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Nexter Aravis
The Aravis is an Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle developed and built by French company Nexter. An order for 15 Aravis vehicles was placed by the Délégation Générale pour l'Armement in April 2009 for use by the French Army as a reconnaissance and escort vehicle for engineer units. Deliveries for the initial order began in January 2010.[1][unreliable source?] DesignThe Aravis' chassis is based on the Unimog U5000 chassis. The total internal volume for the vehicle is 9.5m3 with 8m3 of that under full armoured protection. The Aravis can be equipped for a variety of roles, including patrol vehicle, ambulance, and command and control vehicle.[1] ProtectionThe Aravis was designed with protection against mines, improvised explosive devices, 14.5mm anti-armour rounds, and 155mm artillery bursts in mind, meeting full STANAG 4596 Level 4 specifications. Like many other mine-protected vehicles, the Aravis was built with a V-hull intended to deflect as much energy as possible from detonations beneath the vehicle away from the vehicle. Nexter has patented the modular hull armour used on the Aravis under the name "Safepro". The vehicle has survived detonations of 50 kg (110 lb) of TNT at a distance of 5 m (16 ft) in testing.[1][2] ArmamentThe Aravis' primary armament is housed in a remote weapon station. Armament can vary based on the customer's specifications, but the vehicle has been displayed with a Selex 12.7mm machine gun mount, and Nexter has developed the ARX 20 remote weapon station, which features a 20mm M621 cannon, for use with the Aravis. The ARX 20 can also be fitted with the Pilar anti-sniper system.[1][2] MobilityThe Aravis is capable of speeds of up to 100 km/h on roads, and is said to have a "high standard of cross-country and urban maneoeuvring capability".[1] Without preparation, the vehicle can ford up 1m of water. The Aravis uses are Michelin 365/80R 20 152 K with run-flat and central tire inflation systems. In terms of strategic and operational mobility, the vehicle is transportable by aircraft equivalent to the C-130 Hercules or larger. Operational historyThe French Army deployed 11 Aravis in Afghanistan (from 2010 to the French departure)[3] and, from 2016, 6 of them in Mali, as part of the Operation Barkhane. In both cases they were used by Génie (Military engineering) units for route clearance.[4] An Aravis of the French Army was also spotted in Syria during the Deir ez-Zor campaign.[5] The Nexter Aravis is known to be used in the 2019 Gabonese coup d'état attempt by Gabonese Republican Guard forces to take on rogue Gabonese soldiers.[6] Operators
References
External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vehicule Blindé Haute Protection.
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