WHEN you hear the words infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), what’s the first thing that pops into your mind?
Some would say tanks in war-torn areas or others would mention their favourite war movies that feature infantry tanks such as Brad Pitt’s latest movie Fury.
We might not have much knowledge about infantry fighting vehicles in Fiji but a quick website search would help to better understand the different types of infantry fighting vehicles used overseas.
There are various types of infantry fighting vehicles that countries such as the US, Britain, France, Switzerland and Russia use today that would be interesting to know more about.
Website military-today.com highlights some interesting details about some of the top infantry fighting vehicles in the world. Highlighted a rethree top IFV in the world.
* M2 Bradley (USA).
The original M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle entered service with the US Army in 1981.
Currently US Army operate improved M2A3 version of this vehicle.
The M2A3 version is fitted with explosive reactive armor of new generation.
The vehicle is armed with a two-man turret, fitted with a 25-mm dual-fed Bushmaster chain gun. It fires armor-piercing and HE-FRAG rounds. The M2 Bradley is equipped with a twin-tube TOW-2 anti tank guided missile launcher, providing this vehicle a considerable anti-armor capability.
* Freccia (Italy).
The Freccia is an Italian wheeled infantry vehicle. It evolved from the wheeled Centauro 8×8 tank destroyer and it entered service the Italian Army in 2009.
It is claimed that the front arc of the Freccia provides protection against 25mm to 30mm rounds.
The vehicle is armed with a 25mm cannon and two 7.62 mm machine guns. The cross-country performance of the Freccia is inferior to tracked designs.
* VBCI (France).
The French Army went for a wheeled design to replace the previous AMX-10P IFV. A total of 630 VBCI infantry fighting vehicles were ordered by the French Army. The vehicle has a modular armor protection that can be adapted to the threat.
Welded steel and aluminum hull provides all-round protection against small arms fire and artillery shell splinters. It is armed with a 25mm cannon and coaxial 7.62mm machine gun.
The infantry fighting vehicle is fully compatible with emerging digitalised battlefield. The VBCI is fitted with combat identification system and has secure data and voice communications.
