TSAMTO, June 17. The Venezuelan army is completing a program to modernize 78 light armored reconnaissance vehicles "Scorpion-90". At the moment, 75 armored vehicles have been restored.
This was announced on his Twitter page by the commander of the Army, Major General Domingo Antonio Hernandez Lares.
By information Infodefensa.com, The Scorpion-90 BRM was developed by the British company Alvis Vehicles Ltd. (now BAE Land Systems) for the export market based on the CVR(T) armored Vehicle (Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked)). A number of countries have acquired BRMS adapted to their requirements. In 1989, the Venezuelan Armed Forces purchased from Alvis 78 the Scorpion-90 BRM, armed with a 90-mm gun, four FV105 Sultan control vehicles and two FV-106 Samson BRAM. The Scorpion-90 variant was also adopted by the Malaysian Armed Forces.
Currently, an unspecified number of FV105 "Sultan" and FV-106 "Samson" (BRAM) armored vehicles belonging to the same CVR(T) family remain in service with the Venezuelan Armed Forces. They are also undergoing restoration. All equipment is in service with the 91st armored Cavalry brigade, located in the area of the locality of San Fernando (Apure).
Combat weight of the Skorpion-90 BRM – 8.07 t, length-5.28 m, width-2.13 m, height-2.10 m. The all-welded body is made of aluminum armor and provides protection for the crew in the frontal part from hitting 14.5-mm ammunition and the rest of the car - from 7.62-mm armor-piercing ammunition.
The British version of the "Scorpion" was equipped with a two-seat turret, armed with a single 76-mm gun. To the left of the main armament is a twin 7.62 mm L43A1 machine gun. On each side of the tower, 66-mm quadruple PU smoke grenades are installed.
The Skorpion-90 BRM is armed with a 90-mm Cockerill Mk.3M-A1 cannon, and can fire armor-piercing sub-caliber feathered projectiles with a detachable pallet (APFSDS), which allow you to fight modern armored vehicles. The vehicle is equipped with a Thales (Taunton) fire control system, including a laser rangefinder and Thales AFV Systems periscopes. The BRM is equipped with a 5.9-liter Cummins BTA diesel engine with a capacity of 190 hp, which allows you to reach a speed of 72.5 km / h, a fuel reserve of 756 km. The crew consists of a driver, a gunner, and a commander.