23.05.2023, 10:18
https://www.edrmagazine.eu/first-public-...-ascod-vac
Zitat:The Spanish Army is aiming at replacing its ageing M113A2 TOA armoured personnel carriers, and the TESS consortium, formed to develop and manufacture the new 8×8 IFV Dragon, is exhibiting the ASCOD VAC, an upgraded version of the ASCOD platform, visible at FEINDEF in four more different configurations.
The VAC, for Vehículo de Apoyo a Cadena, tracked support vehicle, is an improved version of the ASCOD platform. Last month the programme was approved and 1.97 billion Euro will be invested in the acquisition of those new armoured vehicles which first one should start operating in 2027, deliveries spanning over an nine-year period.
The VAC will be developed in numerous configurations, the main one being the Armoured Personnel Carrier. The VAC on show at FEINDEF was fitted with a 120 mm breach-loading mortar turret developed by Escribano, capable to fire 10 rounds per minute in indirect and direct fire modes. Many other versions are planned, the Spanish Army Castor combat engineer vehicle, also a first at FEINDEF, being already fitted with some of the VAC elements.