Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked)
Encyclopedia
The Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) —or CVR(T)—is a family of armoured fighting vehicle
s (AFV)s in service with the British Army
and others throughout the world. They are small, highly mobile air transportable armoured vehicles designed to replace the Alvis Saladin
armoured car.
First designed by Alvis
in the 1960s, the CVR(T) family includes Scorpion
and Scimitar
light reconnaissance tanks, Spartan
armoured personnel carriers (APC)s, Sultan
command and control vehicle, Samaritan
armoured ambulance, Striker
anti–tank guided missile vehicle and Samson
armoured recovery vehicle. All members of the CVR(T) family were designed to share common automotive components and suspension; aluminium
armour was selected to keep the weight down. By 1996 more than 3,500 had been built for British Army use and export.
Scorpion and Striker have now been withdrawn from British Army service. Scimitar and Spartan are expected to be replaced by newer vehicles from the Future Rapid Effect System
programme and the Panther Command and Liaison Vehicle.
.
In 1960 work began on what was called the Armoured Vehicle Reconnaissance. The vehicle would mount a 76 or 105 mm main gun in a limited traverse turret
, which also housed the three-man crew; namely: driver, gunner and commander. An anti–armour capability would be met by a Swingfire
missile system (then under development), mounted at the rear. The design would come in both tracked and wheeled versions and share the same engine and transmission as the FV432
APC. The final weight of the prototype was over 13 tons, which exceeded the weight limit if it was to be to be transported by air.
To reduce weight, aluminium
armour was selected instead of steel; research revealed that it provided greater protection from artillery shell-splinters because of its density. To fit inside the transport aircraft of the time, the vehicle's height had to be less than 2.5 metre, its width had to be less than 2.102 metre. To meet the ground pressure requirement of five psi
, the tracks had to be 0.45 metre wide. The width also dictated the engine used had to fit next to a driver in full winter clothing. The engine compartment could only be 0.6 metre wide. No tank engines in production or development at the time were suitable except one, the Jaguar
4.2-litre petrol engine.
The driver, being located at the front of the vehicle alongside the engine, dictated that the turret would have to be at the rear. The fire support version, armed with a 76 mm gun, was named Scorpion as the rear-mounted turret suggested a sting in the tail. Following the example of Alvis predecessor vehicles Saladin
, Stalwart
and Saracen
, all CVRTs started with the letter 'S'. The other vehicles were named to reflect their function; Striker anti–tank guided weapons, Spartan armoured personnel carrier; Samaritan ambulance; Sultan command and control and Samson recovery vehicles. In addition the British General Staff had requested another vehicle armed with a 30 mm cannon which became Scimitar.
In 1967 Alvis were awarded the contract to produce 30 CVR(T) prototypes. Vehicles P1–P17 being the Scorpion prototypes, P18–P30 were prototypes of the other six CVR(T) versions.
Having to work under strict cost limitations imposed by the Ministry of Defence
, the first prototype was completed on time and within budget on 23 January 1969, after extensive hot and cold weather trials in Norway, Australia, Canada and Abu Dhabi
.
In May 1970, the CVR(T) was accepted into British Army service; a contract was agreed for 275 Scorpions and 288 Scimitars. The first production Scorpion being completed in 1971, initial delivery to the British Army was in January 1972.
By 1986 the United Kingdom had taken delivery of 1,863 CVR(T)s. Total production for the British Army was 313 Scorpions, 89 Strikers, 691 Spartans, 50 Samaritans, 291 Sultans, 95 Samsons and 334 Scimitars.
petrol engine by a more fuel efficient Cummins
BTA 5.9 diesel engine.
A second contract for 70 vehicles was divided between Alvis and the Army Base Repair Organisation (ABRO).
ABRO was then contracted to upgrade about 600 of the remaining CVR(T)s to the LEP standard.
Alvis also offered a comprehensive upgrade for the export version of the CVR(T), which includes a diesel engine, upgraded suspension, new track and vision enhancements. Brunei is the only country known to have returned vehicles for an overhaul.
won the contract for the Battle Group Thermal Imaging (BGTI) programme. The contract will replace the image intensification sights installed on British Army Scimitar and Royal Engineers
Spartan vehicles. They were replaced by a new gunner's sight with a day thermal
image and laser rangefinder sight. The vehicle commander will have a monitor and a map display and the driver a navigation capability.
was originally developed to meet a British Army requirement for the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked). Scorpion was accepted by the British Army in May 1970, with a contract for 275 which later rose to 313 vehicles. Main armament consisted of a low velocity 76mm main gun with a coaxial 7.62 mm GPMG and multi barrelled smoke grenade dischargers. The first production vehicles were completed in 1972. The first British regiment to be equipped with the Scorpion were the Blues and Royals
of the Household Cavalry
in 1973.
In November 1981, the RAF Regiment
took delivery of the first of 184 Scorpions and other variants of CVR(T). These were to be used for airfield defence and served at RAF bases in the United Kingdom, Germany and Cyprus. All British Scorpions were withdrawn from service in 1995.
