Royal Marines To Get Viking Upgrades

09.10.2012

Plans to upgrade a number of the Royal Marines' BvS 10 Viking APCs have been announced. 99 of the vehicles will be modified to Mk2 standard with a cost of £38 million. These improvements, to be carried out by BAE Systems, include:

• redesigned v-shaped underbodies for both front and rear cars, featuring improved resistance to mine blast and better amphibious performance
  
  
• front and rear cars will have upgrades to the brakes and suspension systems and will be certified for a maximum weight of 14 gross tonnes
  
  
• 19 of the Mk2 Vikings will be converted to a new crew-served weapon variant featuring a weapons mount on the rear car in addition to the one on the front car
  
  
• 9 Mk2s will be converted to a mortar carrier variant featuring a flatbed rear car designed as a firing platform for a 81mm mortar.

The Royal Marines already have a small number of Mk2 Vikings. The upgrade program will bring the entire 120-strong fleet of Vikings up to Mk2 standard and is expected to be completed by December 2014.

BvS 10 Vikings, these with the Royal Tank Regiment (RTR), engage enemy positions during an operation in Afghanistan. The Viking is typically armed with a 7.62mm GPMG or 12.7mm HMG. They are also fitted with multiple smoke grenade launchers. The Warthog APC has replaced the Viking in the Afghanistan theater.

Image by POA(PHOT) Gaz Armes | © UK MOD / Crown Copyright 2024 | used under open government licence

more info / further reading:

• Royal Marines BvS10 Viking Vehicle Upgrades
  (armed forces international)
  
  
• Vamping up the Royal Navy Viking 04.10.12
  (british forces news video report)
  
  
• BvS10 Viking
  (eliteukforces.info information on the bvs10 viking)
  
  

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