IFVs to lead the European armoured vehicles market
Although demand for main battle tanks (MBTs) has marginally declined since the end of the Cold War, countries such as the UK, France and Germany are investing in IFVs. Nandini Ghosh, analyst at SDI, says: “These countries participate in peacekeeping missions which require a transition from heavy armoured vehicles to medium and light platforms with high levels of protection and interoperability.” With large scale projects in Europe, such as Russia’s BMD-4M and Kurganets 25 development, France’s VBCI, Germany’s Puma and the UK’s Armored Scout vehicles procurement programme, the region will account for the largest spending in the global IFV market over the next ten years.
Growing migration from tracked to wheeled platforms
SDI also expects a growing trend of migration from tracked platforms to wheeled platforms in the armoured vehicle market over the next decade.
Historically, heavy armoured vehicles such as MBTs and IFVs have been built on wheeled platforms, while tracked vehicles have been used for light reconnaissance or armed area control operations. However, more recently several European countries have been procuring wheeled platforms to replace their existing tracked heavy armoured vehicles.
“Wheeled vehicles are growing in popularity due to their superior mobility and light weight which results in improved combat capability in a battlefield,” says Nandini. “Additionally, wheeled vehicles require lower operational and maintenance costs while ensuring a longer operational life.” Some of the countries currently investing in tracked vehicles include France, which is purchasing 2000 LMVs for US$5.7 billion, and Russia, which is procuring BTR-82A advanced 8x8 APCs and Boomerang 8x8 armoured vehicles.
