MRAPs for Austria

Iveco LMV(click to view full) Austria has been a neutral power since World War 2, but contingents from its small armed forces are sometimes made available for international deployment. The growing realization that blast resistant vehicles are an essential piece of equipment in any combat zone appears to have finally reached Austria’s priority list, spawning a EUR 104 million (about $138 million) contract for 150 “protected multipurpose vehicles.” In January 2009, Austria made its vehicle choice. Now, it has made its weapon choice… Austria’s choice is Iveco’s Light Multirole Vehicle, also called MLV and known as “Panther” in British service or “Lince” (Lynx) in Spain. These vehicles are similar to American Hummers in size and number of occupants, but their higher cost reflects an array of fundamental design differences that are designed to protect their occupants from mine blasts and small arms fire. The vehicles can also mount a remote-controlled weapon/surveillance turret on the roof, and Austria’s vehicles will be fitted with a new variant of Elbit Systems’ . Around 1,500 of these vehicles are now ordered or in service with Italy, Austria, Belgium, Britain, Norway, and Spain. Contracts & Key Events LMV w. ORCWS 12.7mm(click to view full) May […]