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Combat & Survival 03


I am sure many readers will
have heard of the Thousand
Mile Screwdriver, which some
government officials use to
try to tinker with the fine
detail of an overseas military
operation rather than letting
the commander on the ground
get on with doing what they
judge to be necessary to
resolve a particular situation.
The term is regularly used
these days to describe political
or bureaucratic interference
in matters the ‘suits’ almost
certainly have less of a clue
about than those tasked to
get the job done speedily and
efficiently.
T
here was always a major element
of truth in the popular television
programmes Yes Minister and Yes
Prime Minister, but one suspects
that both only really scratched the sur-
face of the goings-on in Whitehall, where
these days News Management (i.e. Spin
Doctoring) has well and truly taken over
from what used to be known as Public
Information or Public Relations. Unfor-
tunately, when bureaucrats try to tinker
with the military news using even only a
125 Mile Screwdriver, rather than allow-
ing interested media to talk directly to
those officers and senior NCOs out on
the ground, there is a very real danger
that either the story will not get out there
or it will be badly garbled by a main-
stream media that has less understand-
ing than even the civil servants behind
their desks in distant London.
Floodwater sluices over the A361 between East Lyng and Burrow
Bridge on the Somerset Moors after the morning Spring Tide on 2nd
January - even Environment Agency vehicles had to make a 19 mile
detour to tend to emergency pumps just two miles apart
[Bob Morrison]
We saw this happening firsthand with
military involvement in the Somerset
Moors floods crisis in late January, when
shortly after breakfast on the morning
following the early evening discussions
of the COBR (Cabinet Office Briefing
Room) committee on 29th January,
when the Prime Minister sanctioned
military involvement if necessary, the
British Army had troops out on the
ground undertaking a recce to see what
assistance could be provided. As C&S
had picked up through our grapevine
that Royal Engineers from Devon-
based 24 Commando Regiment had
deployed, and one of us was just 45
minutes drive away, we put a call in to
the relevant desk at Whitehall seeking
information as to their whereabouts. It
had been our intention to provide on-
the-spot coverage just as we did for 1
AGRM when they mounted Operation
LANDSLIDE at Calstock earlier in the
month (see page 16).
Several hours later, with darkness falling,
we were eventually informed that a Press
Release would shortly be forthcoming.
We had previously asked who we could
contact in the operational area for more
focussed information but were told that
MoD Whitehall was the only point of
contact. When we spoke to an officer
closer to the scene who did know what
was going on he apologised profusely
and said that unfortunately, much as he
would like to help, he was not allowed to
discuss matters with the media because
Whitehall were handling this. As for that
Press Release, four days down the line
there is still no sign of it.
Comms
We have no problem dealing with the
civilians in the Defence Communications
team in Whitehall, who as individuals
are really nice people, but unfortunately
they are often at the end of one of
those Thousand Mile Screwdrivers and
either do not know precisely what is
going on at ground level or are not in
a position to discuss it with us as the
official ‘message’ has not yet been
sanctioned by those higher up in the
slow-moving bureaucracy. In the case of
the Somerset Floods it was very much
the wrong ‘message’ which surfaced
in the media, as those who watched
late night BBC current affairs coverage
and regional television footage on the
29/30th might have spotted.
For the record, unlike the ‘message’
three close friends in different parts
of the country relayed to me next day,
the military response to the crisis was
not: “Two majors turned up in a Land
Rover, looked at the mess, and then
drove away as there was nothing they
could do!” What really happened was
that: a large number of troops from
3 Commando Brigade were put on
standby to help; an offer to supply
specialist amphibious and high ground
clearance vehicles (plus according to
one source two hovercraft) was made, if
deemed needed; and a number of Army
Commandos with specialist engineering
and crisis management skills speedily
surveyed the area then reported back to
the Local Authority coordinators dealing
with the problem. The civil powers,
however, decided they did not require
help from the military at that particular
time.
For our next issue, bearing in mind
the agreement on closer defence
cooperation signed with France at
Brize Norton on 31st January, I would
really have liked to have covered
the Anglo-French training exercise
held at the French CENZUB complex
in January, but despite requesting
details from Whitehall no information
was forthcoming. Richard was also
interested in covering 3 Para dropping
into Corsica with the Foreign Legion (2e
REP) on Exercise BLUE LEGIONNAIRE
around the same time, but by the time
we heard what was happening it was too
late. A double facepalm moment? - BM
Combat & Survival 05
A Gurkha moves through a
clearing while grey smoke
from a grenade dissipates in British Army
the background - coloured
smoke would only be used
to mark a position for an
inbound helicopter

Combat & Survival 09

 British Army

T
he section of British Army soldiers Main Image: 1
moved silently through the gloom of Members of
the jungle, passing between trees Support Company,
and creepers, and nimbly climbing
over fallen logs. The blazing sun
1RGR, attend
overhead was completely blotted out by
a lesson in a
the omnipresent tree canopy high over makeshift ‘lecture
their heads, which both decreased the theatre’ in the
temperature and increased the humidity jungle - all British
at ground level. soldiers in Brunei
now wear Multi-
The soldiers perspired heavily in the tropical Terrain Pattern
conditions as they continued to reconnoitre. The (MTP) uniforms
jungle was almost silent as the birds and animals
sensed their presence and ceased making their
natural sounds. The distinctive patches on the
1: A sergeant
soldiers’ arms, as well as the long, curved knives
lectures his
hanging from their hips, identified them as Gurkhas. section on
methods of
Suddenly, the lead scout motioned the patrol to a jungle navigation
stop and the soldiers swiftly lowered themselves to - navigating in
a crouch with their automatic weapons at the ready. such a confined
Their eyes peered through the persistent gloom environment is
to catch sight of any imminent threat in this jungle perhaps one
in the Sultanate of Brunei. Meanwhile, the section of the most
commander made good use of the pause to check
his map and assess the patrol’s progress.
challenging skills
to acquire
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
The above was part of routine jungle training in Images ©
Brunei Darussalam, the Abode of Peace. After GORDON ARTHUR
an absence of four years, C&S was privileged to
revisit British Forces Brunei (BFB) in this Southeast
Asian nation. Part of our visit involved observing a
section from Support Company of the 1st Battalion,
The Royal Gurkha Rifles (1RGR) conducting
training in the jungle.

Gurkhas have been an integral part of the British

Army for 200 years, ever since the Gurkha War

10 Combat & Survival


(1814-16) when East India Company
soldiers were so impressed with their
bravery that they began recruiting them
as volunteers. As a consequence of the
loyalty and bravery they demonstrated
during the 1857 Indian Mutiny, the
Gurkhas were lifted from their hitherto
sepoy (native troop) status and afforded
parity of status with British troops in
the East India Company Army. True to
their motto of “Better to die than be a
coward”, Gurkhas have fought bravely
for the British all around the world.
Most recently, for example, 1RGR has
completed three six-month deployments
to Afghanistan – the first in 2007, a
second in 2010 and most recently a third
in 2012/13. Meanwhile, its sister battalion
(2RGR) has also completed numerous
deployments to Afghanistan too. For the
rest of the time, the two RGR battalions
alternate between Brunei and Folkestone
in the UK on approximately three-year
rotations. Both battalions retain the light
infantry role within the British Army’s
order of battle. 1RGR returned to Brunei
in 2013.
The Gurkhas have a strong historical
connection to Brunei. Despatched from
Singapore, Gurkhas were the first military
troops to respond during the Brunei
2
Main Image: The
section commander, a
corporal (historically
known as a naik
amongst Gurkhas)
consults his map
during a pause in
a jungle patrol -
navigation in jungles is
never easy Revolt of 1962, and this created an and the Bell helicopters of 7 Flight
important bond. Indeed, Sultan Omar Ali Army Air Corps; and Tuker Lines with
2: A soldier peers Saifuddien III, the father of the current the headquarters and resident Gurkha
through the SUSAT sultan, specifically requested Gurkhas battalion. These British camps are
sight of his 7.62mm be included in the resident British located in Seria, which is the main oil
GPMG (General garrison in his country. British troops and gas production centre of Brunei.
have thus been stationed in Brunei for The third site is Sittang Camp near
Purpose Machine Gun) around 40 years, even after the country Tutong, and it is used as a forward
- observe the crossed gained full independence in 1984. staging post for exercises.
kukri knives on his
shoulder patch As the host nation, Brunei allows the UK The location of Brunei provides several
to sustain a garrison in the south of the great advantages. There are a range
3: In the jungle, country. This is the UK’s last remaining of training opportunities that cannot
the standard head base in the Far East, 7,099 miles from be obtained at other British bases,
covering is the bush home! Brunei’s importance is thus principle among them being the thick
hat - however, helmets enormous, as is the close relationship jungles in the interior of the country.
and body armour sustained by both sovereign nations. Inland from the coast, Brunei features
pristine primary jungle that is ideal for
may be carried or The garrison comprises three sites. training. This accounts for the presence
worn when the threat Two are located approximately 100 of Training Team Brunei (TTB), which
warrants it (e.g. an kilometres from the capital. Bandar Seri C&S will examine in detail next month.
assault on an enemy Begawan: Medicina Lines containing Additionally, the resident Gurkha
position) support services, Training Team Brunei battalion has almost free rein to train
Combat & Survival 11
 British Army

A patrol of 1RGR
halts - the insides
of bush hats
belonging to recce
troops contain
a coloured band
that helps identify
them as friendly
soldiers when
returning from
patrols

4: The same machine throughout the Sultanate; something

gunner has set up his the commanders and soldiers
weapon on a fallen appreciate.
5 log - the patch on his Major Chris Boryer, the garrison’s
left shoulder looks Chief of Staff and second-in-command
like a red anchor of 1RGR, commented to C&S on
from a distance, but the importance of the garrison and
is actually the tactical the generosity of its Bruneian hosts:
recognition flash of “Brunei is the second home of the
the Brunei Garrison Royal Gurkha Rifles, and it provides
us with an unparalleled opportunity to
5: A squad reacts to a maintain our standing as the British
contact in the jungle - Army’s jungle warfare experts. Our
strong relationship with the highly
note muzzle flash from professional and capable Royal
the GMPG - following Brunei Armed Forces is central to all
the impact of ‘Options we do here and we prize it highly. The
for Change’ in the jungle is perhaps the most testing
1990s the Gurkhas of environments to soldier in; the
now have only two regular three-year tours of Brunei
battalions, 1RGR and that the battalion undertakes are of
2RGR immense value in maintaining the

12 Combat & Survival


high standards of military excellence
for which the Gurkhas are world
renowned.”
The primary mission of the Gurkha
battalion in Brunei is to contribute to
the deterrence of external threats to
Brunei, reinforcing the capabilities
of Brunei’s own armed forces. The
official statement states: “Through your
stationing in and active engagement
with Brunei and her authorities, you
are to contribute to the deterrence
of external threats to Brunei.” This
combination of UK and Bruneian
military combat power, continually
subject to ongoing improvement
and modernisation, has stood the
test of time as a successful military
partnership. British troops enjoy
a positive relation with the locals.
“They’re very friendly,” commented one
British officer.
Members of C Company, 1RGR, conduct training at the
Tutong firing range -although this is a Bruneian-owned
facility, the UK helps maintain it to strict standards
Th
h BFB
The BFB numbers
numb
umbers
bers approximately
appro
approxim
i ate
atel
t ly
ly 720
personnel but this figure reaches
personnel,
1,950 if family members are counted.
Of this total, 1RGR contains some
600 personnel. While Gurkha soldiers
originate from Nepal, a cadre of about
20 British officers currently serve in
the battalion. One of these officers,
Captain Tom Baker, remarked that the
Gurkhas are famed for their level of
marksmanship, attaining some of the
best skills in the whole of the British
Army.
In the wake of the powerful Typhoon
Haiyan, which shattered the central
Philippines in November 2013, 1RGR
conducted contingency planning
to ensure they would be ready, if
6
6: NNo
6: Note
ot the pace
ote called upon, to deploy to help with
counter attached to humanitarian assistance and disaster
the rifle of the soldier relief (HADR). In the event, Brunei-based
in the foreground - soldiers were not called upon, as the
competition to become Royal Navy instead sent the destroyer
a Gurkha is fierce HMS Daring and later the carrier HMS
with, on average, just Illustrious. Nevertheless, this illustrates
180 positions available one advantage of having British troops
annually in the selection permanently stationed in the Far East.
process
As well as their regular interactions
7: Gurkhas are famous with the Royal Brunei Armed Forces
for the kukri, a large (RBAF), the Gurkhas in Brunei also
18-inch curved knife occasionally train alongside other Asia-
featured on their Pacific nations. In 2014, for instance, a
regimental patch - in the company will deploy to New Zealand
past it was said a kukri, to exploit the training opportunities
once drawn in battle, presented by the terrain and climate of
had to ‘taste blood’ the South Island.
Combat & Survival 13
 Promotional Feature

