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| Latest UK armoured cars unveiled | Latest UK armoured cars unveiled |
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| A fleet of armoured vehicles designed for use in Afghanistan has been unveiled by the Ministry of Defence. | A fleet of armoured vehicles designed for use in Afghanistan has been unveiled by the Ministry of Defence. |
| The Husky, Wolfhound and Coyote models are being introduced as part of a £350m tactical support vehicles programme. | The Husky, Wolfhound and Coyote models are being introduced as part of a £350m tactical support vehicles programme. |
| They are not direct replacements for the lightly-armoured Snatch 2 Land Rover which has been criticised for failing to offer sufficient protection. | They are not direct replacements for the lightly-armoured Snatch 2 Land Rover which has been criticised for failing to offer sufficient protection. |
| However, the MoD says the fleet will give commanders greater ability to choose the best vehicle for the job. | However, the MoD says the fleet will give commanders greater ability to choose the best vehicle for the job. |
| Defence chiefs unveiled the latest equipment at Millbrook Proving Ground, Bedfordshire, where they were also showcasing the latest forces' tents, clothing, food and medical supplies. name="link"> class="bodl" href="#graphic">Coyote's new defences Defence Equipment Minister Quentin Davies said they would provide troops with high-quality and versatile equipment to give a "battle-winning edge in Afghanistan". | |
| The Coyotes are expected to be delivered to troops by the autumn | The Coyotes are expected to be delivered to troops by the autumn |
| "We are working tirelessly to ensure they have the right equipment for the right job and ensuring that we respond quickly and innovatively to equipment requests from the frontline," he added. | "We are working tirelessly to ensure they have the right equipment for the right job and ensuring that we respond quickly and innovatively to equipment requests from the frontline," he added. |
| Alongside the new fleet of vehicles, which are at the advanced prototype stage, the MoD revealed a new lightweight textile-based armour to protect vehicles from rocket-propelled grenades. | Alongside the new fleet of vehicles, which are at the advanced prototype stage, the MoD revealed a new lightweight textile-based armour to protect vehicles from rocket-propelled grenades. |
| More than 20 sets of this Tarian system, developed by Dorset-based Amsafe, are in use in Afghanistan and allow the weight saved on armour to be carried elsewhere on the vehicle. | More than 20 sets of this Tarian system, developed by Dorset-based Amsafe, are in use in Afghanistan and allow the weight saved on armour to be carried elsewhere on the vehicle. |
| In April, the MoD ordered 262 machine gun-equipped Husky vehicles from US-based Navistar Defence. | In April, the MoD ordered 262 machine gun-equipped Husky vehicles from US-based Navistar Defence. |
| They have been designed for a range of Afghanistan missions, including transporting food, water and ammunition, and acting as a command vehicle at headquarters. | They have been designed for a range of Afghanistan missions, including transporting food, water and ammunition, and acting as a command vehicle at headquarters. |
| Some will be fitted as protected ambulances. | Some will be fitted as protected ambulances. |
| The 97 Wolfhounds will be used in high-threat areas to carry bulky stores, to help construct forward bases and as gun tractors for light artillery. | The 97 Wolfhounds will be used in high-threat areas to carry bulky stores, to help construct forward bases and as gun tractors for light artillery. |
| Convoy protection | Convoy protection |
| More than 70 high-mobility Coyotes are expected to be operational by the autumn. | More than 70 high-mobility Coyotes are expected to be operational by the autumn. |
| They are a six-wheeled version of the existing Jackal, which is used for reconnaissance, rapid assault and convoy protection. | They are a six-wheeled version of the existing Jackal, which is used for reconnaissance, rapid assault and convoy protection. |
| Last week, the BBC revealed that four families of servicemen killed while using Snatch Land Rovers in Iraq and Afghanistan are to sue the MoD for negligence. | Last week, the BBC revealed that four families of servicemen killed while using Snatch Land Rovers in Iraq and Afghanistan are to sue the MoD for negligence. |
| They claim the Snatch is insufficiently protected to cope with weapons used against them, such as roadside bombs. | They claim the Snatch is insufficiently protected to cope with weapons used against them, such as roadside bombs. |
| Since 2003, 37 UK personnel have died while using the vehicles. | Since 2003, 37 UK personnel have died while using the vehicles. |
| Ministers say the vehicle's agility makes it essential but that it will be replaced by better-protected Snatch Vixen models. | Ministers say the vehicle's agility makes it essential but that it will be replaced by better-protected Snatch Vixen models. |
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