folytatás:
Why Romania would be building two types of wheeled armored personnel carriers? The answer to this question depends on four variables: standardization, interoperability, availability and economics.
In 2006, Romania acquired 31
Piranha IIIC armored personnel carriers to be deployed in Afghanistan where it was discovered that the TAB series of APCs did not provide enough protection against improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
[29] However, the economic crisis and some trouble with the first two batches of vehicles meant that the program was delayed for a rather long period of time. Only in 2015, all 31 vehicles were delivered
[30] and another 12 derivatives were contracted.
[31]
Meanwhile, Romania’s domestic APC program was not making any progress either and a solution was needed to bridge the gap between the short term need of replacing some of the old APCs that were in service and the long term objective of producing modern APCs in Romania. Furthermore, in response to the Russian aggression in Ukraine, the United States has been stationing armored units on NATO’s Eastern Flank. Some of these units, such as the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, are equipped with Stryker APCs
[32], which are in turn based on the
Piranha IIIC vehicle. Interoperability with the American forces deployed in Romania was therefore a must for any future acquisition.
Since 2006 when Romania acquired the first
Piranha APCs, the technical requirements and performance of wheeled APCs had increased and vehicles with better protection, mobility and firepower have been developed. Most modern wheeled APCs have the same degree of protection and firepower as infantry fighting vehicles. Furthermore, the Russian armed forces began an ambitious modernization program which saw the development of a new variant of the BTR-80, called BTR-82A and the development of a new type wheeled APC –
Bumerang.
The
Bumerang builds on the Russian experience in recent conflicts such as Chechnya, South Caucasus and Georgia. Furthermore, it partly draws inspiration from western 8×8 APCs, which the Russian armed forces got the opportunity to test before the onset of the Ukrainian crisis.
[33] Of particular concern for NATO mechanized infantry is the
Bumerang-BM turret-module which is equipped with the 2A42 30 mm automatic cannon and four anti-tank guided missiles.
[34] The turret can be retrofitted to older vehicles currently in Russian service as well as to newer ones. Moreover, the BTR-82A also comes equipped with its own 2A72 30 mm automatic cannon.
[35] The development of a new APC along with the modernization and upgrading older models represent an increase in capability for the Russian army in terms of firepower and protection that puts them on par with the latest NATO equipment.
[36]
Piranha V represents the solution that bridges the gap between urgently increasing the capabilities of Romania’s mechanized forces, standardization – though somewhat imperfect in this case (
Piranha V is a different vehicle than the
Piranha IIIC) and interoperability with Romania’s NATO allies. The
Piranha V is better protected than the American
Stryker vehicles while sporting the same armament and mobility. Furthermore, in keeping with current armored vehicles trends, it comes equipped with the
Orbital ATK Mk. 44 Bushmaster II 30 mm automatic cannon.
This type of cannon equips the latest variant of
Stryker APC, the
Stryker Dragoon, although in an improved variant, the XM813 that has a slightly longer barrel than the standard Mk. 44.
[37] The KTO
Rosomak APC, which is in service with Polish troops deployed in Romania, uses the same Bushmaster II cannon as the
Piranha V. The Bushmaster cannon is also superior to the Russian 2A42 and 2A72 automatic cannons that equip the
Bumerang APC and the more numerous BTR-82A/AM
APC, respectively. Although the Romanian Land forces have opted not to equip the
Piranha V with anti-tank missiles, its turret is capable of mounting a twin launcher for
Spike LR anti-tank guided missiles which are currently in service with the Romanian Army.
[38]
A downside to the
Piranha V APC is the lack of an amphibious capability due to its increased protection, but this is an acceptable compromise considering the developments on the modern battlefield and increased threat levels to lightly protected vehicles.
[39] Until now, all of Romania’s armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles had an amphibious capability, in line with Soviet military practice. Here is where the
Agilis project fits in, as this vehicle is planned to have an amphibious capability.
[40] This is one of the main reasons why this project has continued, despite the
Piranha V acquisition. Furthermore, the
Agilis program aims to develop a 4×4 variant of this APC which will be used for reconnaissance. The other reason has to do with maintaining an industrial capacity to design and produce wheeled APCs in Romania.
Nevertheless,
Agilis and
Piranha V will not share any components, even if they are produced locally. The engine, driveline, armor and the weapons are going to be different. This will raise serious logistical issues in the future when both vehicles will be in service, unless a very well thought out logistical system is put in place. Romanian planners are aware of the risk involved in this approach and, defense minister Gabriel Leș has indicated that the Agilis program may be the subject of a tender, casting doubt over the partnership with
Rheinmetall.
[41]
Maintaining the industrial capacity to build armored vehicles and armored personnel carriers is the other main reason why Romanian authorities went for a dual type acquisition for wheeled APCs. The two projects involve two different factories which have produced in the past armored vehicles.
Piranha V APC will be produced in partnership with GDELS at
UMB where main battle tanks used to be produced, while
Agilis will be produced in a joint venture with
Rheinmetall at
Automecanica Moreni.
In both cases the government is looking to integrate as much of the production as it is possible locally in order to revive the Romanian arms industry. For example, the Israeli company
Elbit has opened a production facility in Măgurele near Bucharest which will manufacture and assemble turrets for
Piranha V vehicles.
[42] Furthermore, Romania aims to become a regional arms supplier by exporting some of the weapons systems produced in Romania to its neighbors, which are also modernizing and updating their armed forces.