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14 Combat & Survival

 Civil Assistance

CALSTOCK IS AN Main Image: The 1

HISTORIC CORNISH TIN only road into the
AND SILVER MINING lower western
VILLAGE ON THE NORTH portion of Calstock
BANK OF THE RIVER village on the north
TAMAR, CLOSE TO THE
BORDER WITH DEVON
bank of the River
AND A FEW MILES NORTH Tamar
OF PLYMOUTH, POPULAR
WITH TOURISTS IN 1: The first pair of
SUMMER BUT RELATIVELY four LCVPs - see
SLEEPY IN WINTER. January issue for
THE ISOLATED LOWER details - moored
WESTERN QUARTER OF to the village jetty
THE VILLAGE IS SERVED while awaiting the
BY A SINGLE NARROW tide to turn
ROAD RUNNING JUST
INLAND FROM THE
TIDAL RIVER, NESTLING 2: As the LCVP was
LIKE THE THIRTY OR designed to accept
a Land Rover

O
SO HOUSES FORMING
n Christmas Day disaster struck
THIS PART OF THE timber baulks had 2
the community when a landslip,
COMMUNITY IN THE LEE to be used to load caused by over-saturation of the
OF THE STEEPLY SLOPING cars with minimal hillside as a result of the excessive
VALLEY SIDE INTO WHICH ground clearance rainfall afflicting the Southwest this
PAST GENERATIONS OF
winter, caused the collapse of the one
MINERS BURROWED Images © way in and out for vehicles. Around
FOR MINERALS BOB MORRISON: forty cars and vans were subsequently
SUBSEQUENTLY SHIPPED Military Scene trapped on the wrong side of the gap
DOWN THE TAMAR.
unless noted and as initial estimates were that it

16 Combat & Survival


could take as much as a year to
rebuild the hillside and reinstate the
road, locals were stuck with no way
of driving to work and visitors had to
go home after the Christmas holiday
without their cars.
Then a ten year old boy had a
brainwave. Call in the Marines!
Operation LANDSLIDE, as 1
Amphibious Group Royal Marines
named their mission, truly did start
out in response to a suggestion
from schoolboy Charlie Southcott,
whose mum’s car was one of
the vehicles trapped by the road
collapse. He suggested his idea to
a local councillor then passed on a
Royal Navy commodore’s business
card, picked up at a carol service,
and when 1AGRM returned to their
Devonport base after Christmas leave
they swung into action to mount a
rescue mission.
By sailing four of the LCVP (Landing
Craft Vehicle Personnel) fleet, used
by Boat Troop for training courses, up
the Tamar they were able to operate
a ferry service from the small slipway
3
Main Image: Once
loading procedures
had been established
a speedy turnaround
ferry service
commenced [Crown
Copyright: LA(Phot)
Joel Rouse]
3: The operation
provided an ideal
training opportunity for
the landing craft teams
due to the varied nature
of the vehicles being
at Calstock Boatyard downriver to and personnel by landing craft on
recovered Cotehele Quay on the National Trust and off beaches and slipways like
estate. In addition to recovering the this. We do this for combat scenarios
4: The fast-flowing civvy vehicles, the Commandos and and for disaster relief and similar
rising tide and tricky supporting sailors also brought in humanitarian reasons worldwide.
river currents also fuel and fresh water for the villagers This is not strictly a humanitarian
provided good training as well as a small van-based truck issue, but it is a great opportunity to
opportunities for the to allow Cornwall County Council put our skills to good use – helping
landing craft coxswains contractors to distribute the supplies. the community on our doorstep and
also helping refine the results of our
Speaking on the slipway, Colonel training.“
5: A civvy Land Rover is Garth Manger, Commanding Officer
reversed on - no need of 1 AGRM, said: “This kind of For more on the LCVP in its traditional
for timber ramps and operation is nothing new to the Royal role see the January ‘14 issue of
baulks this time Marines. We train to move vehicles C&S.
Combat & Survival 17
 Civil Assistance

6 Main Image: Weather 7

conditions were
atrocious ... but, as
the old saying goes, if
it ain’t raining - it ain’t
training!

6: In addition to taking
trapped civvy vehicles
out, the Royal Marines
ferried in fuel stocks
and supplies plus a light
truck to distribute them

7: Guided by NCOs, a
Commando carefully
drives the council 9
contractor’s vehicle off
the LCVP ensuring no
8 damage to front spoiler

8: This beautiful
condition 1967 Massey
Ferguson tractor was
also ferried back home
from Cotehele for one
of the villagers

9: The operation at
Calstock boatyard
slipway photographed
from a Royal Navy
Merlin [Crown
Copyright: LA(Phot)
Joel Rouse]

18 Combat & Survival

 TO ADDRESS URGENT Main Image: Of the 1
OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS 76 Coyote Tactical
CAUSED BY THE DEPLOYMENT Support Vehicles,
OF BRITISH FORCES TO IRAQ derived from the
AND AFGHANISTAN UNDER Supacat Jackal,
OPERATIONS HERRICK
AND TELIC, EQUIPMENT
which were
WORTH OVER £3.6 BILLION
procured with UOR
WAS PROCURED AND funds it is planned
RUSHED TO THE FRONT. that 71 will be
AMONG THIS WAS A LARGE transferred into
QUANTITY OF PROTECTED the core vehicle
MOBILITY VEHICLES. ON fleet of the British
THE 16TH DECEMBER 2013 Army
IT WAS CONFIRMED BY THE
PARLIAMENTARY UNDER- 1: Like the Jackal
SECRETARY OF STATE FOR
DEFENCE, PHILIP DUNNE,
High Mobility
THAT SOME 2,000 OF THESE
Weapons Platform,
WILL BE INTEGRATED INTO the Coyote Tactical

R
THE CORE VEHICLE FLEET OF Support Vehicle is ight at the beginning of the British In Afghanistan and Iraq this kit had to
THE BRITISH ARMY. IN THIS a heavily armed deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq be used in deserts and mountainous
ARTICLE WE SUM UP SOME OF gunship but it also capability gaps became obvious. On terrain, under harsh environmental
THE DETAILS REVEALED SO offers the capability account of its long term involvement conditions with extreme heat and
FAR ABOUT WHICH VEHICLES to transport in Northern Ireland, the British Army had a lot of fine dust, as well as in vast
WILL BE KEPT, RATHER THAN additional a lot of practical experience in fighting operational areas where long distances
CAST, AND HOW THEY WILL equipment and a counter-insurgency, plus it owned the had to be regularly covered. The kit,
BE EMPLOYED BUT FIRST LET kit to do so, but most of this equipment and especially the vehicles in service,
US TAKE A QUICK LOOK BACK
supplies
had been designed for use on the streets were just not designed for this. The
BEFORE WE TAKE CONSIDER of Ulster in a rather confined area of Land Rover 110 Defender Composite
CURRENT AND FUTURE operations and in an essentially mild Armour Vehicle (CAV) or 'Snatch', for
DEVELOPMENTS. Western European climate. example, performed extremely well in

20 Combat & Survival

Northern Ireland. It was designed as
an urban patrol and crowd-and-riot
control vehicle which could provide
its occupants with protection from
small-arms fire, fragmentation from
nail bombs and projectiles such as
stones and bottles. It even offered
cross-country capabilities, allowing
it to venture off-road occasionally if
necessary.
In contrast to this, in Afghanistan the
vehicles were employed on patrols
where most of the time was spent
driving on bad tracks or even totally
off-road. Due to the nature of these
patrols, the vehicles were often
loaded up to and well beyond their
limits. On top of this they had to cope
with environmental extremes. This
cumulation resulted in accelerated
wear and tear. In addition, the vehicles
only offered limited protection if they
struck a large IED or were engaged
with machineguns and shoulder-
launched anti-tank weapons.
Although the Land Rover 110 Defender
XD Wolf FFR WMIK (Weapons Mount
Installation Kit) had the required cross-
country capabilities, and proved itself
well as a patrol and fire support vehicle
well suited for long-range patrolling, it
completely lacked ballistic and mine
protection; though in time upgraded
protection was fitted. Another vehicle
initially available was the Saxon AT105
wheeled APC (armoured personnel
carrier) which had been designed
during the Cold War as a means of light
armoured transport to deploy troops by 2
road from the UK to Germany in the case
of a Warsaw Pact attack. It had also been
designed for use mainly the paved roads
of Central Western Europe, and it therefore
was not really suited for patrolling off-road
in southern Afghanistan.
Another problem encountered post-2003
was that any suitable vehicles that were
available had to be divided between the
those UK Forces deployed to Afghanistan
and those deployed to Iraq. Due to the
stabilisation and peace support nature of
the ISAF mission, politicians regarded the
deployment of a large number of tracked Main Image: Under 3
vehicles to Afghanistan as too aggressive the Army 2020
and they thus ruled it out. Tracked vehicles structure, within
also require a much larger logistic footprint the Adaptable Force
that would have resulted in logistical
three Light Cavalry
issues, whereas wheeled vehicles are less
intimidating and have a greater range, a
Regiments will be
higher top speed and a lower maintenance equipped with
burden. Jackal 1,2 or 2A
model High Mobility
INITIAL SOLUTION Weapons Platforms the equipment is retained unsupported
As a first measure to solve these vehicle until it is no longer usable and then is
issues, equipment in service was modified 2 & 3: A total of disposed off.
ad hoc and fitted with add-on armour 441 Jackal High
packages and mine protection kits. While Judging that the equipment is effective
Mobility Weapons
these measures resulted in a decent Platforms should on the operation but offers no long term
degree of protection for vehicle occupants, benefits is another option. In this case
enter the core
they also increased the operational weight the equipment is supported for the
of the vehicles. This in turn resulted in
vehicle fleet with length of the operation, with funds being
reduced cross-country capabilities as well the bulk of them drawn from the Conflict Prevention
as additional wear and tear. being employed Fund. With the end of the operation the
with equipment is then disposed off.
With the threat level rising, and the reconnaissance
fighting getting more and more intense assets of the Finally it might be judged that
in both theatres (which led to sky- British Army the capability of the equipment is
Combat & Survival 21
 effective on the current operation and Main Image: 4
furthermore offers sufficient potential It has been stated
to influence the outcomes of future that 169 Ridgback
deployments. If this is the case, after Protected Patrol
a more in-depth review it could be Vehicles, a variant
integrated into the core equipment of
the British Army.
of the Force
For the length of the operation the
Protection Inc.
Project Team now has to both plan Cougar MRAP
how the equipment is supported and designed for the
consider how it might be after the end USMC, are
of the operation. Funds for supporting earmarked for
the equipment in this case are drawn service with the
from the Conflict Prevention Fund up core vehicle fleet
to the end of the deployment and after
that from the coffers of the Ministry of
Defence. 4: Some 50% of
Ridgback Protected
2,000 PROTECTED Patrol Vehicles in
MOBILITY VEHICLES the Troop Carrier
Together with the statement made 5
on the 16th December 2013 by the
Vehicle Protected Patrol Vehicles; 169 Ridgback

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

for Defence that some 2000 Protected
Mobility Vehicles, procured with UOR
funds, would be integrated into the
core equipment of the British Army he
also announced that £1.5 billion had
been allocated for proper integration
into the core vehicle fleet and future
support. Some details about which
types of Protected Mobility Vehicles and
how many of each will be integrated
into the core vehicle fleet of the British
Army were also revealed, with him
mentioning that the total included : 71
Coyote Tactical Support Vehicle – Light;
325 Husky Tactical Support Vehicle
– Medium; 441 Jackal High Mobility
Weapons Platforms; 439 Mastiff
configuration are Protected Patrol Vehicles; and 60 Warthog
fitted with the Selex Armoured All-Terrain Vehicles.
Galileo Limited In the December 2013 issue of DESIDER
Enforcer Remote – the in-house magazine published by the
Controlled Weapon MoD's Defence Equipment and Support
Station (DE&S) organisation - in addition to this it
was announced that 125 of the Wolfhound
5: The Ridgback Tactical Support Vehicle – Heavy will
Protected Patrol also be integrated into the British Army's Army 2020 structure for a duration of at
core vehicle fleet . It was also stated that least one decade. After their return from
Vehicle has been
procured in together with these vehicles a range of Afghanistan, and prior to being issued to
auxiliary equipment will be integrated into the units that will own them, the vehicles
Command Vehicle core, including mine rollers, emergency will be repaired and brought to unit entry
and Battlefield lighting and egress equipment. standard by mechanics at the Herrick
Ambulance variants Exchange Point facility in Warminster.
in addition to the It looks like it is planned that the Protected
Troop Carrier Mobility Vehicles will form the backbone of Some vehicles will also be put through
Vehicle seen here the British Army's patrol capability under the individual upgrade programmes. For

