Armscor issues bid for border patrol vehicles

The South African Army’s extensive search for armored personnel carriers (APCs) for border patrol duties has progressed with the publication of a new invitation to bid by Armscor.

The tender according to DefenceWeb, was released on July 23 and seeks proposals for nearly 500 APCs to support both internal and external missions of the South African Army.

Over a dozen local companies received invitations from Armscor to submit their APCs for testing and functional evaluation along the border in October last year. They were subsequently invited to participate in Exercise Vuk’uhlome at the South African Army Combat Training Centre in Lohatlha in November, providing an opportunity for display and exhibition.

The tender specifies three distinct vehicle variants: 210 Section variants, 144 Command variants, and 108 Ambulance variants.

Armscor’s preference is for off-the-shelf vehicles that can be adapted with modifications to meet local conditions and specific requirements of the South African Army.

A bidders’ conference is set to take place on July 31 at Armscor, with the deadline for bids falling on August 23. The anticipated delivery date for the vehicles is March 15, 2025.

In the tender document, Armscor specifies that the armored personnel carriers must have a payload capacity of at least 1.5 tons and a maximum gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 13.5 tons.

The vehicles must be air transportable by Ilyushin Il-76 or Airbus A400M aircraft and capable of being transported by ships and flatbed rail containers.

The minimum protection standard required is against kinetic threats up to STANAG 4569 Level 1, which includes protection from small caliber 7.62×51 mm rounds.

The vehicles should also feature fire suppression systems, run-flat tires, and central tire inflation systems (CTIS).

The vehicles must be 4×4, with a road range of at least 600 km, a top speed exceeding 100 km/h on paved surfaces, a cruising speed of 80 km/h, and an average speed of 30 km/h off-road. They should be powered by diesel engines with automatic transmissions and capable of operating in temperatures ranging from -11 to +50 degrees Celsius.

Additional technical requirements include a self-recovery winch, tow hitch, air conditioning, roof hatches, 150 liters of drinking water storage, exterior lighting, a weapon ring mount, and provision for a weapon station (up to 450 kg) on the roof.

The Section variant must accommodate a driver and a crew of ten.

The Command variant needs to be equipped with HF, VHF, and ground-to-air radios, as well as a robust auxiliary power supply system.

The Ambulance variant must include HF and VHF radios, accommodate a driver and medic, and feature a medical compartment with a minimum height of 1.6 meters and width of 1.7 meters. It should also be equipped with a bench, stretcher, and medical equipment, including a defibrillator, suction unit, and oxygen cylinders.

These new APCs are set to replace the existing fleet of troop pack vehicles, which consisted of over 400 Toyota Land Cruisers originally purchased for border patrol duties. National Treasury has allocated R500 million for the 2024/25 fiscal year to fund the procurement of these new vehicles.

Seven prominent South African defence companies have stepped up to the challenge, submitting their vehicles for rigorous testing and evaluation along the nation’s borderlines.

Among the participants in this rigorous evaluation process, DCD Protected Mobility is presenting an impressive lineup, including the Springbuck SD, Springbuck HD with Command & Control system (in conjunction with GC2T), Springbuck Multi-Platform, and potentially, the Husky, showcasing a comprehensive solution.

Twiga, on the other hand, contemplated submitting its Nyati APC but decided against it, deeming the Nyati specifications to exceed the border patrol requirements, making it more suitable for motorized infantry operations.

OTT Solutions is contributing its Puma M36 Mk 6 4×4 APC, Paramount is presenting its new Maatla lightweight 4×4 APC, and Milkor is offering its 4×4 APC. Automotive Investment Holdings (AIH) has collaborated with Integrated Convoy Protection (ICP) to provide the Reva V armoured personnel carrier. SVI will also participate with its Max 3 lightweight, low-cost armoured vehicle.

Meanwhile, Armscor recently announced a significant tender for the development of specialized 6×6 vehicles tailored for the South African Special Forces. This initiative is part of a broader effort to augment the operational capabilities and firepower of the forces during critical missions.

Two potential contenders are South African-based SVI and Armormax with their Max 9 and TAC-6 respectively.

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) recently resuscitated hundreds of inoperable military vehicles, giving the army a much-needed boost in its capabilities.

The vehicles, which had been standing idle for years, were refurbished by technical service personnel at De Brug, Army Base outside Bloemfontein in August last year. The refurbishment process included repairing or replacing damaged parts, repainting the vehicles, and testing them to ensure that they were in good working order.

Similarly, in 2022, close to a hundred Cuban military mechanics and technicians from the Caribbean Island nation’s military helped refurbish and repair more than 10,000 Samil and similar vehicles of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). Over R277 million have been spent on repairing and preserving military vehicles, Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Defence and Military Veterans (PCDMV) was informed.

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Source: https://www.military.africa/2024/07/armscor-issues-bid-for-border-patrol-vehicles/

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