JDW - FEBRUARY 18, 2004
Japan deploys Light Armoured Combat Vehicle to Iraq
CHRISTOPHER F FOSS JDW Land Forces Editor
London
The Japan Self-Defence Force contingent that is joining the US-led stabilisation operation in Iraq is equipped with one of Japan's latest armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs): the Light Armoured Combat Vehicle (LACV).
The core of the 1,000-strong mission is a 550-strong Ground Self-Defence Force (GSDF) contingent that will be based at Samawah in southern Iraq as part of the UK-led multinational division. A 200-strong Air Self-Defence Force contingent with three C-130 Hercules transports is based in Kuwait and will transport supplies and humanitarian aid to Iraq. Also included in the personnel total are the crews of Maritime Self-Defence Force ships that are scheduled to leave Japan on 20 February transporting heavy equipment to Iraq.
The LACV is the latest AFV to enter GSDF service following an initial contract in Fiscal Year 2000 for 102 vehicles.
The LACV is similar in appearance to the French Panhard VBL 4 x 4 amphibious scout vehicle. However, the LACV is larger, has greater internal volume and can undertake a wider range of roles and missions. The French VBL has a single door on either side and a large door in the hull rear while the Japanese LACV has two doors on each side and one at the rear.
Bullet-proof windows give the occupants the same level of protection as the all-welded hull. There is a two-part roof hatch towards the front of the vehicle and various weapons can be installed in the roof, including a 7.62mm machine gun or an anti-tank guided weapon. A bank of four electrically operated smoke grenade launchers is installed on either side at the rear.
The LACV has a combat weight of about 4.5 tonnes and the front-mounted diesel engine gives a maximum road speed of about 100km/h. The vehicle normally has a crew of four people. It is understood that the LACV is not amphibious, although it has a fording capability.
Until fairly recently, the GSDF relied mainly on tracked AFVs but has now started to move to wheeled vehicles, which offer greater strategic mobility.
Japanese ground troops in Samawah, Iraq, on 10 February with a Light Armoured Combat Vehicle
(Source: PA)
-т.е. если бы было написано"а вот я знал маиора обр спн ивана пупкина так он в бандюки подался",тогда читать бы это было бы менее противно.
, а на этот вопрос отвечу....