22 Combat & Survival


6 7
example, modifications carried out
on the vehicles will bring them in line
with standards required by UK traffic
regulations. In some cases vehicles will
also be kitted out for different roles in
order to meet requirements of the Army
2020 structure.
ARMY 2020 STRUCTURE
But where will those Protected Mobility
Vehicles to be integrated into the core
vehicle fleet be employed under the
Army 2020 structure? Some details
about the fielding can be gleaned from
the Army 2020 Report, issued in July
2013.
Under the new structure each of the
three Armoured Infantry Brigades of
the Reaction Force will be able to field
one Heavy Protected Mobility Battalion,
equipped with Mastiff PPVs. Three rifle
companies of these battalions will each
be able to muster 14 Mastiff PPVs. In
the report it is stated that the battalions
in question will be: 4th Battalion, The Rifles
based in Aldershot; 1st Battalion, Scots
Guards, also based in Aldershot; and
The Highlanders, 4th Battalion The Royal
Regiment of Scotland based in Catterick.
A large number of the Protected Mobility
Vehicles will also be employed by the
so-called Adaptable Force. This formation
includes seven Infantry Brigades which
muster three Light Cavalry Regiments
equipped with Jackal High Mobility
Weapons Platforms. Each of these
regiments will also include three Sabre
Squadrons each equipped with 16
Jackal High Mobility Weapons Platforms.
The regiments will be: the Royal Scots
Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys)
based at Leuchars; the 1st The Queen's
Dragoon Guards based at Swanton
Morley; and the Light Dragoons based at
Catterick.
The Adaptable Force will also include
six Light Protected Mobility Battalions
The latest variant of the Mastiff that has been procured by the
British Army is the Mastiff 3 PPV - variants of the 6x6 sibling to
Ridgback include a Troop Carrier Vehicle and a EOD Team Vehicle
which will be equipped with the
6: Within the Army Foxhound Light Protected Patrol
2020 structure three
Vehicles. The Foxhound development
Heavy Protected and procurement started initially as
Mobility Battalions will an UOR programme project but at an
be equipped with the early stage became a core equipment
Mastiff 1, 2 or 3 procurement project. To address Urgent
marks of the 6x6 PPV Operational Requirements caused by the
deployment of British forces to Iraq and
7: In addition to Afghanistan under Operations HERRICK
Protected Mobility and TELIC, equipment worth over £3.6
billion was procured and rushed to the
Vehicles specialist front. Among this was a large quantity of
auxiliary equipment Protected Mobility Vehicles. On the 16th
will be integrated into December 2013 it was confirmed by the
core, including mine Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State
rollers, as on this for Defence, Philip Dunne, that some
Mastiff, emergency 2,000 of these will be integrated into the
lighting and egress core vehicle fleet of the British Army. In
equipment this article we sum up some of the details
revealed so far about which vehicles will
be kept, rather than cast, and how they
Images ©
will be employed but first let us take a
CARL SCHULZE quick look back before we take consider
current and future developments.
Combat & Survival 23
 7 8

7: The Wolfhound Tactical Support Vehicle – Heavy is based on the

Mastiff PPV - it is planned that 125 of the Wolfhound TSV–H will
enter the core vehicle fleet of the British Army
8: The Wolfhound TSV–H can be used for various support tasks -
for example as resupply vehicle or, as seen here, as an armoured
prime mover for the L118A1105mm Light Gun

9 10

9: The Husky Tactical Support Vehicle – Medium was procured to

replace the Pinzgauer TUM(HD) and the Pinzgauer-based Vector
LPPV - Utility , Command, and Heavy Weapon variants are in service
10: In total some 325 of the Husky Tactical Support Vehicle –
Medium, derived from the US-designed Navistar / International
MXT-MVA, should also enter the core vehicle fleet

11 12

11: The Warthog Armoured All-Terrain Vehicle, fielded in

Afghanistan from October 2010, was procured in Troop Carrier
Vehicle, Command Vehicle, Ambulance and Repair and Recovery
Vehicle variants
12: Some 100 Warthog Armoured All-Terrain Vehicle were
procured with UOR funds and according to the Minister at least 60
of these will be integrated in to the core vehicle fleet

24 Combat & Survival

UK Equipment News

Combat & Survival 27

 UK Equipment News

The UK Ministry of Defence Above: The new

has just shelled out over Laser Light Module
£50 million on new night can be used in
vision and laser equipment daylight with or
plus lightweight binoculars
without optical
to enable troops to spot
potential threats earlier
sights as well as
and to better protect in low light or even
themselves against the total darkness in
enemy during day and night conjunction with the
operations. In mid-January, Head Mounted Night
as the first of the new Vision System
lasers and binoculars were
being issued to frontline Right: Right: The
troops, C&S was invited to new Steiner 8x30R
join the Infantry Trials &
Military LSBC (Land
Development Unit on the
ranges at Warminster to
System Binocular
try out the new laser for Capability) optics
ourselves and then shown are replacing
soldiers undertaking room the old and much rifle able to illuminate targets out to 800
clearances using head- heavier Avimo metres distant, which will be issued
mounted night vision L12A1 7x42 binos to all infantry soldiers. The HMNVS,
devices and laser modules which has seen operational service
in a darkened urban training Images © in both Iraq and Afghanistan, is the
facility. Bob Morrison : AN/PVS-14 Monocular Night Vision
Military Scene

F
Device manufactured by ITT Exelis,
rom the top down, the new the binoculars are the Steiner Military
package consists of: four 8x30R (supplied by GMK of Hampshire)
thousand additional sets of and the Laser Light Module Mk.3 is the
Head Mounted Night Vision Vario-Ray from Rheinmetall Defence.
Systems (HMNVS), procured
specifically for the Army Reserve; When the Minister for Defence
fifteen thousand pairs of new Equipment, Support and Technology,
lightweight and ergonomic Philip Dunne, visited ITDU at Warminster
binoculars, purchased to be used to see the new kit in action he stated:
alongside upgraded laser light “The ability to see further and in more
units; and a state-of-the-art laser detail will allow British troops to stay one
light module for the SA80A2 assault step ahead of danger. The multi-million

28 Combat & Survival

pound investment makes clear the
MoD’s commitment to equipping our
Armed Forces, including Reservists,
with world-class battle-winning
technology. These binoculars, laser
aimers and night vision goggles will
improve situational awareness and
reduce collateral damage across the
battlefield.”
The HMNVS is, of course, a well-
proven bit of kit which many of our
military and ex-military readers will
be familiar with, but when used
in conjunction with the new laser
light module aiming device it will
give the infantry section greater
capability in low light / no light
operational conditions. As part of the
demonstration, before going out onto
the firing ranges to shoot with the
laser, C&S was given the opportunity
to walk through ‘the warehouse’
at ITDU in darkness, observing a
pair of infantrymen clearing rooms
containing targets using HMNVS in
conjunction with the new LLM3. We
were very impressed.
As for the new 8x30 binos, which
replace the Land Service Binocular
7x42 L12A1 manufactured by
Avimo, they are 50% lighter than their The new Laser
predecessor and their shape makes Light Module Mk.3
them easier to hold but they still offer from Rheinmetall
excellent magnification. In service is their Vario-
with many NATO nations, the R suffix
Ray model. Is
denotes that this is the model with the
military reticule.
is replacing the
heavier and lesser
The LLM3 (Vario-Ray) is also much range (black)
lighter than its predecessor, the LLM01, LLM01. The yellow
weighing less than 250 grammes, but it lead is for training
also offers significantly more range with purposes to
its red spot being capable of illuminating ensure the laser
a target at 800 metres distance. This is only operated
means that not only can it be used for in eye-safe mode
both close quarters combat, where
when training and
accurately shooting from the hip is
possible without the need to first obtain
the brown lead
a sight picture and for normal infantry is for operational
range engagements of around 300 use. A white light
metres, but section sharpshooters can torch is mounted
also use it with confidence out to nearly underneath as part
half a mile in total darkness. of the system to impossible when a tracer round needed
complement the to be fired to identify the target to other
One of the major benefits of equipping visible red laser soldiers. As every member of the infantry
infantry sections with a medium to long and infrared laser section or multiple on operational
range laser light modules and helmet deployments will be equipped with LLM3
functions
mounted night sights is that at night a and HMNVS, any one of the team can
spotter can silently but accurately mark now become a spotter and use their
a distant target for the entire section PRR (Personal Role Radio) to alert their
and then call down massed fire to colleagues precisely where to bring fire
achieve total surprise in a way that was to bear in total darkness.
Combat & Survival 29
 UK Equipment News

Above: To quote
MoD photographer
Andrew Linnett,
who with my
camera grabbed
this shot of me
shooting from the
hip using the LLM
Mk.3 on SA80A2:
“That was a truly
frightening sight!”
Thanks mate.
However after two
near misses I put
my third and fourth
rounds (right photo
- circled in red) on
target courtesy of
the laser despite
my very poor
eyesight
Left: The HMNVS is
already in service
but a large quantity
of additional units In addition to the standard
has been procures functions the LLM3 Vario-
for Reservists - I Ray features an integrated
took the green shot electronically focusable infrared
inside the darkened illuminator as well as an IFF
(Identification Friend or Foe)
indoor range by laser. The unit incorporates a high
simply placing the intensity (100m in darkness) 8-Watt
night vision device white light lamp and runs off just
against the lens of two 3-Volt batteries.
my camera
Unfortunately, due to the short
notice we were unable to get our
Firearms Tester, Greg Roberts,
down to Warminster in time for
the demo so yours truly had to
pick up a rifle for once. As I have
an astigmatic eye defect, as a
result of an industrial injury, I do
not usually shoot for C&S but
using the LLM3 even I was able to
achieve passable results shooting
from the hip.