The FV102 Striker
was the Anti-tank guided missile
version of the CVR(T). The British Army ordered 48 of the version, which were armed with the Swingfire
missile system. Striker had five missiles ready to fire in a mounting at the rear of the vehicle, with another five stowed inside. Secondary armament consisted of a commanders 7.62 mm GPMG and multi-barrelled smoke grenade dischargers. Striker looked very similar to Spartan in appearance and it was only when the missile tubes were raised that identification was easier. Striker is no longer in service since the Swingfire missile was replaced by the Javelin
in mid–2005.
The FV103 Spartan
is a small APC
; it can carry seven men in all, the crew of three and four others in the rear compartment. In the British Army it is used to carry small specialised groups such as engineer reconnaissance teams, air defence sections and mortar fire controllers. In mid-2006 the British Army had 478 Spartans in service, which from 2009 were being replaced by the Panther Command and Liaison Vehicle in some roles.
is the ambulance
version of the CVR(T), 50 were produced for the British Army. In appearance it is similar to the Sultan Command and Control vehicle. It has a crew of two and capacity for three stretchers; being an ambulance it is not armed except for multi-barrelled smoke grenade dischargers.
The FV105 Sultan
is the British Army command and control vehicle based on the CVR(T) platform, 205 were in service in 2006. It has a higher roof than the APC variants, providing a more comfortable "office space" inside. A large vertical map board and desk are located along one side, with a bench seat for three people facing it. Forward of this are positions for the radio operator with provision for four radios and the vehicle commander. Armament consists of a pintle mounted GPMG and multi-barrelled smoke grenade dischargers. The back of the vehicle is designed to be extended by an attached tent to form a briefing area.
is an armoured recovery vehicle
. The hull of the Spartan was adapted to contain a winch which was operated to the rear of the vehicle. A hinged spade anchor was designed in two halves to preserve access to the rear door.
is very similar to the Scorpion but carries the 30mm RARDEN
cannon for self-defence. Secondary armament consists of a coaxial GPMG and multi-barrelled smoke grenade dischargers. Stowage is provided for 160 rounds of 30 mm and 3,000 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition. In 2006 the British Army had 328 in service. which are expected to be replaced by the scout version of the Future Rapid Effect System
.
was a hybrid vehicle, with the turret from a Fox Armoured Reconnaissance Vehicle
on a FV101 Scorpion
hull and armed with the same 30mm RARDEN cannon as the Scimitar. One hundred and thirty-six of the hybrid vehicles were brought into service in 1995, after some modifications were made to the turret. These modifications included; redesigning the smoke grenade dischargers, replacing the standard machine gun with a L94A1 chain gun and domed hatches to improve headroom for the commander and gunner. They were assigned to reconnaissance platoons of armoured and mechanised infantry battalions before being withdrawn from service in 2004.
vehicles used to represent opposing forces in training exercises at the British Army Training Unit Suffield
.
was originally designed as a private venture in the 1970s as an APC, using the CVR(T) range as a starting point. It is a larger, heavier (12,700 kg) vehicle with steel and aluminium armour. Production began in 1982 and Malaysia ordered 25 of the APC variant.
The British Army selected Stormer in 1986 to carry the Starstreak missile
anti–aircraft system and a flatbed version fitted with the Shielder minelaying system
.
BAE Land Systems, the descendant of Alvis military vehicles, market Stormer with various weapon systems for many purposes. Indonesia have received about 50 Stormer variants, including the APC, command post vehicle, ambulance, recovery, bridge-layers and logistics vehicle. Malaya have 35, Oman four and the United Kingdom have over 170.
s which are the Household Cavalry
, 1st Queen's Dragoon Guards, 9th/12th Royal Lancers
, Light Dragoons, Queen's Royal Lancers and the Queen's Own Yeomanry
. Scimitars are also used by one of the four squadrons in an armoured regiment and the reconnaissance platoons of armoured infantry battalions.
In August 1974, Scorpions from A Squadron 16th/5th The Queen's Royal Lancers
, were transported by C-130 Hercules
to Cyprus, to protect the British Sovereign Base Areas
during the Turkish invasion
.
During the Falklands War
in 1982, two troops from B Squadron, Blues and Royals
were attached to the task force. They were equipped with four Scorpions and four Scimitars supported by a Samson and were the only armoured vehicles used in action by the British Army during the conflict. The two troops deployed provided fire support for the 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment
during the Battle of Wireless Ridge
and for 2nd Battalion Scots Guards
during the Battle of Mount Tumbledown
.
By the time of the Gulf war
, the CVR(T) was well established in the British Army and all versions were deployed. The divisional reconnaissance regiment attached to the 1st Armoured Division, the 16th/5th The Queen's Royal Lancers were equipped with 36 Scimitars, 16 Strikers, 12 Spartans, nine Sultans and four Samaritans. A Squadron 1st Queen's Dragoon Guards had 16 Scorpions, four Spartans, two Sultans, one Samaritan and one Samson. The armoured regiments and armoured infantry battalions reconnaissance troops also had eight Scorpions or Scimitars each.
The CVR(T) family were deployed with the British Army's formation reconnaissance regiments– part of the NATO Implementation Force (IFOR), a multinational force in Bosnia and Herzegovina
.
