BAE Systems Hägglunds and Iveco Defence Vehicles Collaborate for Italian Armed Forces
BAE Systems Hägglunds and Iveco Defence Vehicles have entered into a significant memorandum of understanding to jointly provide the Bandvagn Skyddad 10 (BvS10), a state-of-the-art all-terrain vehicle, to the Italian Armed Forces. This collaboration marks a strategic initiative aimed at localizing both the design and production of the vehicle within Italy. Through this partnership, the companies intend to customize the platform to meet specific military requirements.
To ensure the success of their endeavor, the consortium plans to leverage expertise, technological knowledge, and experience acquired from previous collaborations on national security projects. Currently, the BvS10 is actively used by several nations, including Sweden, the UK, the US, France, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, and Ukraine.
Commitment to Quality from Industry Leaders
Claudio Catalano, the CEO of Iveco Defence Vehicles, expressed the company’s dedication to providing optimal survivability, performance, reliability, and safety for the Italian Army and allied forces. “We are committed to addressing the diverse needs of the Italian military, ensuring our solutions meet the evolving challenges of modern warfare,” he stated.
Similarly, Tommy Gustafsson-Rask, General Manager of BAE Systems Hägglunds, emphasized the importance of this agreement, noting that it “reinforces our commitment to enhancing European defense capabilities and fostering industrial growth.” Both leaders highlighted their shared vision for advancing military technology in Europe.
Features and Capabilities of the BvS10
The Bandvagn Skyddad 10 is a robust tracked amphibious vehicle that boasts NATO-standard armor, providing protection against small arms and light artillery. With a length of 8 meters (26 feet), the BvS10 can transport over 10 personnel or carry around 8,000 kilograms (17,637 pounds) of cargo. This versatile platform is not only built for durability but is also equipped with a range of weapon systems including machine guns, an automatic grenade launcher, smoke grenades, and mortars.
In terms of mobility, the BvS10 can reach land speeds of up to 70 kilometers (43 miles) per hour, and it is capable of navigating water at approximately 5 kilometers (3 miles) per hour. Its operational range extends to 500 kilometers (311 miles), making it a formidable asset in various operational scenarios. The modular architecture of the vehicle allows for adaptability across missions such as command and control, logistics, medical evacuation, repair and recovery, and weapon support.
