DSA 2024 – Deftech: première for two support vehicles, the AENBCRV and the AHRV
At DSA DRB-HICOM Defence Technologies, Deftech in short, exhibited for the first time two support vehicles, the Armoured Engineer Nuclear Biological Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle (AENBCRV) and the Armoured Heavy Recovery Vehicle (AHRV)
Support vehicles are force multipliers for an army, providing a series of services that allow commanders to take informed decisions, or to ensure proper recovery and maintenance capabilities. It is the case of two of the vehicles present in the huge Deftech booth at DSA 2024.
The AENBCRV is based on the AV8 Gempita vehicle, which has been heavily modified in the rear part to host a series of sensors and sampling systems. Deftech worked closely with OEM FNSS of Turkey, the AV8 being a close derivative of the PARS, the AENBCRV prototype having been developed in Turkey in the late 2010s. It is to note that the Malaysian NBCR recce vehicle is the only one based on a PARS-derivative 8×8 chassis, as all other PARS users developed similar versions based on 6×6 chassis.
The AENBCRV has a combat mass of 26,180 kg with a 3,000 kg payload, and is powered by a Deutz TCO 2015 V8 diesel engine allowing maximum road speed of 100 km/h. It is fitted with height adjustable suspensions, ground clearance varying between 205 and 520 mm, and is armed with a Denel remoted controlled weapon station.
The crew is made of a driver, a commander, sitting at the front, and two specialised operators at the rear. The rear door opens upwards and downwards, the latter part being fitted with an aperture allowing the collection of samples. On the right of the door, we find the dispenser that allows distributing on the ground warning signals, depending on the type of threat encountered, while on the left probes allow terrain sampling. Inside the vehicle is fully equipped to allow specialists to analyse samples, when this is not done automatically by systems installed.
The sensors suite is provided by Environics of Finland, which in September 2022 was acquired by French Bertin Technologies. Radiation sensors are distributed on the vehicle in order to provide 360° coverage at a range of 50-100 metres, a long-range sensor allowing detecting, identify and visualise clouds containing chemical warfare agents, toxic industrial chemicals and Gas X up to 5 km range. A complete meteorological data station is installed on the vehicle, wind speed and direction being key players in the CBRN world. All data are fed into the Battle Management System and forwarded to the higher command echelon for dissemination.
Until now Deftech produced four such very specialised versions of the AV8; however, it is clear that these are not sufficient to cover the whole country, therefore it is highly possible that in the future more of them will be ordered by the Tentera Darat Malaysia, the Royal Malaysian Army.
Avoiding contaminated area is an important element in a military operation, recovering broken down or damaged vehicles being another factor to allow their repair and rapid return on the front, when possible. To this end the AHRV has been developed, based on a Volvo FMX 8×8 chassis. The armoured cabin is provided by FNSS of Turkey and ensures the four-man crew made of the driver, the commander and two mechanics, a Level 2 ballistic protection.
The main crane can lift up to 30 tonnes at 5.4 metres arm extension, while at its maximum extension of 10.8 metres it can lift up to 9 tonnes. Four hydraulic jacks ensure vehicle stabilisation during lift operations. Crane operations can be carried out remotely, a command consoles being available on each side of the vehicle. A recovery winch capable of 30 tonnes pull is installed at the front, while the AHRV can tow a 30 tonnes vehicle, also employing the T-frame available at the rear that allows pulling a wheeled vehicle while keeping its front wheels off the ground.
The AHRV also features a dozer blade installed at the front that provides it obstacle removal capability, while self-protection is provided by a 7.62 mm machine gun. It has a combat weight of 36,000 kg.
Deftech delivered to the Malaysian Army eight such vehicles, which were included in the AV-8 Gempita contract.
Photos by P. Valpolini
