Hey, Bulldog! Britain Orders More Up-Armored FV430s

FV430 Mk3, Iraq(click to view full) The British Army is currently upgrading about 500 FV430 Mk3 Armored Personnel Carriers with specialty armor and upgraded components (including IED jammer antennas in some cases), in order to equip an armored battlegroup. The intent is to replace many of Britain’s overworked, no-air-conditioning Warrior fighting vehicles in theater. While the up-armored “Bulldogs” lack the Warrior’s 30mm cannon and blazing speed, they are better protected, have air conditioning, are less hostile-looking to locals, and aren’t as apt to tear up local roads due to improved tread designs. These modified FV430s weigh 13 tonnes (28,600 pounds), with a top speed of 44 mph/ 70 kph, and can carry 8 infantry plus a crew of 2. The net result is the replacement of many Land Rovers and Warriors in the Iraqi theater with Mastiff Cougar variants and FV430 Bulldogs, which offer more protection for urban warfare scenarios. As of July 2007, more than 200 of the upgraded vehicles have already been delivered on time and on budget. Now the UK MoD has confirmed that an order has been placed with BAE Systems Land Systems and their main subcontractor, ABRO, for an additional 400 Bulldog vehicles to be […]