30 Combat & Survival

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On September 11th 2012,
eleventh anniversary of the
terrorist attacks on New York
and Washington, the American
consulate in Benghazi was
stormed by a mob of angry,
armed Libyan militia. The
details of the attack remain
hazy, the perpetrators faceless
and accusations of denial and
cover-up have been all over
the media, permeating to the
highest levels of government.
The then US Secretary of State,
Hillary Clinton, jumped from the
hot seat to semi-retirement out
of the limelight with the tragic
events on that hot North African
night seemingly compromising
any future she might have in high
level politics. The fact that, at
the end of the violence, a United
States Ambassador and three
other diplomatic staff were dead
and a US diplomatic compound
left in shambles led to a lot
political bickering and finally to
concrete military decisions.
Elite Forces
Main Image: After
discussing each
other’s weapons and
tactics Legion (top)
and Marine snipers
spent several days
working together in
the field
1: The MV-22B
Osprey allows the
Marines of the SP-
MAGTF greater range
than a helicopter but A JOB FOR THE MARINES 2
it does not require a The Foreign Service Act of 1946
conventional runway provided for the formal and permanent
like a fixed wing use of US Marines as security guards
transport aircraft at embassies and diplomatic outposts
of the United States. This followed a
2: French long history of cooperation between the
Legionnaires stream US. State Department and the Corps.
from a USMC Osprey In the past there had been a number of deployed in US Embassies throughout
- the tiltrotor is situations where Marines have served the world; usually the size of a unit
replacing the CH-46 on special missions as couriers, guards is five enlisted Marines and a single
Sea Knight and has for embassies and legations, and to detachment commander.
seating for 24 combat protect American citizens in unsettled
infantrymen like its areas. Since then detachments of MSGs In response to the attack on the US
predecessor (Marine Security Guards) have been diplomatic facility in Benghazi, the
Combat & Survival 33
 Elite Forces
Legionnaire
infantry section
sharpshooter
armed with a
7.62mm FRF2
sniper rifle
provides landing
zone security for a
USMC Osprey
military began looking for a solution to
the increasingly dangerous extremist
element in North Africa and the threats
they pose to American interests in
the region. As the situation was most
likely to involve diplomatic facilities and
diplomatic personnel the Pentagon
looked to the Marines.
In April 2013 the Pentagon announced
the creation and deployment of a
USMC quick response force for North
Africa which would use the range
and speed of the Bell Boeing V-22
Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft to be able to
respond to similar events in the future.
The newly formed Special Purpose
Marine Air-Ground Task Force - Crisis
Response, or SP MAGTF-CR, is part
of USMC Forces Africa and has been
based at Moron Air Force Base in the
south of Spain; this putting them less
than a one hour flight to the African
continent and within range of the all of
North Africa, as well as a good part of
the continent’s volatile sub-Saharan
West coast.
COMBINING FORCES
The Crisis Response Group is basically
a quick response force whose job
is get an adequate number of men
and equipment to a crisis area and
control and/or defend a limited zone
until the situation can be defused or
until reinforcements arrive. Combat
elements of the group are mostly
comprised of Marines from the 2nd
Reconnaissance Battalion and the 1st
Marine Division from Camp Lejeune,
34 Combat & Survival
NC, with airlift being provided by the
Marine 162nd Tilt-Rotor Helicopter 3
Squadron.
The MV-22B Ospreys are organic to the
unit; this adds a significant capability
to the operations of SP-MAGTF Crisis
Response rarely found in other military
organisations of this type. Directly
supporting the Crisis Response forces,
the Ospreys provide quick deployment
to support potential crises over large
areas of US Africa Command. Their
range of intervention is greatly extended
by the refuelling capacities of the
two KC-130J Hercules tanker planes
permanently attached to the unit.
As it stands at the moment the 500
Marines and Navy personnel of the
Crisis Response Task Force could be
broken down as follows:-
• A reinforced infantry company of
about 175 Marines, containing sizeable
sniper units and with an emphasis on
reconnaissance and urban warfare.
• Six Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft and
two KC 130s, with flight crews and
maintenance personnel, totalling around
180 personnel.
• A Command Centre and Logistics and
Support of about 140 Marines and Navy
personnel.
3: Stationed at Morón de la recon. The rifle squads carry basically
The Crisis Response Force has a solid Frontera airbase, about 25 the same weapons as other Marine
support and logistics base with the miles or 40km south-east combat units: either the M16 or the M4
advantage of having its air transport, of Seville, the Marines of (basically designed around the M16
the MV-22B Ospreys, incorporated SP-MAGTF are less that 90 platform in a lighter, shorter version)
into the unit. The ground force is miles (145km) from North and the M27 automatic rifle, which is
about half combat rifle and half sniper/ Africa a 5.56 light machinegun which has
4 5
replaced the M249 SAW (Squad
Automatic Weapon). The sniper units
carry basically the same long range
weapons as their counterparts in other
Marine scout/sniper units.
A FRENCH CONNECTION
The Crisis Response Force is on
24/7 alert status, which means
that it should be operational and in
flight within six hours or less. But,
nevertheless, training still has to
continue. In October a group from the
Crisis Response Force flew from their
home base in the south of Spain for
a joint training exercise with the 2nd
Infantry Regiment (2nd REI) of the
famed French Foreign Legion who are
also stationed in the Mediterranean
region. Because of their principle
mission, the Marines who exercised
in France were only a contingent from
SP-MAGTF Crisis Response, as most
of the unit remained at Moron Air Base
in Spain, on constant alert.
A combat group of the MAGTF was
flown in to an airbase near Nîmes in
France, home of the 2nd REI. They
were accompanied by an Osprey
tilt-wing aircraft and its crew, who were
to play an important role in the week’s
exercises. From the airport they were
shuttled out to Camp des Garrigues; a
military training centre frequently used
by the Legion.
Facilities at the centre include a number
of firing ranges for small arms as well
as mortar and machinegun ranges with
targets adapted to a variety of live fire
exercises. In another part of the camp
there is a combat village and a number
of buildings specially adapted to urban
warfare training.
MORE SIMILARITIES THAN
DIFFERENCES
For several days combat groups of
Legionnaires and Marines were set
up and began working together in a
number of tactical situations and on
live fire exercises, giving them the
opportunity to try out each other’s
weapons and to get to know each
other. There are over a hundred
and fifty different nationalities in the
Legion and the 2nd REI has its share.
Language could have been a problem
but a number of English-speaking
Legionnaires were present and all went
smoothly.
4: A mixed multiple As the infantry went through their
of US Marines specific training, the Legion and Marine
and Legionnaires snipers teamed up to do a similar
photographed exchange of weapons and tactics. They
following an urban spent several days working together
in the field and into the night as their
warfare exercise passion for their very specialised MOS
scenario at the led them into endless discussion.
French Camp des The Marine snipers were carrying the
Garrigues training Knights Arms 7.62mm M110, a semi-
facility automatic sniping platform with a 3x-15x
scope, as well as the Barrett .50 calibre
5: During the field sniper rifle, also in a semi-auto model.
exercises in France The Legion snipers were equipped with
the US Marines the FRF2 French manufacture 7.62mm
rifle, which is bolt action, as well as the
wore the temperate
.50cal Barrett, in both bolt and semi-
variant of MARPAR auto actions.
digital camouflage
and used their own The Crisis Response Force had never
weapons worked with the Legion before but
almost all the Marines I spoke with were
6: During the 7km impressed by how similar the Legion
obstacle run at the approach to combat and tactics was
end of the week the to their own. This was true for the rifle
Legionnaires and teams and also, surprisingly so, for the
sniper teams whose task is not only
Marines worked
highly technical but highly intuitive and
as a team, helping individualistic to an extreme.
each other out,
rather than as The week’s events culminated on
two competing Thursday October 31st, as Marines
formations and Legionnaires boarded the MV-22B
Osprey to be shuttled to the urban
warfare compound that served as the
day’s objective. Combined Legion-
Marine combat teams assaulted the
Combat & Survival 35
 Elite Forces
enemy ‘stronghold’, communicating
and working together as they
manoeuvred around and through the
metal warehouses, concrete urban
structures and danger areas which
made up the compound.
Blank ammunition re-created the
sounds and smells of the battlefield
as the assault teams faced off with
an enemy insurgent group played
by fellow Marines and Legionnaires.
The exercise ended after the force
had worked its way through a final
building, eliminating the enemy forces
inside using room-clearing tactics and
techniques they had worked on over
the preceding days.
The final event of the week was a
seven kilometre obstacle run set up by
the Legionnaires. I would have thought
that this would be a meeting of rivals,
the two units competing against each
other, but as it turned out a spirit of
camaraderie set in and the Marines
and Legionnaires blended together
to encourage and push each other
over and through the obstacles. The
end result was that, even though they
started the race as individuals, the
effort formed them into one group with
Marines and Legionnaires crossing
the finish line together.
TRAINING ADAPTED TO
THE MISSION
Captain Kyle Stuart, an MV-22B
Osprey pilot with Marine Medium
36 Combat & Survival
Tiltrotor Squadron 162 from SP-MAGTF
Crisis Response holds the honour of
being the first pilot to fly an Osprey into
France. The Legionnaires of the 2nd
Company from 2e Régiment Étranger
d’Infanterie (2nd Foreign Legion Infantry
Regiment) were the first French troops
to have boarded one of the tilt rotor
craft for tactical manoeuvres. Just two
firsts in this interesting week of bilateral
training.
Lieutenant Larson, the Marine Crisis
Response Force press officer, laid
out the key role of SP-MAGTF Crisis
Response: “Our primary mission is
embassy defence reinforcement, which
could also involve non-combatant
protection and evacuation. The men
are also prepared for tactical recovery
of aircraft and flight crews and have the
necessary logistics and organisation
to carry out humanitarian missions and
disaster relief. In a more general sense
we are capable of providing airborne
support to other units in a wide variety
of situations.”
One might add that in any operation
he Crisis Response Force would be
involved in they may very well be
working with other allied troops as crisis
situations usually involve a number of
different nationalities. Disaster relief
operations also tend to be a joint effort
with several countries participating.
Joint training exercises like this one
with the French are an excellent way to
prepare the men for that eventuality.
US Marines (in From what Lt. Larson told me, I could
Desert MARPAT) see that the training exercise held
and Osprey crew at Camp des Garriques was time
members (in plain well spent and well-suited to future
operations Crisis Response Force
sand uniforms)
might be involved in. For a newly
learn how to field formed unit, the Task Force had
strip the French performed well. They had efficiently
FAMAS assault rifle set up a command and logistics
centre and had established ground air
Images © communications on the first day. From
RICHARD LUCAS there on the training went according to
schedule.
Captain T. D. McAbee, the officer-in-
charge of the exercise for the Marines,
probably summed it up best, saying:
“Our unit’s alert status can make it a
challenge to get away and do these
types of events. But bilateral exercises
are integral for maintaining our ability
to focus on our mission and sharpen
our skills while fostering improved
military relations with our sister nations’
militaries.”
At Endex the unit from Crisis Response
headed back to Spain and back to
24/7 alert status in a region that is
becoming more and more volatile.
With the continuing chaos in Libya,
Algeria seemingly on the brink of its
own Arab Spring, and neighbouring
Tunisia in political discord another crisis
situation in the area looks to be almost
inevitable. So it seems very likely that
SP-MAGTF Crisis Response, America’s
newest elite unit, may find itself in the
crisis zone sooner rather than later.
 Despite its size and
weight the Boxer offers
outstanding cross-
country capabilities - this
GTK Boxer A1 Gruppen
transport fahrzeug
wheeled APC was
photographed in
Afghanistan in July 2013

1: The first GTK 1

Boxer A0 APCs
were officially
handed over to the
Bundeswehr in
The Gepanzertes Transport
Kraftfahrzeug (Armoured
September 2009
Transport Vehicle) Boxer, and fielded at unit
also known as Boxer Multi- level in November
Role Armoured Vehicle 2010 - this vehicle
(MRAV), recently entered of Jägerregiment 1
operational service with the was seen in 2011
German Bundeswehr. Since [Clemens Niesner]
2011 the vehicle has been
deployed with the German 2: Rear view of
ISAF contingent in northern GTK Boxer A0 APC
Afghanistan. This two-part which offers its
briefing will cover the
Boxer's development history
crew protection
and technology and also
from anti-tank and
describe the variants anti-personnel replace them in all branches of the
2
already in service with the mines, IEDs, heavy armed forces with wheeled armour.
German armed forces. machineguns,
medium calibre There are plenty reasons for this

S
ince the end of the Cold War
armed forces around the world
have begun more and more to
replace tracked armoured
vehicles with wheeled ones in their
inventory. In case of some nations,
there are even movements to totally
phase out tracked vehicles and
development. One, for example, being
automatic cannons
the changing mission spectrum of the
and artillery shells modern armed forces which are
shrapnel moving away from the conventional
[Clemens Niesner] warfighting of the Twentieth Century
and are now focusing on peace- fast and well protected vehicles are
Images © keeping, stabilisation and counter- required, which additionally can ideally
CARL SCHULZE insurgency (COIN) operations. For be deployed rapidly by heavy transport
unless noted these types of missions highly mobile, aircraft.

38 Combat & Survival

The Boxer A1 is powered by
an MTU 8V 199 TE20 diesel
engine giving a top speed of
103km/h - this example
belonging to the German ISAF
contingent was seen in
Afghanistan in 2013

Especially in the field of speed and 3: In addition to the

mobility, wheeled vehicles have an raised FLW 200 RCWS
advantage over tracked ones, and and the mine
they are usually also easier to deploy protection kit,
due to being lighter. In addition, modifications carried
wheeled vehicles usually have a less
out on the Boxer A1
aggressive appearance and cause
less damage to roads and fields; both
included the fitting of
points are important factors that
the Störsender CG-12
should not be underestimated in the RCIED electronic
battle for winning hearts and minds. counter measure
system
Another reason for the move towards
wheeled vehicles is money, as 4: The rear fighting
defence budgets are constantly compartment of the
shrinking and available funds are often Boxer has seating for
limited. Wheeled armoured vehicles in
up to seven dismounts the Piranha V marketed by General
most cases have the advantage that
they can be procured at a much lower
- the troops leave and Dynamics European Land Systems 4
price than tracked, and maintaining enter the vehicle via a MOWAG GmbH in Switzerland; the
them is also much less expensive. large rear ramp as Armoured Modular Vehicle (AMV)
One reason for this is that wheeled seen here during marketed by Patria Oyj in Finland and
vehicles often incorporate commercial operations in in service with the Swedish, Finnish,
off-the-shelf components, such as Afghanistan in 2013 Polish, Slovenian and Croatian Armed
engines, transmissions and axles from Forces; and the GTK Boxer Multi Role
commercial trucks. 5: Boxer follows a Armoured Vehicle (MRAV) marketed by
modular design ARTEC GmbH in Germany, in service
These developments are reflected by with the German Bundeswehr and
the quantity of modern latest
approach - this A1 5
Gruppen transport about to enter service with the Royal
generation wheeled armoured vehicles Netherlands Armed Forces.
and vehicle families available on the fahrzeug APC consist
international market today. In case of of the automotive COLD WAR ROOTS
the western world this includes, module and the While the GTK Boxer MRAV belongs to
among others: the Véhicule Blindé de mission module, which the latest generation of wheeled
Combat d'Infanterie (VBCI) marketed starts shortly behind armour, this vehicle which was
by Nexter Systems in France and in the driver's designed under a modular philosophy
service with the French Armed Forces; compartment can trace its roots back to the 1980s

