a key part of the UK’s remaining manoeuvre warfare capability will be lost.