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Background
— Armoured Patrol Vehicle Antecendent — Casspir |
Note: The
Casspir was never a candidate for the APV contest. However, Casspir always arises in
discussions of mine-resistant vehicles. |
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South Africa has led the world in the design of mine-resistant vehicles. [1] But, inside that country,
Casspirs are associated with Apart- heid and these armoured 4x4s are being sold off.
Refurbished Casspirs can be bought for very low prices [2] which led us, in the past, to recommend
these used vehicles for use by the CF. Such suggestions are always rejected out of hand as “rummaging in
bargain bins”. So, why are we describing the Casspirs here? |
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Leader of the Pack – Casspir, Dawn of Mine-Resistant Vehicles
Casspir will protect its crew against the blast of three TM-57 mines under its wheels. Few vehicles can
survive, such a blast – Casspirs are designed to lose a wheel or axle and be mobile again in less than
2 hours. All repairs of mine-blast damage can usually be done in the field. If fact, when fitted with heavy
all-steel wheels (see left), otherwise unmodified Casspirs can be used for clearing minefields.
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Nobody would argue that a Casspir is the equal of a LAV III but
these South African vehicles would be well-suited to CF operations in Afghanistan. APV Nyalas are a
smaller relative (and most welcome) but there is a role for a larger
mine-resistant vehicle. The Casspir is now long in the tooth and, in any case, the time has past
for planning combat operations we are already engaged in. Nevertheless, it is prudent to think fast
about the obvious weak links in Afghanistan – most would agree this is the LSVW light truck which – even
with applique armouring – will be extremely vulnerable to
IEDs, RPGS, etc.
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The Casspir spawned logistics variants. [3] Updated versions of their armour-protected Biesbok carrier
and Duiker tanker show the way for an LSVW replacement. Whether a home-grown vehicle or
‘off-the-shelf’, what is needed is an economical hauler that can withstand what the Taliban
throws at it. In the APV IOR, the CDS showed how rapidly a new
vehicle can be fielded. A similarly speedy contest is possible to replace LSVWs. [3]
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Casspir Specifications
— Crew, Construction, and Protection
| Crew and cargo: |
2 crew + 12 infantry + 1800kg payload |
| Armament (APC): |
up to 3 x MGs (2 rooftop, 1 swivel in cab) |
| Armament (aux.): |
12 x rifle ports (in hull sides) for infantry |
| Vehicle size: |
Length 6.9m, height 2.85m, width 2.45m |
| Vehicle weight: |
10,800kg gross (9,000kg basic vehicle) [4] |
| Hull construction: |
V-shaped welded steel monocoque |
| Blast protection: |
21kg beneath wheel, kg beneath hull |
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Casspir Specifications
— Drive System and Performance
| Powerplant: |
124kW Mercedes-Benz OM 352 A [5] |
| Engine type: |
6-cylinder inline turbocharged diesel |
| Transmission: |
4-speed synchromesh, manual shift |
| Drive type: |
Full-time 4WD, live axles/leaf springs |
| Maximum range: |
Approximately 770km |
| Fuel/consumption: |
220 litre fuel tank / 25 litres per hour |
| Top road speed: |
70km/h (hard dirt), [6] 98km/h (paved) |
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[1] The CF already has South African Mamba/Nyala/APVs in service for
route-proving. These small 4x4s were built by the same firm that designed the Casspir. That corporate name has
changed several times. Casspirs were built by TFM which became Reumech OMC, which was renamed Vickers OMC when
bought by the British defence giant, which in turn was taken over by Alvis, since bought out by GDLS.
[2] The Indian government bought 178 refurbished Casspirs (sources vary, JDW says 165) with
spares for US$12M or about C$90,000 per vehicle according to SIPRI. Prices have not changed much.
Used Casspirs can be purchased in South Africa for the same amount today.
[3] Earlier attempts at armoured haulers for convoys tended to be 2 1/2-ton trucks fitted with armoured sides.
Logistics Casspirs could not haul as much but are much better protected. (NB: the Biesbok load
carriers had an unarmoured bed. Duiker tankers can mimic a Biesbok.)
[4] Casspir is lighter and more compact than existing CF APCs. With its tire pressure reduced, the
Casspir can be driven into a Hercules
transports. Upon arrival, the vehicle is driven off of the aircraft, central controls restore tire pressure, and
the Casspir is fully operational.
[5] Indian Casspirs have a local, TATA drivetrain. The Casspir has also inspired a local
blast-resistant vehicle, the Medak (OF) Stallion.
[6] Based on ideal, hard-packed dirt surfaces. Under more realistic conditions, the Casspir would
average closer to 50 km/h on dirt roads.
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