Combat & Survival 39

 and the last decade of the Cold War.
Up to that time it was believed in the
world of military vehicles designers
and developers that building of an
efficient wheeled combat vehicle with
a weight of over 20 tons was not
viable. However the Experimental
fahrzeug 8x8 (EXF 8x8) prototype
built by the Mercedes-Benz AG in
1986, at the request of the
Bundeswehr, proved the opposite.
The vehicle, which weighed 32
tonnes and featured a Leopard 1 A3
turret with a 105mm rifled tank gun,
incorporated state-of-the-art
suspension and chassis technology
that was twinned with new tyre
technology and a central tire inflation
system. During trials conducted by
the Wehrtechnische Dienststelle 41
(WTD 41) in Trier, the EXF 8x8 was
found to offer equal capabilities to
tracked vehicles in the field of off-
road mobility and cross country
travelling speed. The trials
conducted with the vehicle
generated vital data for future
wheeled armoured fighting vehicle
projects and benefited the later
development of the GTK Boxer
MRAV.
40 Combat & Survival
Main Image: Both 6
front axles of the
GTK Boxer are
steered and to
further reduce the
turning circle of the
vehicle to 15
metres a steering
brake can be
applied that stops all
four wheels on one
side of the vehicle
6: During the 2013
Informations
lehrübung Ground
Operations
demonstration a M113 AND TPZ 1 FUCHS In February 1990 the tactical
GTK Boxer A1 REPLACEMENT requirements for the new vehicle were
In the late 1980s the Bundeswehr issued by the Bundeswehr. Around the
negotiates a water began to look around for a replacement same time France began with the
obstacle - without for its ageing fleet of M113 tracked development of the Véhicule Blindé
preparation the APCs and Transportpanzer 1 Fuchs Modulaire (VBM) as a replacements for
vehicle can ford wheeled APCs. Following several the Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé (VAB)
water obstacles studies it was finally decided to replace wheeled APC. Following this, the two
1,200mm deep these vehicles with a wheeled nations agreed to join forces and a bi-
personnel carrier which was given the national agreement about the tactical
designation Gepanzertes Transport requirements for the new vehicle was
Kraftfahrzeug (GTK), which translates signed in March 1993. In January 1995
literally in English as armoured this was followed by the issuing of the
transport vehicle. tactical technical requirement for the
7 8
vehicle, based on which the
technical specifications were then
established and two international
consortia were invited to tender for
the development and production
contract for 200 of the new vehicles
per nation. Team International
included Henschel Wehrtechnik,
Vickers Defence Systems, Alvis Plc
and Panhard while ARGE GTK
included Krauss Maffei, Wegmann,
MaK, GKN Defence and GIAT.
In July 1996 the United Kingdom
officially joined the programme,
looking for a replacement for its
ageing fleet of FV432 APCs and
other wheeled and tracked vehicles
then in service. It was planned that
the UK would procure about 600
plus vehicles. During the same
year, concept studies for a 6x6 and
8x8 vehicle were conducted, and in
April 1997 the bids of the tendering
consortia were placed.
In April 1998 it was announced that
the ARGE GTK consortium had
been selected for the contract as
the 8x8 vehicle solution offered by
it was seen as the more cost
efficient solution, had a greater
payload and interior volume and
7: The vehicle 2001 the Netherlands joined the
commander is seated programme as the armed forces of
behind the power pack this nation planned to replace some
offered more growth potential. In the compartment, on the left of its ageing fleet of YPR armoured
meantime ARGE GTK, using its own side, centrally in the hull personnel carriers with the new
funds, had built a 6x6 technology - to his front is situated vehicle; prior to joining the
demonstrator. On the German side the multi-function programme the country had been an
fielding of the 6x6 vehicle was terminal of the Führungs- observer since 1997.
considered as a much cheaper und Informations system
alternative to fulfil the mission of about des Heeres and the Also in 2001, production of the first
one third of the approximately 3,000 Integriertes Führungs- GTK Boxer MRAV prototype for
vehicles that it needed to procure, so und Informations system Germany started; the vehicle, an
further development in this direction für Kampf truppen C3 armoured personnel carrier version,
was conducted nationally, but the system being handed over for trials in
project was eventually terminated. December 2002. This vehicle was
8: Each soldier in the followed by a first GTK Boxer MRAV
ARTEC GMBH rear fighting prototype for the Netherlands; a
In February 1999 ARTEC (ARmoured compartment has an command post variant handed over in
TEChnology) GmbH was formed as a individual shock- November 2003. Earlier the same
joint venture by Krauss-Maffei absorbing seat with year the United Kingdom announced
Wegmann GmbH & Co KG, the MaK adjustable back and head its withdrawal from the Boxer
System GmbH and Britain's Alvis Plc. rest and four-point safety programme as the vehicle would not
ARTEC from this point functioned as harness with integrated meet requirements coming to effect
prime contractor for the development air bags in the shoulder by the 31st December 2004.
and production of the GTK Boxer MRAV, straps
including programme management, In May 2004 the British Army
system engineering, configuration 9: Although the Boxer launched the Future Rapid Effect
management and contract offers 14 cubic metres of System (FRES) programme, including
administration. protected volume the the wheeled FRES UV (Utility Vehicle)
space available in the and the tracked FRES SV (Specialist
In September 1999, France pulled out rear fighting Vehicle). FRES was to take the place
of the project after an argument about compartment for the of the GTK Boxer MRAV. Ironically in
the part its state owned GIAT Industries seven soldiers, who are 2007 the GTK Boxer MRAV was one
(Groupement des Industries de l'Armée seated along the side of the three vehicles that were
de Terre) would play in the development walls facing inwards, is examined for the FRES UV
and production of the vehicle. Then in limited requirement.
Combat & Survival 41
10
Parallel with the British withdrawal
Alvis Plc pulled out of the ARTEC
GmbH. Today ARTEC GmbH is owned
by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH &
Co. KG, Rheinmetall Radfahrzeuge
GmbH and Rheinmetall Nederland
B.V. Here it has to be mentioned that
the long development time of the GTK
Boxer MRAV for a large part was the
result of the constantly changing of
partner nations, their requirements
and the manufacturers involved.
FROM PROTOTYPES TO
SERIES PRODUCTION
With the GTK Boxer MRAV
programme being again a bi-national
affair, work continued. Over the next
few years the total of twelve GTK
Boxer MRAV prototypes was
completed, while at the same time
intensive trials were conducted. Up to
2008, for example, as part of reliability
trials the six German prototypes
successfully covered 90,000km. In the
meantime, on 19th December 2006 a
contract for the series production of
the GTK Boxer MRAV was signed by
the Organisation Conjointe de
Coopération en matière d'ARmement
(OCCAR), covering the production of
272 vehicles for Germany and 200 for
the Netherlands.
OCCAR was established by an
administrative arrangement on 12th
November 1996 by the Defence
Ministers of France, Germany, Italy
and the UK. The aim of the OCCAR is
to provide more effective and efficient
arrangements for the management of
certain existing and future
42 Combat & Survival
11 12
13
10: The gunner sits collaborative armament programmes.
behind the driver on the
right side, in the centre In 2008 series production of those
of the hull - in front of vehicles for Germany commenced and
him is the control panel on 23rd September 2009, at the Krauss-
for the FLW 200 RCWS Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG
operated via a joystick production plant in Munich, the roll out of
attached to the armrest the first series production GTK Boxer A0
of his seat Gruppen transport fahrzeug (translates
as group or section transport vehicle)
11: The driver's wheeled APC was celebrated. Following
compartment, accessed this, in early 2010 final into service
from the rear, is acceptance trials were conducted by the
situated to the front Bundeswehr in Australia and Saudi
right of the hull - the Arabia, with two series production
steering wheel can be vehicles. In November of the same year
adjusted in height and to the first GTK Boxer A0 Gruppen transport
the right is situated the fahrzeug APCs were handed over to the
automatic transmission Infanterieschule Hammelburg school of
gear selector infantry for training purposes and in
December the first series production GTK
12: These two Boxer A1 Boxer Führungs fahrzeug A0 command
APCs are fitted with post vehicle was handed over to the
the12.7mm M2HB QCB - Bundeswehr.
the sensor package of
the FLW 200 RCWS From early 2011 Jägerbataillon 292, a
includes a high- light infantry battalion of the Deutsch- Sanitätsfahrzeug heavy ambulance
resolution CCD day Französische Brigade or Franco-German variants were also deployed to
camera, a cooled Brigade, was the first unit to receive the Afghanistan.
thermal sight and an new vehicle and that August a first batch
eye-safe laser of five GTK Boxer A1 Gruppen transport At time of writing (January 2014) some 30
rangefinder fahrzeug APCs was deployed to northern GTK Boxer MRAVs are employed with the
Afghanistan for service with the German German ISAF contingent in Afghanistan.
13: The FLW 200 RCWS ISAF contingent. Among other minor By August 2013 a total of 200 GTK Boxer
on the A1 sits 300mm modifications, the A1 variants now MRAV series production vehicles had
higher than on the A0 feature a mine protection kit, a raised (by been completed and in the same month
variant - it can be fitted 300mm) FLW 200 remote controlled the first series production GTK Boxer
either with a 40mm weapon station and a Störsender CG-12 MRAV in the configured as a driver
Granat maschinen RCIED electronic counter measure training vehicle was also handed over to
waffe, as seen here, or system. In 2012 the GTK Boxer Führungs the Netherlands.
a 12.7mm M2HB QCB fahrzeug A1 command post vehicle and
heavy machinegun GTK Boxer A0 schwere geschützte CONTINUED NEXT MONTH ...
 Armour Focus 2

In the first article in his two- 1

parter on the GTK Boxer (see
page 38), Carl mentioned
that this German armoured
personnel carrier was one
of three trial contenders
selected for the wheeled
(Utility Vehicle) component
of the British Army’s FRES
(Future Rapid Effect System)
programme. When in late
July 2007 the UK Ministry of
Defence publicly unveiled
what at the time they
described as being the three
‘Trials of Truth’ contenders for
the FRES-UV competition, C&S
was invited down to Bovington Scorpion/Scimitar-based Combat Vehicle Main Image: The Dutch/German MRAV project which
to see the trio performing Reconnaissance [Tracked] family and Utility Vehicle (UV) resulted in the GTK Boxer, but after
off-road over the range of the wheeled Saxon ‘battlefield taxi’ troop component of FRES was spending nearly £200 million on the two
standard obstacles used to carrier procured primarily for the Territorial envisaged as an air- projects it was decided to withdraw from
evaluate mobility during the Army. It was also considered that new transportable wheeled participation and go it alone.
‘battlefield day’ cycle. generation armoured vehicles would infantry section
carrier for rapid

F
ollowing the 1998 Strategic
Defence Review, commissioned
by the then recently elected Blair
Government, the MoD decided
that the British Army required a fleet
of new armoured vehicles to replace
the ageing FV430 Trojan Series
of tracked personnel carriers, the
be needed to fulfil new roles as combat
missions evolved to meet the challenges of
the 21st Century.
Through the latter part of the nineties
and into the new millennium the
UK participated in two international
collaborative programmes; namely the
Anglo/American TRACER and the Anglo/
In July 2003 the then Secretary of
response formations State for Defence stated: “we judge
that the Multi-Role Armoured Vehicle
1: FRES-UV Trials (MRAV) is not ideally suited to the type
contenders Boxer, of operations envisaged under the
Piranha and VBCI in Strategic Defence Review New Chapter
alphabetical order, with and other developing policy work.
the German vehicle on This, coupled with recent operational
the left experience in the Balkans, Sierra Leone,

44 Combat & Survival

2 3

2 & 3: Using wheels rather than tracks increases operating range and
reduces both routine maintenance requirements and component wear

4 5

4 & 5: Troops can speedily debus Boxer through a large hydraulically

operated rear ramp but there is also a side-hinged personnel door in
the ramp
6 7

6 & 7: Boxer has deliver a step-change in the capability

East Timor, Afghanistan and latterly Iraq,
has demonstrated the need for rapid
deployability in expeditionary operations.
MRAV is not considered able to meet
this capability requirement which will be
pursued through the Future Rapid Effect
System (FRES). FRES will be a very
significant component of the long-term
transformation of the land battle through
its contribution to network-enabled
capability.”
In May 2004 the same SoS announced
to Parliament: “The Ministry of Defence
has approved the launch of a two-year
assessment phase for the Future Rapid
Effect System (FRES). FRES is the most
significant armoured vehicle project
for the next decade. It is central to the
Army’s future force structure, providing
a family of network-capable armoured
vehicles as part of a coherent and highly
deployable medium-weight force. It will
excellent mobility and of our forces to meet the challenges of
can keep up with main future expeditionary operations. FRES
battle tanks cross- is also intended to meet the need to
replace a number of in-service vehicles,
country but on-road it is
such as SAXON, with modern, battle-
considerably faster and winning equipment.”
smoother than a tracked
personnel carrier When the three FRES-UV trials vehicles
were rolled out in July 2007, GTK Boxer
Images © was one of them, but subsequently it
Bob Morrison : Military lost out to Piranha V. In December 2008
Scene the wheeled FRES programme was
dropped.

