Oct 6 2012
99 of the Royal Marines' BvS10 Viking All Terrain Armoured Vehicles are being upgraded by BAE Systems via a £38m contract awarded to the aerospace/defence firm on 3 October 2012.
BvS10 Viking (image copyright US Marine Corps)
As per the UK MoD's contract specifications, the upgrades will see these Viking vehicles brought up to the Mk2 standard.
The Royal Marines is already equipped with some examples of this upgraded Viking design but, soon, will have an all-Mk2 fleet. The 99 Royal Marines BvS10s will be given extensively redesigned v-shaped hulls, enhancing their ability to withstand mine explosions and boosting their amphibious qualities. Certified up to a maximum weight of 14 tonnes, the Royal Marines' twin-car Vikings will also have their braking and suspension systems modified and some examples will get enhanced rear cars, too.
Upgraded Marines Vikings
Upgrading the Viking All Terrain Armoured Vehicles will help keep them in Royal Marines service for another two decades and the last upgraded Marines Viking are expected to have been rolled out by December 2014.
Three nations are presently equipped with BvS10 Vikings - the UK, France and the Netherlands, with Sweden soon set to join them. These vehicles carry up to 12 armed forces personnel and their main armament is a 12.7mm or 7.62mm machine gun, with an array of smoke grenade launchers used as secondary weapons.
BvS10 Viking Vehicle Upgrades
BvS10 Vikings spearhead the Royal Marines' armoured fighting vehicle fleet and, among other deployments, they've been extensively used in Afghanistan. The service's other armoured fighting vehicles include Jackals, Pinzgauers and Land Rover Wolves.
"The highly versatile Viking is fundamental to the Royal Marines' ability to carry out littoral operations and this cost-effective programme will sustain this vital capability", explained BAE Systems support services director, Alan Lines, in a company press release.
"Such regeneration and upgrade programmes are a growing part of our work as defence budgets tighten around the world."