Belgian Defense Minister Steven Vandeput unveils new FOX vehicle for Special Operations Forces 11807162

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Defence & Security News - Belgium
 
Belgian Defense Minister Steven Vandeput unveils new FOX vehicle for Special Operations Forces.
Today, the Belgian Minister of Defense Steven Vandeput unveils a prototype of the new FOX vehicle which will enter in service with the Belgian Special Forces Group (SFG) and the airborne troops of the Belgian Army. The FOX will increase the mobility, fire power and protection of the new Special Force Support Group (SFSG) and the Special Forces Group (SFG).
     
Today, the Belgian Minister of Defense Steven Vandeput unveils a prototype of the new FOX vehicle which will enter in service with the Belgian Special Forces Group (SFG) and the airborne troops of the Belgian Army. The FOX will increase the mobility, fire power and protection of the new Special Force Support Group (SFSG) and the Special Forces Group (SFG).Belgian Minister of Defense Steven Vandeput at the front of the new FOX vehicle for Special Operations Forces.
     
According to the new strategic plan of the Belgian Defense published in June 2016, the two current airborne battalions will be transformed into Ranger's battalions to offer new SOF (Special Operations Forces) capabilities under the control of a Belgian Special Operations Command.

A total of 108 FOX vehicles will be delivered to the Special Forces Group and the two ranger battalions, with deliveries completed in April 2018. This purchase represents an investment of €23 million.

The FOX vehicle is designed and manufactured by the British Company Jankel based on a 4x4 Toyota LandCruiser 79 chassis. For Belgium, the FOX will be available in two configurations with a total of 48 command and liaison vehicles and 60 reconnaissance vehicles.
     
Today, the Belgian Minister of Defense Steven Vandeput unveils a prototype of the new FOX vehicle which will enter in service with the Belgian Special Forces Group (SFG) and the airborne troops of the Belgian Army. The FOX will increase the mobility, fire power and protection of the new Special Force Support Group (SFSG) and the Special Forces Group (SFG).
     
The command and liaison vehicle will be armed with one 7.62mm machine gun while the reconnaissance vehicle will be armed with one 12.7mm heavy machine or one H&K 40mm automatic grenade launcher on the top of the vehicle, and one 7.62mm machine on a swivel station on the right side.
 
 

Belgium has also acquired a total of 38 removable armour kits to increase the protection of the vehicle against firing of small arms and mine blast STANAG 4569 Level 1. (Firing of small arms 7.62mm NATO caliber at 30 meters , shell splinters at 100m and hand grenades, unexploded artillery fragmenting submunitions, and other small anti personnel explosive devices detonated under the vehicle)

The FOX can accommodate four crew members with commander and driver at the front and two crew members in the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle uses an open top architecture with a tubular superstructure mounted on the chassis. It can run at a maximum speed of 140 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 1,200 km. The FOX vehicle is fully air transportable by CH-47 Chinook helicopter.