Combat & Survival 45

 Footwear Review

LAST MONTH WE LOOKED An incredibly

AT THE BLACK COBRA lightweight hi-tech
GTX 8-INCH PATROL BOOT composition sole,
FROM MEINDL, MAKERS which offers
OF THE DESERT FOX good traction

A
WHICH IS IN SERVICE and is flexible yet s this Gore-Tex lined shoe is intended
WITH UK MOD AS ONE torsionally stable, for those in uniform, be they security
OF TWO CHOICES IN THE is a major feature or first responder professionals, who
DESERT COMBAT HIGH of the superbly spend a lot of time on their feet in
LIABILITY BROWN BOOT comfortable Meindl urban environments, a few days pounding
CATEGORY, AND OUR Black Python GTX the pavements and pedestrian precincts
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS of our capital city seemed a good initial
leather and fabric testing ground. Several hours after starting
WERE THAT THIS ULTRA- upper Gore- out and with many miles having passed un-
LIGHTWEIGHT FOOTWEAR Tex breathable derfoot I asked Jitka for her opinion on the
SEEMED TO BE VERY waterproof Pythons. Her response was: “They are just
GOOD INDEED. THAT membrane lining sooo comfortable!” That mirrors my opinion
BOOT IS ACTUALLY ONE all-weather patrol on the Cobra GTX, which is the lightest
OF A TRIO, WITH THE shoe patrol boot I have ever worn, and as the
BLACK ANAKONDA BEING Python GTX is a shoe crafted using the very
THE 6-INCH VERSION Images © same modern manufacturing techniques it
AND THE BLACK PYTHON is naturally even lighter.
BEING MORE OF A SHOE
BOB MORRISON
THAN A BOOT. FOR A If you are in the market for a flexible
but torsionally stable lightweight patrol
SECOND OPINION ON
shoe with a top quality waterproof and
THIS FOOTWEAR FAMILY breathable membrane this smart model
WE GAVE JITKA A PAIR OF from Meindl is definitely worth considering.
PYTHONS TO TRIAL. Highly recommended.

Combat & Survival 47

 Although SIG Sauer is best Main Image: The 1
known as a manufacturer of SIG 516 PDW
high quality semi-automatic model is equipped
pistols, making rifles is not with a 7.5 inch
exactly a new development
(191 mm) barrel
for this company.
Established in 1853 as a
wagon factory located above 1: The SIG 516
the Rheinfall, at Neuhausen PDW will work
in Switzerland, the company well at close
opted to enter a competition ranges where
to develop a rifle for the pistols would
Swiss Army. Four years later, normally be used
the Swiss Government
awarded the factory with an
Images ©
order for 30,000 of their
muzzle loading Prelaz GREG ROBERTS
Burnand rifles. At that point unless noted
the owners decided to
change the name of the

A
company to the Swiss
large part of SIG Sauer's military units many law enforcement
Industrial Company, or
business revolves around military agencies have a lengthy history of
Schweizerische Industrie
and law enforcement contracts using the AR design and SIG
Gesellschaft, which we
for its successful handgun recognised that there was a strong
know today as SIG. In 1985
designs. Often when agencies interest for an improved version of this
SIG Sauer established their
contracted with SIG Sauer for platform. Their answer was the SIG 516
company in the USA and by
handguns they also showed interest in series of .223 Remington / 5.56x45 mm
1990 they were
buying rifles. SIG recognised that the NATO calibre rifles.
manufacturing handguns in
AR15 / M16 family of rifles was clearly a
Exeter, New Hampshire.
dominant design worldwide. As well as The SIG 516 not only gave the

Combat & Survival 49


company a chance to tap into this
broad market, but it also offered SIG
a chance to bring its own unique
approach to firearm design and
manufacture to this popular rifle
design. SIG started designing and
manufacturing AR 15 style rifles with
gas piston operating systems. The
design of these rifles did not just
utilise Swiss/German engineering
experience during the design
process, as both US and European
engineering design experience went
into the SIG manufactured AR rifle.
Gas piston AR rifles, whose operation
differs from the direct gas
impingement method of operation of
the original AR15 rifle, are becoming
more popular. There are a few
reasons for this, with the most
popular being their ease of
maintenance. There is no carbon
build-up on the bolt or carrier and no
combustion debris spread over the
inside of the receiver. The only
additional parts you have to clean are
the gas plug, cylinder, and piston.
After a range session it is much
easier to attend to a piston system
than a direct gas impingement
system.
The new generation of gas piston AR
rifles are as reliable and accurate as
50 Combat & Survival ??
2
Main Image: The
red dot sight
enables the SIG
516 PDW model to
deliver accurate
hits, even when
being fired in the
full automatic
mode.
2: The vertical
pistol grip
attached to the SIG the original direct gas impingement
516 PDW model design. Unlike the direct gas
enables the user impingement rifles, which adhere to a 'mil
spec' design, each company that
to deliver accurate manufactures a piston operating AR rifle
bursts of full designs and manufactures component
automatic fire parts using their own design and
manufacturing technology. SIG
manufactures all their major components
such as receivers and barrels in-house.
THE SIG 516 PATROL RIFLE
So what exactly does the new SIG 516
series bring to the AR design? Despite
the AR's broad based acceptance and its
many positive attributes, SIG recognised
that the platform could use some
attention in a few areas. The standard AR
is easy to shoot well because of its
excellent ergonomics and extremely
good accuracy, but the direct
impingement gas system requires a high
level of maintenance and cleaning. As a
result, the SIG 516 dispenses with the
direct impingement system and
incorporates a proprietary gas piston
operating system designed to offer
reliable operation in even the most
severe environments.
The SIG Sauer SIG 516 Basic Patrol
Model is a semi-automatic tactical rifle
chambered in 5.56 mm NATO / .223
Remington calibre. This is an AR15 style
rifle and has a gas operated piston
driven system, which functions by the
propellant gases cycling back through a
tube located near the muzzle and then
being directed onto a piston to drive the
bolt back. With a steel barrel and
receiver, it is made of lightweight aircraft
grade alloy putting its weight at between
6.5 and 7.4 pounds, 14.3 and 16.3kg,
dependent on the platform being used.

A bolt hold-open device locks the
bolt carrier assembly open after
expending the last cartridge from the
magazine and is released by pushing
the bolt catch lever located on the left
side of the receiver. Alternatively, a
left handed shooter can release the
bolt by pulling the charging handle to
the rear a short distance.
The first generation of the SIG 516 AR
rifle was introduced in 2010, with a
second generation now in
production. The upper receiver has a
15.9 inch (406 mm) free floating M4
profiled military grade chrome lined
barrel with a phosphate protective
coating on the outside of the barrel.
Barrel lengths of 7.5" (191 mm), 10.0"
(254 mm), 14.4" ( 368 mm ) and 15.9"
(406 mm) are also available. As the
barrel is free floating, this means it
does not touch the fore end
handguard. This free floating
prevents the barrel from contacting
the fore end when it heats up, which
could alter the point of impact of the
bullet. The barrel also has a corrosion
resistant chrome lined bore.
The receiver is manufactured from
7075-T6 aircraft grade aluminium with
a charcoal black anodised surface
finish. Other features include a four
position gas regulator and a M1913
Picatinny flat top upper, to which a
set of flip up iron Sights attached. All
types of optical, red dot and laser
sights can be attached to the M1913
Picatinny rail.
3
Main Image: The SIG 4
516 family can also
be fired off the left 5
shoulder - there is
also an ambidextrous
magazine release
button, which can be
operated by the left
hand index finger.
The Generation 2 version has
3: The butt on the SIG undergone several improvements from
516 rifle can be set the first iteration of the SIG 516. This
in six different 6
model's four position gas regulator has
positions and is been redesigned for easier removal for
shown here in the cleaning. SIG has also redesigned the
closed or stowed proprietary barrel attachment system
position with a redesigned barrel nut. The newly
designed attachment apparatus
4: The SIG 516 is eliminates the need to realign the barrel
available in PDW, nut with the piston or gas tube. They laden fouling is not piped into the
CQB, Tactical Patrol also redesigned how the gas piston is receiver so the inside of the rifle will
and Patrol models - removed from the upper. On the stay a lot cleaner for longer. The
the PDW (top) and Generation 1 you had to unscrew it, as intensive cleaning can be concentrated
Patrol models are it was threaded. Now all you need to do on the inside the barrel and the gas
shown here is depress the detent button and hand piston assembly. The bolt carrier and
turn it counter-clockwise. receiver internals will not get as dirty as
5: The SIG 516 will quickly and should suffice with a quick
Those of you who have a working wipe after a shooting session.
accept M16 knowledge of field stripping the FN FAL
magazines in 10, 20 or SLR will be familiar with this type of DEPENDABILITY
and (as shown here) gas regulation and piston system. The SIG Sauer prides themselves on the
30 round upper can be field stripped for cleaning dependability and reliability of their
configurations with no tools. products. They produced a video which
graphically shows the variety of torture
6: The Patrol version EASIER CLEANING tests the 516 was put through, which
of the SIG 516 rifle is This is the favourite characteristic about included water, mud and sand. The rifle
fitted with a 15.9 inch piston operating AR rifles. Cleaning is performed flawlessly in the video, but
(406 mm) long much less labour intensive than the do not try this at home with a SIG 516,
barrel direct impingement system. The carbon or anything else!
Combat & Survival 51

ACCURACY
SIG 516 accuracy is more than
sufficient for a service rifle. You will
need to use ammunition loaded with
a NATO SS109 bullet or heavier
bullets to get the best groups. The
barrel has a one revolution in seven
inches rifling twist which is best for
stabilising bullets in the 62 to 77
grain range. Groups that are shot
with hand loaded ammunition built
using the heavier match bullets will
come close to one minute of angle
(MoA).
This rifle will also function reliability
with ammunition loaded with 55 grain
bullets that were designed for the
earlier version of the AR15, which
has a one revolution in twelve inch
rifling twist. Groups will be bigger, but
it is good to know that the SIG 516
will function with this type of
ammunition. Remember the SIG 516
is not designed as a match rifle for
target shooting - it is designed to be
used as a duty rifle that functions
reliability with different types of 5.56
mm calibre ammunition when being
used in the harshest environmental
conditions.
GAS PISTOL OPERATION
One of the most notable
improvements in the design of this
rifle is that it is gas piston operated.
When fired, a conventional AR rifle
channels gas down a tube to the
carrier shoe, which is attached to the
bolt carrier. This is where the gas
52 Combat & Survival
7
stops, expending its energy to the Main Image: 8
spring loaded carrier pushing it Numerous types of
backward into the stock. This extracts optical sight can
the spent case and chambers another be fitted to the SIG
round on its forward stroke.
516, such as the
This system has performed, and still Trijicon ACOG
performs, extremely well but the gasses shown here
transferred to the bolt area carry a lot of attached to the
carbon and fouling along with it, which M1913 Picatinny The small white dot setting is for
can be left on the bolt carrier. This rail 'standard' or normal operation, allowing
fouling needs to be removed during enough gas to be tapped from the bore
through the gas block to operate the
routine maintenance in order to ensure 7: The four rail
continued reliable operation. The gas rifle under normal conditions. The larger
M1913 fore end white dot setting is for 'adverse'
piston system has been in use for
allows the conditions and allows more gas
many years, keeps the propellant gas
at the front of the rifle at the gas block.
attachment of through the system. The red dot setting
The energy is then transferred to the lights and vertical is designed for use with a suppressor
bolt carrier via a solid rod that runs pistol grips as and minimises the amount of gas
along the same path the gas tube ran. shown on this SIG allowed through the gas block.
This keeps the fouling in the gas piston 516 PDW model
chamber. Although this means that it SIG 516 ASSEMBLY
does not have to be cleaned as often, it 8: The SIG 516 is The rifle comes fitted with a six position
adjustable stock and ergonomic pistol
will still need regular attention and field stripped for
maintenance. grip, which is a good addition to any
cleaning - from the AR. The adjustability allows it to fit a
The SIG 516 features a three position top you can see variety of different sized shooters and
gas regulator, located within the the gas piston makes storing the rifle when not in use
Picatinny rail topped gas block. assembly, barrel / a little easier. It also comes with a four
Sporting a round, grooved knob, the upper receiver, rail M1913 fore end for attaching a
regulator has three markings which are: cocking handle, white light or a multitude of other
a small white dot; a larger white dot; bolt, magazine the devices. A flash hider is attached to the
and a small red dot. The regulator is butt / lower end of the barrel. .
locked into position by a spring loaded receiver
plunger on the forward face of the gas DESIGN IMPROVEMENTS
block and can be adjusted without Although the SIG 516 incorporates
tools. A prominent white line on the improvements to the design, the gas
upper right side of the block aligns with piston system is the most significant of
the dots and offers a visual cue to the them. A standard direct impingement
gas system's setting. system drives not only carbon and
fouling into the action, but also a lot of Main Image: The one
heat. The result is a system in which in seven twist rifling 9
lubrication can evaporate and
on the SIG 516 is
lubrication is necessary to keep any
firearm running reliably.
designed to suit the
NATO SS109 62 grain
The SIG 516's push rod gas system is bullet, but it will also
designed to reduce this effect by work reliably with
isolating heat, and fouling, forward of both lighter and
the action and above the barrel, which heavier bullets
keeps the critical action and chamber
area of the rifle clean and cooler. In
9: On the lower
addition, any excess gas is vented out
and downward in the forward portion
receiver you can see
of the handguard, just to the rear of the three position
the rifle's gas block through two vent safety - the hammer is
holes in the piston rod. in the cocked position
and the magazine
The family of SIG 516 tactical rifles is release button is
a recent product of the US based ambidextrous in its
branch of SIG Sauer. It includes a operation
semi automatic version, intended for
civilian and law enforcement markets 10
10: The SIG 516
and a selective fire version, which is
intended for the law enforcement and
Patrol model has a
military markets. 406mm M4 profile
barrel - this allows an
As previously mentioned, the SIG 516 M203 40 mm grenade
tactical rifles use the AR15 / M16 launcher to be
configuration, with aluminium alloy attached [SIG]
upper and lower receivers assembled
by two captive cross pins. The AR15 / 11: The iron sights
M16 style rotary bolt gas operated attached to the SIG
action has the addition of the short
516 can be folded 11
stroke gas piston that runs inside the
hand guard, above the barrel. The
down and kept in
gas block is equipped with manually place for emergency
adjustable gas regulator. The trigger use in the event of
unit, manual safety and method of failure of an optical
operation are also similar to the AR15. sight [SIG]

