Jane’s is reporting that Nigeria is taking delivery of a consignment of T-72 tanks and other armored vehicles. According to the article preview the vehicles are being transported by plane from the Czech Republic and that “The aircraft will make three trips between Ostrava-Mosnov and the end user to transport a total of 16 vehicles.” According to the website Global Security, Nigeria has ordered and/or received 77 T-72 tanks and 16 AMX-30 tanks in the period of 2001 – 2008 to add to their existing tank inventory, which is mainly made up of T54/55 vehicles. However, other reports state that Nigeria just recently added the 77 T-72 tanks to their inventory. Reportedly, these tanks are being used to fight Boko Harum. Pictures show that these vehicles are equipped with what appears to be Kontakt ERA.
Nigeria purchases T-72 tanks from Czech Republic?
Ukraine’s Tank Graveyard
The Telegraph has posted an interesting picture gallery of a large tank “graveyard” near the city of Kharkov in Ukraine. These photos were snapped by an intrepid young explorer named Patvel Itkin, who was able to sneak past the guards and enter the compound. This area was once a repair depot but now houses roughly 400 tanks, silently rusting away. These photos were originally posted back in March of 2014.
Ukrainian Tank Commander becomes Internet meme
Reuters has an interesting article about the Facebook page of Ukrainian tank commander Alexei Chaban. A First Lieutenant of the Ukrainian 17th Tank Brigade, Chaban, 50, became an internet sensation after he posted an open letter on Facebook to the mother of a Russian tank commander whose life he had spared during a skirmish last week. The incident occurred on Jan. 22 when a Russian commander, gunner, and driver got ouf of their damaged vehicle within gun range of Chaban’s tank. “When they got out of their disabled vehicle, we just had to push a button in our tank and all that would have been left of them would have been a memory of our sinful world,” Chaban wrote. “We didn’t kill them. We let them go.” Chaban’s Facebook page is in Russian and contains numerous snapshots from the field and commentary on equipment.
“Brave Tiger” CM11 gets ERA protection.
Jane’s is reporting that recent photographs have confirmed that at the Republic of China Army has upgraded at least part of their fleet of CM11 “Brave Tiger” MBTs with explosive reactive armor. Jane’s reporter Christopher Foss notes that the exact origin of the ERA on the Tiawanese tanks is not known, but it appears similar to ERA developed by France rather than the Blazer ERA used by the Israel Defense Forces. The CM11 is one of the stranger variants of the M48/M60 family, consisting of an upgraded M48 turret on a M60 hull.
MRAP vehicles in the News
Several short articles have appeared recently regarding Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles. Earlier this month, the United States announced that it was donating 250 MRAP vehicles to the Iraqi government to help it fight against the Islamic State group. This military aid package also includes six M1 Abrams tanks and 50 armored Humvees. IHS Jane’s is reporting that the US is also donating more than 300 MRAP vehicles to Uzbekistan. This is believed to be the largest single arms transfer from the US to a Central Asian Republic. In other news, the Czech Ministry of Defense has announced that they are looking to purchase 62 MRAP vehicles. Tactical Report is reporting that Kuwaiti Defense Ministry is going ahead with plans to supply the Mechanize Division of the Kuwaiti Land Forces with a new MRAP vehicle. They also report that the UAE is helping Libya aquire MRAP vehicles for the Libyan army. Meanwhile, the use of MRAP vehicles by domestic police departments in the US continues to generate controversy.
British Light Tanks for Sale as Surplus
The Telegraph has a rather amusing article about how much various bits of military hardware that the British military are looking to sell are worth. Need a Scimitar light tank? 39,995 pounds sterling please. For 55,000 pounds you can get a Samaritan battlefield ambulance. Only 50 were produced so it’s sure to be a collectors item! This sale of military equipment is reported to be part of the British Ministry of Defense plans to cut costs and get rid of unnecessary equipment and assets.
M1A1 Abrams Spotted With Iraqi Militia
IHS Jane’s 360 is reporting that a M1A1 Abrams was spotted in a video as part of a convoy of vehicles operated by pro-Iranian Iraqi militia Kataib Hizbullah. According to the article, “the videos were released on 25 January on YouTube channels that are supportive of Kataib Hizbullah, a Shia militant group that emerged as a major threat to US and British forces during the 2003-11 period and has been fighting alongside the Iraqi Army against the Islamic State militant group in recent months.“
US Army Officials call for two new light vehicles
Defense News is reporting that the US Army’s Maneuver Center of Excellence at Fort Benning GA is seeking approval for a plan to purchase and field 300 light vehicles for 18th Airborne Corps global response force. The article states that a vendor could be selected and vehicles fielded as early as 2016. The suggested requirements include a “ultralight combat vehicle (ULCV)” which would be required to carry an infantry squad, weigh 4,500 lbs and be able to be transported by sling load on a UH-60 Blackhawk and also be air-droppable by a C-130 Hercules. The other suggested vehicle is a “light reconnaissance vehicle (LRV)” which would carry six scouts with gear, provide protection from artillery shrapnel and carry a medium caliber weapon. This vehicle would be transportable by a CH-47 Chinook.
Ukraine restarting T-64-based IFV development
Janes.com is reporting that Ukraine has restarted development of heavy infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) based on the T-64 main battle tank. Ukroboronprom (Ukrainian State Defense Contractor) has stated that work on this vehicle could be completed in time to allow for mass production by the end of the year. Currently Ukraine’s armed forces rely primarily on the BMP-2 as their IFV. It is reported that BMP-2’s have been lost in greater numbers than any other armored vehicle in Ukrainian service, a factor most likely contributing to the renewal in interest in a heavier, T-64 based IFV.
Tank and AFV News 