Colombian Naval Infantry eyes on the General Dynamics' LAV III DVH light armored vehicle

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Defence & Security News - Colombia

 
 
Thursday, October 9, 2014 12:45 PM
 
Colombian Naval Infantry eyes on the General Dynamics' LAV III DVH light armored vehicle
According to Infodefensa, Colombian Naval Infantry is interested in initiating a process for the selection of a 8x8 Armoured Personnel Carrier vehicle, with which it will reinforce the fleet of its Mobile Battalion No.1 (BAMIM No. 1). The intention would be to acquire a similar vehicle as used in the Colombian Army, in order to standardize the fleet and reduce logistics costs.
     
According to Infodefensa, Colombian Naval Infantry is interested in initiating a process for the selection of a 8x8 Armoured Personnel Carrier vehicle, with which it will reinforce the fleet of its Mobile Battalion No.1 (BAMIM No. 1). The intention would be to acquire a similar vehicle as used in the Colombian Army, in order to standardize the fleet and reduce logistics costs.
General Dynamics Land Systems LAV III Double-V Hull APC
     
In principle the intended model would be the General Dynamics Land Systems Light Armored Vehicle LAV III DVH, which Colombia have already acquired 32 units for its Mechanized Infantry. Preliminary talks would have revealed the initial purpose of obtaining 30 units; however, to date, would apparently inquiring for only ten vehicles, preferably Americans remaining, all equipped with remote weapon stations -RWS- with the ability to deploy anti-tank missiles.

The new equipment would allow the Colombian Naval Infantry Command to provide the BAMIM No. 1 with armored personnel carriers and also to begin to the creation of a second Mobile Battalion. During the last decade, the Colombian Marines tested and deployed for a short time a copy of the BTR-80 8x8 (locally called Caribbean), thanks to an agreement between the Russian company Roxoboronexport and Colombian company Cotecmar that included the assembly of this model in Colombia, and of which 20 units would be allocated to Marines Corps. Finally, this project was scrapped, apparently for technical and maintenance reasons. If talks progress in a good way, project could be completed by mid-2015.