Combat & Survival 53

 The SIG 516 Patrol rifle has a 16 inch
M4 profile barrel and adjustable M4
style butt. The SIG 516 Precision
Marksman rifle has a longer 18 inch
barrel and adjustable stock. In both
versions the barrels are chrome lined,
which enhances both the life of the
barrel and corrosion resistance.
The sighting equipment is installed
using the integral Picatinny M1913 rail
on the top of the receiver and on the
additional four rails on the fore end.
This rifle will accept M16 / AR15
magazines, but first ensure the
reliability of a magazine with this rifle
(or any other firearm) before pressing it
into service. The standard M16
magazine will accept 30 rounds of
ammunition, but 10 and 20 round M16
magazines are also available.
This rifle has a more robust lower than
original AR rifles, with heavier squared-
off lines like the area that houses the
front pivot detent spring and area
around the bolt release lock. Also there
is a left side magazine release making
this function ambidextrous. Inside, the
frame is thicker with quite a bit more
metal on the sides and back area for
an improved durability.
On an AR when the upper and lower
start to wear a little, making for a less
than tight fit, this can give you an
annoying rattle. SIG have put a spring
loaded adjustable detent in the lower
right under the rear locking pin tab that
keeps constant spring tension on the
upper. If wear occurs it can be
adjusted to keep the tension as it
should. The end result is no more
rattling between the upper and lower
receiver.
54 Combat & Survival
12
Main Image: The 13
flash eliminator can
be removed from
the end of the
barrel of the SIG SHOOTING THE SIG 516 nature, but the development of the SIG
This rifle comes with flip-up adjustable 516 taps into a design (the AR15 rifle)
516 PDW version to iron sights, but SIG's own mini red dot more firmly rooted in the United States.
allow the sight and many types of optical sight can A desire to cater more directly to the
attachment of a also be used. This type of rifle is designed AR15 market actually makes a great
silencer for mainly short range use, but it can be deal of sense as the company has
used at extended ranges of up to 400 expanded its USA operation. During
12: The SIG 516 metres. the recent past years, the SIG Sauer
CQB model is fitted facility in Exeter, New Hampshire has
This rifle is quick to work around obstacles grown with the addition of employees,
with a 10 inch or
254 mm long barrel like barricades and windows making it a machinery and manufacturing space.
great choice for close combat or This expansion has gone in conjunction
- the Picatinny defensive shooting. The shorter carbine with the company expansion beyond its
M1913 rail on the barrel is better for retention during vehicle traditional market niche with handguns
fore end will accept or building searches and still accurate and into service rifles.
numerous enough for the longer range shots.
attachments [SIG] The SIG 516 is a very well made rifle. It
Although many people consider SIG is well designed and engineered and it
13: The SIG 516 Sauer to be primarily a handgun is also very reliable. With the heavier
PDW has a 191 mm manufacturer, the company's roots in 5.56 mm calibre bullets you will have all
Europe are linked to some extremely the accuracy you will want and with the
long barrel - with
the butt fully closed prolific and respected military rifle lighter 5.56 mm calibre bullets all the
designs. In addition, the company also accuracy that you will need.
the overall length is offers a line of long range precision rifles,
627 mm long, which which show their credentials as a
makes it easy to precision rifle manufacturer. For further information see
carry in a vehicle sigsauer.com and for UK purchases go
or even conceal The overall thrust of the offerings from the to beechwoodequipment.com or ring
under clothing [SIG] company may seem to be European in 01372 468 555.
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NITON Tactical Uniform Review
Short Sleeve Shirt
and Lightweight
Trousers. Smart
enough to pose
in, while taking
a break during a
photo assignment,
outside David’s gaff
in London without
attracting undue
attention from
the armed police
officers on duty?

Combat & Survival 57

 Uniform

THE C&S FIELD TEAM ARE Both Jitka and

NEITHER SOLDIERS NOR I prefer short
POLICEMEN, THOUGH sleeved uniform
MOST HAVE SEEN shirts. The close
MILITARY OR POLICE weave of these
SERVICE IN THE PAST, ripstop polycotton
SO WE DO NOT DRESS garments makes
IN ISSUE UNIFORM them warm and
WHEN ON ASSIGNMENT windproof - these

T
THOUGH WE DO WEAR o illustrate this point, only last night
photos were shot
OR CARRY MILITARY KIT our German-based senior contribu-
SUCH AS PROTECTIVE OR
on cold days in mid tor Carl pitched up in my Devon
LOAD-CARRYING GEAR.
and late January. office, after spending a few days
HOWEVER THE NATURE Chest pockets in the UK at Warminster and Bovington
OF OUR JOB MEANS are a decent size researching for a forthcoming APC
THAT WE DO HAVE TO and have vertical book, wearing pretty similar uniform to
PRESENT A SMARTISH access concealed what Jitka is wearing on these pages.
APPEARANCE AND WE pockets behind. Just as most readers will be at home
Note also the chest wearing MTP or DPM combats, we are
REQUIRE FUNCTIONAL
pen slot and sleeve at our most comfortable wearing NITON
CLOTHING FOR WORKING
or 5.11 tactical shirts and pants/trousers
OUTDOORS OR FOR pen pockets. Shot on the road, in the field, at the office,
TRAVELLING AWAY FROM of Bob on the firing or even down the pub; indeed as I type
OUR BASES, SO MORE range is © this I am wearing a khaki short-sleeved
OFTEN OR NOT YOU NEIL HOPE NITON tactical shirt (NT25003) with blue
WILL SEE US WEARING jeans.
SHIRTS AND TROUSERS
WHICH ARE CLOSE TO A The photos on these pages were shot
MILITARY STYLE. while we were in London recently for

58 Combat & Survival

Both front and rear slant pockets on
trousers have secondary pockets inside
them and there is a cargo pocket on each
outer thigh plus a pistol magazine pocket
on the upper left front. The free Pocket
Buddy stows in either cargo pocket and
has a tape retainer which can be clipped to
an internal D-ring for security

Combat & Survival 59

 Uniform Review
a few days on a photo assignment
and took some time out to both see
the sights and explore a little off the
beaten track. My assistant Jitka was
wearing the navy blue version of the
NITON Tactical Short Sleeve Shirt
with Eclipse Epaulettes (NT25007)
and the NITON Tactical Lightweight
Trouser (NT20013) in khaki and I was
wearing the black version of the shirt
(NT25001).
Both shirt and trousers are available
in sand, as well khaki and navy
blue, and there are midnight green
versions too. Trousers come in three
lengths (30”, 32” and 34”) with eleven
waistband sizes starting at 30”. Shirts
are in five sizes, from Small through
to XXLarge, but are generously cut so
you would need to be carrying more
weight than a C&S Editor not to fit the
XXL. If long sleeves are a necessity,
there are also versions like this
available but we prefer short sleeves
most of the time.
Designed to look smart yet still be
functional, these lightweight shirts
are tailored from a ripstop polycotton
material which is hard-wearing and
resistant to tears and abrasions.
60 Combat & Survival
They have two slightly bellowed chest
pockets with Velcro closures to keep
items secure but easily accessible,
and behind each there is a vertical
access hidden document pocket. Rank
slides can be fitted to epaulettes on the
shoulders if necessary, but if you need
to go covert just unbutton and tuck away
into a concealed pocket with Velcro tab
to keep the strap hidden. There is a pen
slot on the top of the left chest pocket
and double pen pockets on the left
sleeve.
The lightweight trousers (NITON also do
a heavier weight) are also tailored from
ripstop polycotton and are styled on
military designs, with plenty of pockets
plus a reinforcing layer of fabric at seat Each shirt currently comes strap for those wearing a pistol holster.
and knees for durability. The waistband with a useful free wallet/
is elasticated at the sides for freedom organiser with neck cord Those buying NITON trousers online
of movement and comfort and their are which can double as an from niton999.co.uk currently receive a
reinforced loops for a 50mm waistbelt. ID holder or even take free colour-coded Tactical Pocket Buddy,
There are two slash pockets front and your Oyster touch-card if worth £14.99, which fits perfectly inside
rear, and inside these you will find you are a regular London one of the cargo pockets and can be
secondary semi-concealed pockets. traveller. If you need to hide clipped to the D-ring inside for added
On each thigh there is a bellowed cargo your epaulettes they can be security. If buying a shirt, you receive a
pocket and high on the left thigh there simply tucked away in the pocket organiser wallet in a matching
is a pistol magazine pocket. Pocket shoulder pockets. Those colour; this wallet can be worn around
closures are Velcro, there are four Pocket Buddy bags are the neck on a soft cord if you need to
D-rings beneath the belt loops, and on really useful for carrying hide cash and cards and the Pocket
the left hip there is a horizontal retention small accessories tidily Buddy has a myriad of uses.
 1

Main Image: My son Bruce up high in The Lakes with

the benefit of the Fizan Alp poles – the sort of place
they are of real benefit

1: The Alps have two adjusters and come with

interchangeable baskets and rubber hard surface ends
2: The locking system is a new take which works
well - the pole is gripped on the outside, making it easy
to keep clean, corrosion proof and offering a good
friction area
2

I am a self-confessed poles
fan. Perhaps for some readers,
particularly Police and Military
types, walking poles do not
figure in their kit, but many fit
and able walkers like myself use
them a lot.

I
find poles improve my pace, as well
as giving significant added security on
difficult going, help when going uphill
and give significantly improved braking
downhill. As I found out, they can be
almost a lifesaver if things go wrong, my
poles helping me out when my leg gave
up on me in a very inaccessible spot.

There are many types out there, but the

Alps from Fizan have taken a new and
inventive look at the locking set up. From
the beginning some poles required,
especially after some use, a lot more than
comfortable tightening to secure them.
Even then, they had a tendency to loosen
in use and could let you down; usually
when under pressure and just when you
least wanted them to.

The lock set-up on the Alps has, so far

and after good use, held fast and locked
up with little effort. The system is simple
and works. Perhaps it looks a bit bulky but
this is not an issue and is not heavy. The
rest of these poles are quite conventional
with interchangeable ‘baskets’ and rubber
ends if needed.

62 Combat & Survival

 Product - UK Contact: Fizan Alp/Allcord Algeos/Algeos Yak Trax/Algeos
Telephone/Web: 0131 603 4494/allcord.co.uk 0151 448 1228/algeos.com 0151 448 1228/algeos.com

3 4

5 6

I had been waiting for some more suitable
conditions to try these out but so far all it has
done is rain and I did not have a chance to get
to Scotland where the snow is.
Main Image: The two systems compared - Both these sets are quick and easy to fit to most
both are easy to fit to a variety of footwear. items of footwear and light and easy to carry for
when the going gets slippery. Due North use
3 & 5:The Everyday seen fitted to walking tungsten carbide spikes for durability and each
boots. set comes with two spare replaceable spikes. The

I
have tried something similar to these in the past and really
cannot understand why these are not more common in
UK. To me it is an obvious solution to prevent at best a
sore bum and damaged ego or at worst ... a lot worse!
attachment system is rubber, so both durable and
4 & 6:The All Purpose system has more easy to fit/ remove.
‘sole’ which is made from very sticky
rubber for additional grip. If you are going to somewhere slippery a defo for me.

7 7: The fitting of 8
the Yak Trax is
quite substantial
and they have the
extra top strap
for additional
security
8: Yak Trax
fitted - as can be
seen are easy to
pack away and
not aggressive to
pack into the day
pack
Images ©
MIKE GORMLEY

Yak Trax Pro are from the
same marketing stable as the
Due North traction aids also
covered in this issue. However
these do a similar thing in a
different way.
P
erhaps less aggressive than the
spikes, but on the other hand they
have more grip coverage with
spiral wires around the rubber
‘frame’. They also have a Velcro strap
over the top of the footwear so will not
come off by accident; not confirmed,
but they seem reasonably robust for
this type of use. These traction aids
can be usefully worn for any slippery surface, not necessarily
just snow, being somewhere in between standard soles and
walking crampons.
Very handy to pop into the day pack or bergen if there is a
chance of snow/ice higher up, they do not pose the same
issues in carrying as crampons do so are much easier in a
‘just in case’ scenario. Worth having in the ‘tool box’. If it snows
soon I will let you know how I get on with these.

