Бронемашины с усиленной противоминной защитой

MRAPS AND IMVS: CURE-ALL OR TACTICAL TOOL FOR MODERN CONFLICTS? Modern conflicts rarely include open confrontations of regular armies. Rather, they look like a series of counter-partisan operations of varying intensity, and operations to seize and keep control of key infrastructure and facilities for their further exploitation. In these conditions, means and measures designed to protect contingents from the constant threat of mines and insurgents becomes more and more important. Intense usage of vehicles close to what are currently described as infantry mobility vehicles (IMVs) and mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles dates back to the legendary Toyota War of 1986-1987 and the Rhodesian Bush War from 1964-1979. Since then, the role of IMVs and MRAPs of various kinds as well as similar systems have become key on the battlefield. This set conditions for further development of such systems, growth of the market, the number of producers and their geography. One of the key reasons behind the increasing number of IMVs and MRAP variants and their producers is the relatively low complexity of their production amid high demand on the market. Over the past years, IMVs and MRAPs have often been used to address similar challenges on the battle field. This blurred the lines between these two types of armed vehicles even further. The main tasks of IMVs and MRAPs are reconnaissance, transportation of troops and fire support in the event of confrontation. Their main difference, in the current conditions, lies in the field of the employed system platform, protection level and type of installed weapons, which can vary from ordinary fire arms to light guns, non-guided rockets, guided rockets, mortar systems and even anti-aircraft missiles. Various IMVs and MRAPs are currently in service within most militaries around the world and are being actively used in local conflicts. The use of such equipment was heavily documented in the current conflicts of Syria, Iraq and Yemen, both because of their sufficient intensity and due to the wide distribution of video and photo equipment facilitating the propaganda efforts of the parties. The Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) use domestically produced Cobra IMVs and Kirpi MRAPs in northern Syria. The infantry mobility vehicle Cobra is produced by Otokar which uses some mechanical components and sub-systems of the HMMWV vehicle from AM General of the US. The Cobra’s monocoque steel v-hull provides protection against small arms fire, artillery shell shrapnel and, to a certain degree, against anti-personnel mines, tank mines, and IEDs. Front wheel arches are designed to be blown away to free blast pockets. The Cobra vehicle forms a common platform, which can be adapted for various roles and mission requirements including the following: armoured personnel carrier, anti-tank, reconnaissance, ground surveillance radar, forward observation, armoured ambulance and armoured command post. It can be equipped with a turret for a 12.7mm machine gun, 20mm cannon, anti-tank missiles such as the TOW missile and Spike missiles or surface-to-air missiles. ISIS terrorists seized and destroyed several Cobra vehicles along with other TAF equipment in northern Syria during Turkey’s Operation Euphrates Shield in 2016-2017. Cobra II specifications: Mass: 12,000kg Length: 6m Width: 2.5m Height: 2.2m Crew: 2+7 Maximum speed: 115km/h Operational range: 700km The Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle Kirpi is designed and manufactured by BMC for the needs of the Turkish Ground Forces. It features an armoured hull which provides protection against armor-piercing rounds and artillery shell splinters. The V-shape bottom portion provides protection against grenades and land mines. The Kirpi features shock absorber seats and interior accessories, a GPS system, rear view camera, and an automatic fire suppression system. The vehicle has five firing ports and four bulletproof windows on each side of the troop compartment as well as a shielded position for the gunner on the rooftop. Depending on the modification, the Kirpi can be armed with a 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine gun or remotely-controlled weapons stations. Passengers enter and leave the troop compartment through a hydraulically operated ramp at the rear of the hull. The Turkish Army employs these vehicles for operations in the Syrian provinces of Aleppo and Idlib. Kirpi specifications: Mass: around 16,000kg Length: 6.0-7.075m (depending on the version) Width: 2.51m Height: 86m Crew: 3 + 10-12 Maximum speed: 100km/h Operational range: 800km US forces in Syria and Iraq and the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen use a wide range of American equipment: HMMWV, Сougar, M-ATV, Caiman and MaxxPro. https://southfront.org/mraps-and-imvs-in-modern-conflicts/