Delivery of Iveco VBTP Guarani 6x6 APC to Philippine Army delayed.
According to Defense Studies, a community member received unconfirmed reports that a VBTP Guarani 6x6 amphibious APC is being held at Iveco's yard, pending authorization to ship it to the Philippines. The delay allegedly stemmed from an action by Germany where some components of the Guarani come from and, hence, does not accept to release the export. To be confirmed.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Iveco Guarani amphibious APC (Picture source: DefesaAereaNaval via Defense Studies)
The Philippine Army is expected the delivery of 28 such amphibious vehicles acquired under the Wheeled Armored Personnel Acquisition Project awarded to Elbit Sytems Land and C4I which integrates Elbit Sytems into the Guarani.
Elbit Systems announced on 7 February 2021 that the contract with the Philippines would be performed over a three-year period, pointing out that the Guaranis will be equipped with an Elbit-made remote weapon station mounting a 12.7 mm machine gun and a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher, as well as a range of the company’s sub-systems, including electric drive and stabilization systems, fire-control systems, Torch-X battle management systems, E-LynX software-defined radio systems, gunner and commander sights, as well as life support systems. The vehicles will be manufactured at Iveco’s military vehicle facility at Sete Lagoas in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais.
The VBTP-MR Guarani (Portuguese: "Viatura Blindada Transporte de Pessoal – Média de Rodas", which stands for "Armored Personnel Carrier Vehicle – Medium Wheeled Type") is a 6×6 armored personnel carrier developed by Iveco and the Brazilian Army as part of its "Urutu-III" modernization program aimed to replace all EE-11 Urutu by 2015. The 8x8 version of the VBTP-MR is the base of Iveco's Superav armored personnel carrier. In the program, other Brazilian companies also participated, such as IMBEL (communications), Elbit (armament), and Usiminas and Villares (development of national ballistic structural steel).
VBTP-MR Guarani is powered by Iveco's Cursor 9 turbocharged diesel engine, developing 383 hp and coupled to an automatic transmission. The vehicle has a hydropneumatic suspension. Modular side floats can be added for improved floatation. The baseline APC can be airlifted by C-130 Hercules. The vehicle has a crew of 2 and is designed to transport 9 troops.