Combat & Survival 63

 Product - UK Contact: SIGG/SIGG Gerber/Gerber Fisher/GBA Pen Co.
Telephone/Web: 0128 477 4741/sigg.com 0150 640 6277/gerber.co.uk 07702 238 064/gbapen.co.uk

Ellie making
use of the SIGG
Active after a
long walk to the
top of Exmoor

“When astronauts began to explore the reaches of

outer space, Paul Fisher realized that there was
no existing pen which could perform in its freezing
cold or boiling hot vacuum. Countless experiments
10 11 and a common sense approach to findings resulted
in the invention of the sealed and pressurized
Fisher Space Pen cartridge and in 1967, after 18
months of rigorous testing by NASA, the Space Pen
was selected for use by astronauts.”

W
e all need to write things down and this can prove to
be less than easy in more extreme conditions, even if
just in the wet or when trying to rest whatever you are
writing on upon the nearest tree. The good old biro can
give up in such conditions and a pencil can break.

The Trekker Space Pen overcomes these issues. It is small and

With a name like SIGG this
flask has a reputation to keep.
The Swiss company making
aluminium drink bottles can be
traced back to 1908. Renowned
for their durability, many
battered SIGGs live on for many
years in rucksack side pockets.
without concern of over-pressurising the
bottle, many of these effervescing as
they dissolve; Clean, allows the cap to
be taken apart.
My only adverse comment on this bottle
is that, although marked on the top, the
positions of the various functions are
not easy to see. They are small and the
comes with a breakaway lanyard and carabiner. It can write
at any angle and will perform at extremes of temperature (not
tested). It also has a good rubberised grip; something so often
lacking on pens. I can verify it will write, consistently underwater
where a biro gave up. This one has gained a place in my ‘must
take’ kit.
9: All the items in the Fisher 12
Space Pen kit – waterproof
notepad not included
10: The SIGG Active in its
component parts showing
top taken apart for cleaning

T
his version steps forward in time
and technology. Well shaped for a
good grip in cold and wet hands
(or hot and sweaty) it has a large
diameter top with bite valve. Where this
gets to be different is that the top very
simply comes apart for cleaning and
can be ‘switched’ to Close / Open / Air
/ Clean. Some explanation here: Air is
to allow you to put the now common
sports drink tablets into your water
same colour as the base so when you
are doing what you do and want a drink,
it is all too easy to move it to Clean,
where it comes apart. My solution is to
move it to Open when likely to use it, say
in a bike holder, and leave it there as the
bite valve stops the drink coming out in
most cases.
As ever, SIGG brings some style to the
drink bottle.
11: The inner section of the
top can be rotated to select
the mode required - not so
positive but it does work
and allows for effervescent
drinks to be used
12: The Gerber knife
sharpener – does what it
should
The BG (Bear Grylls)
sharpener is a neat item
contained in its own click
shut plastic container. Inside
is all you need to keep most
of your blades in good and
sharper condition. Neat and it
works.

64 Combat & Survival

 Survival

In fair weather the sea is both Main Image: The

fascinating and dangerous water in Lyme Regis
but should never be taken harbour, though
for granted, even if you live grey and miserable
on or close by the coast and like the background,
and think you know it well,
as when winds are high and
is comparatively
sea states are rough its raw
calm ... but look
power and ability to take life at those stormy
are truly awesome. Since late waves battering
December there has been the shoreline in the
a spate of incidents around right distance
Britain’s shores - in the last [Bob]
week alone (between 26th
January and 2nd February) no 1: Stand on almost
less than three anglers appear the same spot from
to have been swept away by
waves - where members of the
where the lead
public have lost their lives on
image was taken
but turn 90 degrees 2
the shoreline.
to the right and the

A
t the beginning of January, when dangerous sea state
high spring tides combined with begins to become
low pressure and very strong apparent
onshore winds, both Mike [Bob]
Gormley and myself independently
headed down to the East Devon coast 2: On the beach
to photograph the power of the sea at
Lyme Regis harbour and just along the
outside the harbour
coast at Sidmouth. Around the same
wall at Lyme the
time 18 year old photography student perilous state of the
Harry Martin, on holiday from university sea is more obvious
in London, left his South Devon family [Bob]
home to take images of the stormy
weather on a part of the coast he Images ©
knew well; sadly his body was found Bob Morrison and
in the sea ten days later. Harry was Mike Gormley
the third person to lose their life to the

66 Combat & Survival


This amateur photographer was
looking for his ‘perfect storm’ shot on
The Cobb at Lyme ... and almost came
a cropper - that is the same quayside
lamppost as in image 2
[Mike]
waves around the Devon and Cornwall
shores over the course of just three
days.
It may be obvious if fishing from
rocks that there is a potential danger
from freak waves, but familiarity often
breeds contempt and treating the sea
with contempt is a very dangerous
thing indeed. Possibly not so obvious
are the dangers posed by landslips
when walking coastal paths or along
the shoreline beneath unstable cliffs,
and losing one’s footing on a blustery
day on soggy grass or wet rocks and
taking a tumble is as easy as falling
off a log. So never, ever, take wind and
sea for granted. Your loved ones may
regret it if you do.
Cliff erosion at Sidmouth, just
down the coast from Lyme - the
red dot in the middle-ground
on the beach is a walker taking
a stroll one windy but sunny
lunchtime [Bob]
3
3: Great light for taking
dramatic photographs but
unless you understand
the sea and the tides
it can be much more
dangerous than it looks
[Mike]
4: Just one minute later
at Sidmouth, looking off
to the right, and that blue
sky has gone - the tide
may be on the ebb but the
strengthening wind might
be enough to dislodge
those unstable cliffs
[Bob]
Combat & Survival 67
 Looking westerly from Burrow Mount over the village of Burrow
Bridge - the village of East Lyng (see Comms on Page 5) is two miles
distant on the left at the end of the flooded straight road
Somerset Floods

To the southeast of Burrow Mump the overflowing River Parrett

has turned the Somerset Moors from wetlands into a massive lake
stretching about four miles across almost to Langport
Images ©
Bob Morrison

68 Combat & Survival

 Footwear Review

In the knowledge that not all

C&S readers are going to be
in the fortunate position of
being issued with £150 a pair
Military or Police boots by
their employer and that some
will have to dig into their own
wallet if they want more than
a low specification work boot
on their feet, this month we
are looking at a variation of
a highly popular black patrol
boot costing less than half
that price. Marketed under the
5.11 brand, the Speed 2.0 is
an easy to put on and remove
This boot also features the 5.11 Shock
derivative of the American
Mitigation System, which is lightweight
company’s 8-inch ATAC boot.
with superior compression and rebound,

A
resulting in comfort, stability and optimal
vailable online from military1st.
speed. There is also semi-rigid heel and
co.uk, I would describe this one
toe reinforcement, cushioning insole
as being of pretty much conven-
foam and a non-metallic shank; the
tional ‘cop boot’ in design and it
latter, like the plastic lace eyelets, being
is definitely aimed at the black uniform
a boon for those in professions whose
boot wearer, be that in the security or
footwear should not contain metal.
first responder fields. The boot has
a combination of leather and nylon
Outwardly this boot looks smart,
uppers married to an oil-resistant and
and especially so if you keep the full
slip-resistant sole, with an antibacte-
grain leather toecap highly polished,
rial and moisture-wicking lining, open
but initially I suspected its chunky
cell foam cushioning and an injection-
appearance might mean it was difficult
moulded phylon midsole.
to break in. I need not have worried,

70 Combat & Survival


because these boots are much more
comfortable than one might suspect
from their slightly dated appearance
and I spent several hours in them on
the first day without them feeling like
brand new boots. One sales pitch
claims that you will “feel like you are
wearing running shoes because 5.11
designed these boots to be fast” - not
as far-fetched as one might think, even
though they are not anywhere near as
light as some of the latest generation
composite styles; but at half the price
you cannot really expect them to be.
The lacing system on these boots is
again pretty conventional in design, with
eight eyelets each side and a central
One for that will not tape loop to prevent the soft tongue
break the bank, this slipping, but the full-length straight
8-inch black patrol boot YKK side zip makes them easy to
from 5.11 aimed at put on or take off without needing to
tie or untie laces. The sole is 5.11’s
security officers and
own ATAC composite pattern, with
first responders has relatively open tread which seems to
leather and nylon uppers, self-clean quite well, and the material
a polishable toecap, an is quite a grippy compound which is
ATAC sole and YKK side what one would expect of a police
zip which makes it easy patrol boot. For more check out
to put on in a hurry military1st.co.uk
Combat & Survival 71
 Security Industry
The Winter Olympic Games are
to be held in Sochi in Russia
shortly and are expected to
have thousands of visitors
from around the world, which
will be a huge boost for the
local economy. But the main
concern of both Russians
and foreigners alike is the
security of the venues and
surrounding transportation
hubs, especially given the
rise of Islamic militancy in
the region and a spate of high
profile attacks.
S
o how safe is Sochi 2014 going
to be? We should remember that
in June 2013, the games were
threatened by Dokka Umarov,
who is leader of the Caucasus Emirate
militancy. The militancy has a sub-
group called the Riyad us-Saliheen
Martyrs’ Brigade which has been
responsible for many suicide attacks
in the past, including those on public
transport.
Recent attacks linked to Sochi have
included a Person Borne Improvised
Explosive Device (PBIED) attack on
the 21st October 2013 in Volgograd,
in which a female suicide operative
(Naida Asiyalova) detonated her
device on a bus. This incident killed
six and injured at least 28. The device
functioned on a main road surrounded
by open ground whilst the bus was on
its way to a district which contained a
cinema and several busy parks, which
would be an obvious target in line with
current Islamist extremism tactics.
This would suggest that the device
detonated prematurely due to a fault
or that Naida detonated due to being
discovered.
The comparatively low casualty rate
would suggest that she was sat down
in a seat or that it was a small device
SOCHI 2014
How Safe Are The
Winter Olympics?
- By Robert Shaw
72 Combat & Survival
(perhaps to avoid being obvious). Of operating from Volgograd or the
(OPTIMALRISK.COM) IS A FORMER BRITISH ARMY ATO AND IEDD/
WIS OPERATOR TURNED EOD THREAT AND COUNTER-IED TRAINER
course, the device might have been surrounding area.
detonated anywhere within the city,
just to create fear and highlight the So we know that the very people that
vulnerabilities of the transport system to have threatened the games are quite
ROBERT SHAW OF OPTIMAL RISK MANAGEMENT LTD.
both Russians and westerners alike or capable of producing viable IEDs and
because the city itself, previously known that they have motivated attackers, but
as Stalingrad, has a strong connection how easy is it to attack the games?
IMAGE © BOB MORRISON : MILITARY SCENE
with national pride and, due to its role Although the incidents in Volgograd
in World War Two, is a symbol of the are being linked to the games, the
strength of the nation’s armed forces. Sochi area is in fact 1,000km away.
The Russian security service, the FSB,
The next major attack was on the 29th will be just as efficient as it was when
of December, when a male wearing it was known as the KGB and since
a PBIED detonated his device at the current Russian president Vladimir
Volgograd rail station, killing 18 and Putin was a former KGB officer we can
AND CONSULTANT.
injuring 40. The station had security assume that it is well funded, supported
equipment in place and operational politically and resourced accordingly.
(which might have been a surprise to
the Islamist terrorist) and therefore the Since the Russians are going to be
device may have been very security conscious over the games
triggered prematurely and will appreciate the spotlight is very
- the main concourse much upon them, plus the fact that
would have been the state controls the ground and the
more crowded and population’s ability to move around, it
the death toll would seem unlikely that there is a high
higher- or the risk of attack at the games venue itself.
number of This would make sense of the attacks
people occurring in Volgograd, which would
be seen as a softer target to attack
and yet will still have a psychological
effect and create security concerns on
the populations of both Russia and the
West.
However, just as our security and
intelligence agencies are finding
in the West, the threat has evolved
concentrated and we now see a growing number
at the choke of attacks carried out by converts
point created to Islam (including two of the three
by the security suicide bombers in the above attacks)
arrangements might which brings the problem of identifying
have been enough of a target. This terrorists, unless they have been
attack was followed a day later, when spotted by intelligence agencies at
another male Islamist with a PBIED an early stage of that process (by
detonated on a bus, killing 16 people having Mosques and radical Imams
and injuring 20. The devices were under surveillance). If the terrorists do
all linked in subsequent forensic not seem Islamic and are not known,
investigation, which shows a cell they may certainly get closer to Sochi
but getting explosives and weapons
through the security checkpoints
might be a little bit more
difficult, to say the least.
Putin has also
embarked on military
operations in the
Caucasus which will
disrupt and displace
potential attacks to
Sochi; but the bottom
line is really that one
cannot stop every attack.
The terrorists only have to
be “lucky once” and so the US
State Department are concerned
enough to have put into place
evacuation plans.
74 Combat & Survival