The first batch of the Army’s ‘go anywhere’ armoured support vehicles has been rolled out to front line troops in Afghanistan.
The seven tonne, £600k, ‘Husky’ uses the latest technology and smart design to protect troops from roadside bombs, rockets and small arms fire. It is equipped with a a machine gun.
Bought from US firm Navistar Defence, as part of a £120m contract; the first 123 vehicles have been fitted with specialist technology and pushed out to front line units for immediate use.
The Husky is designed to undertake a range of tasks including acting as a command vehicle, using its one tonne payload to transport essential supplies, and a variant will be used as a highly protected ambulance. It will replace the Pinzergauer and Vector vehicles which are being phased out.
WO1 Colin Goodrich, who is responsible for introducing all new vehicles into Afghanistan said: “This is going to make a huge impact on the guys on the ground. When the Pinzergauer and Vector vehicles were first introduced, they were the right vehicles for the job, but the threat against them changed over time. The Husky vehicle now provides us with armoured protection against RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenades), IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) and small arms fire. It offers the level of protection necessary to meet the threat against it.
“The first 123 vehicles have been issued to units and the initial feedback has been extremely positive. It is an awesome bit of kit, which is extremely easy to drive. Crews now have a level of comfort and protection which just wasn’t achievable in the vehicles it replaces”.
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Well they certainly look the part and as far as I am concerned, any amount of money spent on helping to protect our troops is money well spent. Thinking and praying for you all. x
ReplyDeleteThat is a great invention against IEDs which have caused too much casualties, these vehicles would be very handy until the enemies find new ways to disturb.
ReplyDeleteMy son is off to the forces vehicle training ground next week to learn how to drive this beauty...I just hope it stand up to the devious rebels
ReplyDeleteseven ton i just done the course try twice the weight it was always breaking down in sailsbury so god help them in afghan
ReplyDelete£600K. Wow. That is an expensive peice of kit. Can you tell me what type of licence you need to drive this vehicle?. Is is classed as a HGV and if so do you need C1 or C? I too hope it does what it says and protects our brave boys and girls
ReplyDelete14 tonne, not 7
ReplyDeleteWhat a cracking piece of kit that is. What qualifications do you need to drive that? The amount it costs is fully justified if it helps save lives and helps prevent death for our brave soldiers overseas.
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