Get Ready for the Beast

A beast of a vehicle will be unleashed on operations when MOD converts more than 100 Broncos, from Singapore Technologies Kinetics, into Warthog armoured vehicles for the Armed Forces in Afghanistan.>> Bronco will arrive in the UK in 2009 to undergo transformation to become the armoured, all-terrain vehicle Warthog replacing the Viking in Afghanistan.>> Warthog will be powered by a 7.2 litre engine producing 350 bhp and will be able to move through water - all while carrying up to 14 troops.>> When not in the water, the highly agile, all-terrain vehicle will be able to climb steep gradients, cling to severe side slopes, tackle vertical obstacles and roll across trenches.>> Minister for Defence, Equipment and Support, Quentin Davies, said:>> "Warthog will be true to its name as a beast of a vehicle that can manoeuvre across difficult terrain, power-up steep gradients and even cling to slopes. Warthog will provide improved protection to our troops in Afghanistan's green zone, where water and a fragile infrastructure make it difficult for other vehicles to operate. It will be able to move through deep water while carrying troops at the heart of our operations.">> A protected gun mount, extra armour, specialist electronic counter-measure equipment and communications tools will be added before Warthog is deployed on operations.>> Warthog will come in four variants - a troop carrier, an ambulance, a command vehicle and a repair and recovery vehicle. The ambulance variant will be capable of carrying casualties, medics and kit. Warthog's repair and recovery variant will be fitted with a crane and winch, and will have the capability of towing another 18-tonne Warthog vehicle back from the front line.