SINGAPORE: Singapore company unveils the "Warthog" combat vehicle, bound for Afghanistan
Record ID:
575099
SINGAPORE: Singapore company unveils the "Warthog" combat vehicle, bound for Afghanistan
- Title: SINGAPORE: Singapore company unveils the "Warthog" combat vehicle, bound for Afghanistan
- Date: 29th September 2009
- Summary: SINGAPORE (SEPTEMBER 28, 2009) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF "WARTHOG" DEMONSTRATION PARKED "WARTHOGS" VARIOUS OF AUDIENCE CLAPPING AFTER DEMONSTRATION VARIOUS OF "WARTHOG" ELEMENTS UK BRIGADIER IAN SIMPSON IN FRONT OF "WARTHOG" (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRIGADIER IAN SIMPSON SAYING: "We're constantly looking to improve our capabilities on the ground, and because this gives us better capacity and better mobility, then it will give us better capability against emerging threats in Afghanistan." TRACKS VARIOUS OF BRIGADIER IAN SIMPSON INSPECTING VEHICLE BACK OF "WARTHOG" (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRIGADIER IAN SIMPSON SAYING: "This vehicle has gone through a very good testing programme already, so we've carried out some good tests, some demanding tests. Those tests will carry on for the next three months. We're gaining data all the time. Because we've taken an in-service vehicle and then amended it to give us the "Warthog", we've got a lot of confidence. The work we're doing to integrate all the systems onto it will give us yet more confidence so that when we do deploy it to our armed forces, we can be confident that we are giving them really good equipment capability." SIMPSON INSPECTING FRONT OF VEHICLE (SOUNDBITE) (English) ST KINETIC'S CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER, PATRICK CHOY, SAYING: "We believe there is a lot of potential for the vehicle to grow, and to be better as we go along. We're already working on a second generation, you know, "Warthog", for the British army, and certainly we would like to be able to serve the British army, by giving them better equipment." SIMPSON IN DRIVER'S SEAT VARIOUS OF UNVEILING CEREMONY WITH BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER TO SINGAPORE, PAUL MADDEN
- Embargoed: 14th October 2009 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Singapore
- Country: Singapore
- Topics: Industry,Defence / Military
- Reuters ID: LVA8KCZ1U5DRH83Z6ZQXZQSVMDIZ
- Story Text: A Singaporean engineering company has created an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) that will serve British troops on the ground in Afghanistan.
This is the "Warthog" -- an All-Terrain vehicle created by a Singaporean firm that will be sent to Afghanistan to serve British troops on the ground from 2010.
It is expected to provide troops with better protection against mines, as well as better agility in navigating through Afghanistan's unforgiving terrain.
The British Ministry of Defence (MOD) bought more than 100 of the vehicles in December 2008, in a deal worth over 150 million pounds.
It was adapted from an earlier model called the "Bronco" to meet the needs of the MOD.
Some of the modifications include air conditioning for troops in the rear carrier and the ability to carry up to six tonnes of weight.
The "Warthog", named because of its ability to withstand challenging conditions, weighs 19 tonnes. It can maneuver across difficult terrain, travel at a maximum road speed of 65 kilometres per hour, and power up steep slopes with gradients of up to 60 per cent.
It is also an amphibious vehicle that can float and swim through water and can be used as a troop carrier, an ambulance, a repair workshop or a fuel tanker.
Brigadier Ian Simpson, from the British Ministry of Defence, said troops on the ground are looking forward to using the new machine.
"We're constantly looking to improve our capabilities on the ground, and because this gives us better capacity and better mobility, then it will give us better capability against emerging threats in Afghanistan," he said.
The vehicle was tested in the United Arab Emirates for two months, in terrain conditions designed to simulate Afghanistan. The machine was driven over different types of sand, in dusty areas, rocky paths and on mountainous terrain. It was also sent to Finland, where it was exposed to snow conditions.
"This vehicle has gone through a very good testing programme already, so we've carried out some good tests, some demanding tests. Those tests will carry on for the next three months. We're gaining data all the time. Because we've taken an in-service vehicle and then amended it to give us the "Warthog", we've got a lot of confidence. The work we're doing to integrate all the systems onto it will give us yet more confidence so that when we do deploy it to our armed forces, we can be confident that we are giving them really good equipment capability," added Brigadier Ian Simpson.
For ST Kinetics, it's the first time the company will export significant numbers of its armored vehicles abroad. The company's chief marketing officer said there was plenty of room for improvement in the future.
"We believe there is a lot of potential for the vehicle to grow, and to be better as we go along. We're already working on a second generation, you know, "Warthog", for the British army, and certainly we would like to be able to serve the British army, by giving them better equipment," said ST Kinetic's Engineering's chief marketing officer, Patrick Choy.
ST Kinetics says the "Warthog" will enable troops to follow unpredictable routes.
Some of the vehicles will be delivered to Afghanistan at the end of the year, with the majority to be on the ground in 2010.
It will replace the Viking, which is currently being used by British troops in Afghanistan. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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