Bushmaster for Brits

Getting tough

The British Army has suffered casualties resulting from a lack of armoured vehicles.

08 May 2008 from ADM

Sources at Thales have confirmed the long-awaited British Army order for Bushmaster Infantry Mobility vehicles.

However, neither Thales nor the UK Ministry of Defence has disclosed how many vehicles the Army has ordered, nor where they are being used, though ADM understands the initial batch is being evaluated in Afghanistan.

The British Army has suffered heavy casualties as a result of its lack of armoured and mine-protected logistics and troop transport vehicles and has ordered several US MRAP (Mine Resistant, Ambush Protected) vehicles for units in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

But ADM understands many MRAP vehicles lack the off-road mobility and robustness required for the roles in which they are used by British troops.

Many have suffered axle failures and other breakdowns as a result of heavy off-road use.

In April, however, the US government?s Defence Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a further possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Kingdom of 157 Cougar 4x4 MRAP vehicles as well as associated equipment and services worth up to $125 million.

The Agency says Britain has requested these vehicles to provide for the safety of its deployed troops in support of Global War on Terror (GWOT) operations.

?This program will ensure the United Kingdom can effectively operate in hazardous areas in a safe, survivable vehicle, and enhance the United Kingdom?s interoperability with US forces? in Iraq and Afghanistan? where US assets currently provide this proposed capability.

"By acquiring this capability, the United Kingdom will be able to provide the same level of protection for its own forces as that provided the United States forces.?