France
BMP AMX-10P of the French Armed Forces
For many years, the standard infantry fighting vehicle of the French army was the AMX-10P manufactured by Nexter. To meet the requirements of export customers, a specialized version has been developed, called AMX-10P Marines. They were sold to Indonesia (34) and Singapore (44) in various versions.
PLA landing vehicles
While the US Marine Corps canceled its EFV expeditionary combat vehicles ( see Part 1 ), China has moved forward and fielded a significant amount of such equipment. Indeed, they are already offered on the export market by the Chinese industrial corporation Norinco.
Tracked Marine Infantry Fighting Vehicle VN18
The basic version is called the VN18 tracked Marine combat vehicle. The crew consists of four people, consisting of a commander, a gunner, a loader and a driver, and carry 11 military personnel who can quickly leave the BMP via a ladder in the rear. The turret is armed with a 30 mm cannon and a 7.62mm twin machine gun. ATGM HJ-73D is installed on both sides.
The power plant consists of a 4-stroke water-cooled and turbocharged diesel engine developing 440 kW (598 hp) on land and 1176 kW (1598 hp) afloat. The maximum speed on land is indicated as 65 km/h. While afloat, the car is driven by two water cannons located on both sides of the rear, which provide a maximum speed of up to 25 km/h. The total weight of the machine is 28.5 tons. Before entering the water, bilge pumps are turned on, the trim blade in the front part of the hull is expanded and an adjustable hydropneumatic suspension is raised to reduce drag.
The Norinco VN16 tracked amphibious vehicle is equipped with a triple turret armed with a 105 mm cannon
The VN16 tracked amphibious infantry fighting vehicle has a body similar to the VN18. It is equipped with a triple turret armed with a 105 mm rifled cannon with low recoil, a paired 7.62 mm machine gun and a 12.7 mm machine gun mounted on the roof. Both vehicles have a welded aluminum body with overhead armor, which provides protection from small arms fire and shell fragments
Japan
Japan has acquired several AAV7A1S from the USA, but is now moving forward with the creation of its own AAV (more details ). In some respects, the design is similar to the American EFV. A number of test benches have already been completed. It is expected that the car will weigh about 40 tons, be equipped with a V-12 diesel engine with a capacity of 3000 hp and be driven afloat by water cannons. Other features will include a built-in suspension that can be lifted for amphibious operations, composite rubber tracks and a retractable front trim.
Other amphibious vehicles
Italian IDV has developed a floating wheeled armored personnel carrier VBA (Veicolo Blindato Anfibio), using internal research and development funding and based on the experience of operating its SuperAV 8×8 vehicles. Compared to them, VBA has increased buoyancy.
The power plant consists of an Iveco FPT ‘Curso’ 16 engine with a capacity of 700 hp, connected to an automatic transmission. Afloat, the machine is driven by two hydraulically driven screws, which, according to IDV, provide it with a maximum speed of 6 knots and the ability to work beyond the 3-point sea waves.
Italian VBA (8×8) with a swimming tube located above the engine compartment and two hydraulically driven screws
At the end of 2022, IDV received a contract providing for the supply of 36 VBA for the Italian Navy. They will be equipped with a remote-controlled Leonardo Hitrole weapon station with a 12.7 mm machine gun. According to IDV, it is assumed that this vehicle will strengthen the fleet of the San Marco Marine Brigade and effectively increase the national amphibious capabilities at sea.
Brazilian armored personnel carrier Guarani (6×6), side view. The propellers for swimming and the open aparelle in the rear part of the hull are visible
In addition to these specialized vehicles, some conventional IFVs are simply adapted for amphibious operations when needed, usually at the expense of additional buoyancy. Other IFVs have built-in amphibious capability. A typical example is the Brazilian Guarani (6×6), which has already been put into production for the domestic and export markets. In the water, they are driven by two screws mounted on the rear.
Protection of the coast
According to Western military experts, the days of well-protected beaches are long gone. The United States scrapped its coastal guns immediately after World War II, and the United Kingdom disbanded the coastal artillery in 1956, with the exception of a few guns defending the Strait of Gibraltar.
Swedish Coastal Artillery
The Nordic countries have invested heavily in stationary coastal artillery batteries. Finland, Norway and Sweden had stationary coastal guns, and the last two of them included 120 mm Bofors "Ersta" turrets. Denmark used older turret guns. Sweden had 20 batteries equipped with three 75-mm rapid-firing guns mounted on turrets, connected to a computerized fire control system with radar support. Currently, all of them are decommissioned.
Other countries have deployed truck-mounted coastal defense missile systems using MBDA Exocet and Otomat missiles, as well as the Swedish Saab RBS 15 and the American Harpoon. In the Falklands campaign, Argentina used Exocet missiles mounted on a trailer to damage the Royal Navy's County-class destroyer HMS Glamorgan.
Subsequently, the UK deployed Exocet missiles mounted on trailers to protect the Strait of Gibraltar. Subsequently, Spain assumed this role with its 155 mm towed artillery systems 155/52 APU SBT, optimized for coastal defense.
Some countries have also used other short-range missiles, such as the twin-shot Hellfire launcher, which is still used by Sweden. China and Russia have deployed coastal defense systems based on missiles as well as mobile guns.
PKR "Neptune" of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Ukraine has developed and deployed the Neptune coastal defense missile. The system installed on the truck is equipped with four missiles, which are brought into combat position. The missiles are equipped with an active guidance head mounted in the nose and are said to have a maximum range of more than 300 km.
Norwegian Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace initially developed its Naval Strike Missile for firing from surface ships. However, it is currently being sold for coastal defense operations. They include the use of the US Marine Corps, while the missiles are attached to a single light tactical vehicle.
Coastal Defense Missile System Naval Strike Missile
At the beginning of 2023, Romania ordered a version of the NSM coastal defense for a total of US$ 217 million. The contract provides for the supply of two batteries, each with four mobile launchers. In turn, each PU is equipped with four missiles mounted on an all-terrain truck. There is a command control system associated with them. Before the start, the guides are lifted.
According to the materials of the resource euro-sd.com
