Turkey reacted very calmly to information about a contract for the sale of 76 AAV-7A1 armored assault vehicles of various modifications and related equipment to Greece. The reason is that…
The vehicles in the possession of the US military will be delivered to Greece at a fairly low cost and are expected to be received shortly. What is the reason for such generosity?
“After a fatal accident in 2021, the US Marine Corps decided to withdraw armored vehicles (AFVs) from amphibious operations and use them only in emergencies, which is more due to the emergence of new AFVs in the US Army, despite the impossibility of conducting operations with the AAV-7A1 (AAV7), the USMC said in a statement.”
“Greece continues its arms shipments from the US and EU. Finally, the US approved the sale of the AAVP-7A1 airborne assault vehicle for $268 million at the request of Greece. In total, Greece will receive 76 landing vehicles, ”the Turkish defense website emphasizes. sammunasanayist.com.
“The delivery includes 63 AAVP-7A1s in armored personnel carrier configuration, nine AAVC-7A1s in command configuration and four AAVR-7A1 vehicles in rescue configuration. In addition, 63 12.7-mm machine guns and thermal imaging systems will be delivered along with the vehicles.
“The Greek army is being equipped with 40-year-old decommissioned American equipment, and the Turkish army is being equipped with modern equipment produced by the Turkish defense industry,” the Turkish website caustically notes.
According to the Turkish publication, the command of the Turkish Navy is preparing to receive ZAHA armored landing vehicles this year, developed with national funds. The delivered vehicles will be used as part of the TCG ANADOLU landing craft. Thanks to ZAHA, who will be on TCG ANADOLU, “during a possible amphibious operation, landing on land will be possible. With 23 ZAHA, it will be possible to transfer a detachment of 483 + 69 people to the shore, ”the Turks emphasize.
Before Greece started buying AAV7, in The Greek Ministry of Defense considered all the pros and cons of this technique. ΝεmesisHD considered these arguments.
Although the average age of AAVs is as high as 40 years, the armored amphibious vehicles have gone through a life extension program, a refurbishment and reliability, availability and maintainability program, as well as planned maintenance cycles at the factory throughout their lifetime. The delivery package includes spare parts, training, literature, additional armor, technical support, transportation to Greece and, most importantly, ongoing support (FOS). nemesishd. The United States has stated several times that the vehicle remains reliable, its exclusion from amphibious operations is more due to the emergence of a new type of ACV amphibious combat vehicle.
Historical reference
When AAV7 were developed
In March 1964, the US Marine Corps requested a new landing craft to replace the LVT-5. After considering a number of proposals from various companies, the defense division of FMC Corporation (now part of BAE Systems) won the contract. The development of the AAV-7 and the first work began in February 1966and the first 15 prototypes were delivered to the Marine Corps for testing in September 1967.
These prototypes were named LVPTX12 (Experimental Tracked Landing Vehicle for Personnel Model 12). In September 1969, prototype testing was completed and successful, so that in June 1970 a final order worth $78.5 million was placed with FMC Corporation. Under this order, 942 AAV7 amphibious armored vehicles without combat modules were manufactured.
When were AAVs built?
Amphibious armored vehicles of the AAV type are a replacement for the LVTP-5s that actually fought in Vietnam, originally called LVTP-7s, they began to enter the United States Army in 1972.
In 1982, FMC was directed to conduct the LVTP-7 Life Extension Program (SLEP), which converted all LVTP-7s to AAV7s (AAV-7A1s) by adding an improved engine, transmission, and weapon system to improve maintainability.
From 1989 until around 1997-98, the vehicles underwent several upgrades both in their armor and combat power, as several M2 Bradley parts were installed on them.
What missions can they perform
Although this vehicle has several uses, the main purpose of the AAV-7 is to move Marines from landing craft to shore to form a beachhead. Armament of the AAV-7 is only sufficient against infantry and light armored vehicles, so fleet amphibious support and air support are essential for large-scale landings.
AAV-7A1. The vehicle is capable of carrying up to 21 fully equipped Marines in addition to the driver, crew commander/vehicle commander and gunner.
What weapons carry AAV
The AAV carries a turret equipped with a 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun (0.50 caliber) and a 40mm Mk19 automatic grenade launcher.
Didn’t the US Armed Forces decommission them?
Yes and no, after a fatal accident last year, the US Marine Corps decided to withdraw amphibious armored vehicles (AFVs) from amphibious operations and use them only in emergency operations with AAV-7A1 (AAV7).
More Stories
Today the world remembers the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant
A trial has begun in the case of a fatal accident involving Dora Bakoyanni's car.
Poll: which European countries are ready to defend their homeland to the last