According to information obtained by the French newspaper La Tribune, the French manufacturer Arquus will provide Ukraine with 20 Bastion armored vehicles; the contract is being finalized between the French manufacturer, owned by the Swedish group Volvo, and the French Minsitry of Defense.
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Arquus Bastion 4x4 APC displayed at SOFINS 2019, Special Forces Operations Equipment Exhibition near Bordeaux, France. April 3, 2019. This vehicle is fitted with a Hornet RWS, which, at first, will not be the case for the 20 vehicles purchased for the Ukrainian army (Picture source: Army Recognition)
Like other European countries, France has become a significant supplier of weapon systems to Ukraine, the most efficient and spectacular one being Nexter’s CAESAR 155mm self-propelled howitzers. Arquus VAB 4x4 APCs have also been supplied. Now, Arquus will produce and deliver units of its renowned Bastion APC.
The Bastion is a 4x4 Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) vehicle designed and developed by the French company ACMAT, which became part of Arquus years ago. The vehicle is based on the chassis of the formidable ACMAT VLRA TDN/TDE all-terrain multi-role tactical vehicle.
In APC configuration, the Bastion has a crew of two including a driver and commander, and can accommodate up to eight infantrymen seated at the rear of the hull. The vehicle offers ballistic protection against the firing of small arms and artillery shell splinters. It also integrates a V-shaped monocoque hull made of high hardness armored steel, which enhances the survivability of the vehicle and occupants by deflecting an upward aimed blast from a landmine or IED away from the vehicle.
The roof of the Bastion can be equipped with different types of weapon stations armed with a machine gun up to 12.7mm caliber or a 40mm automatic grenade launcher.
The Bastion APC is motorized with a 5.0L turbo diesel intercooler engine developing 215 hp at 2,300rpm coupled to either manual or automatic transmission. It can run at a maximum road speed of 110 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 1,000 km.