The next deployment for the British Army's CVR(T)s was the 2003 invasion of Iraq
(Operation Telic
). The initial force contained the 1st Queen's Dragoon Guards and D Squadron, the Household Cavalry
, both equipped with CVR(T).
After Iraq, CVR(T) equipped formation reconnaissance regiments have taken part in Operation Herrick
in Afghanistan, notably during Operation Panther's Claw
with the Light Dragoons.
The Belgian Army
ordered CVR(T) in the Scorpion, Scimitar, Sultan, Spartan and Samaritan versions which were delivered in 1975. They were used by the 1st/3rd Lancers Regiment
and the 2nd/4th Regiment Mounted Rifles
, both part of the 7th Brigade
. The Belgian Army used its CVR(T) vehicles on UN deployments in the Balkans and Somalia. Belgium had disposed of all its CVR(T)s by the late 1990's.
The Spanish Marines obtained 17 Scorpions in 1985. All their Scorpions had been disposed of by 2004.
The Irish Army
obtained a small number of Scorpions for use by the Irish Army Cavalry Corps
. As the United Kingdom, Belgium and Spain have all disposed of their Scorpions, Ireland remains the sole user of the type in Europe.
The Chilean Army
have 28 Scorpions, which are used in a reconnaissance role alongside Leopard 1 and Leopard 2
tanks.
The Venezuelan Army operates a fleet of 50 Scorpion 90s and two Sultans.
Brunei is understood to have a fleet of 19 CVR(T)s, which comprises 16 Scorpions, two Sultan command post variants and one Samson armoured recovery vehicle.
The Indonesian Army
uses the Scorpion 90 armed with the Belgian 90mm Cockerill cannon and the Stormer. The Stormer variants include the APC, command post vehicle, ambulance, recovery, bridge-layers and logistics vehicle.
The Malaysian Royal Armoured Corps
of the Malaysian Army
is known to use both Scorpion and the newer Stormer.
The Royal Thai Army was forced to expand its forces after the fall of South Vietnam
and the increased tension in the area. As part of this expansion, they obtained 144 Scorpions between 1973 and 1976.
The Philippine Army
operates up to 40 Scorpions in its Light Armor Division
.
This formation uses a mixture of wheeled and tracked vehicles but the Scorpion is the only fire support or anti-armour vehicle in their inventory.
The New Zealand Army
operated a small number of Scorpions, up to squadron strength. These have now been replaced by newer vehicles.
The Iranian army
deployed its Scorpions with the reconnaissance regiment of the 28th Infantry Division in the 1980–1988 Iran–Iraq War. Little is known of how they performed or what losses they incurred. In December 1997, it was reported that Iran had manufactured a light tank named Tosan
. Tosan was equipped with a 90 mm gun and appears to be based on the Scorpion.
The Royal Jordanian Land Force
has obtained 80 Scorpions and 100 Spartans. Some of the Scorpions are reported to have been captured by Iraq during the Iran–Iraq war and handed on to Jordan.The Spartans were obtained when Belgium disposed of their CVR(T) fleet.
The Royal Army of Oman
replaced the Saladin armoured car with between 30 and 50 Scorpions. They were delivered between 1982 and 1983, along with three Samson armoured recovery vehicles. In 1985 a second order for up to 30 vehicles was delivered. The second order included Scorpion, Sultan, Spartan and Samson vehicles. Oman operates the newer Stormer.
The United Arab Emirates Army
has obtained 76 Scorpions, for use by its armoured brigades. It is not known if these played any part in the Gulf War
.
The Nigerian Army
reorganised from an infantry to an all arms formation after 1979. Part of their AFV inventory includes an unknown number of Scorpions.
The Australian Army
did not use CVR(T)s but did use the turret of the Scorpion mounted on top of M113 armored personnel carrier
s. Known in the Australian Army as the Medium Reconnaissance Vehicle, they were used in a fire support role. They have now been replaced by newer vehicles.
The Canadian Army also used the Scorpion turret. They were mounted on the AVGP Cougar
. A total of 195 Cougars were originally procured, but the fleet was reduced to 100 vehicles in 1999 and are now exclusively employed by reserve armoured units.
, the British Army upgraded several Scimitar light tanks to Mark 2 standard. The improvements included a new aluminium hull based on that of the Spartan troop carrier, which provides greater internal volume and protection, and a new fuel system, environmental control system and suspension. New hulls have also been built for the Spartan, Sultan, Samson and Samaritan variants.
The South African firm OVIK has designed a vehicle named "Meercat" based on the CVR(T), anticipating that large numbers of these will become available for refurbishment in future years when they are replaced in British service, and perhaps several other armed forces. The hull has been redesigned, and the driver has been moved back into a central cupola, shared with the other two crew members. The engine has been replaced by a Cummins 5.9 litre or 6.7 litre diesel engine. The turret has been removed and will be replaced by a modular weapon "cassette", which will mount remote weapon stations armed with a .50 M2 HB machine gun for example.
Armoured fighting vehicle
An armoured fighting vehicle is a combat vehicle, protected by strong armour and armed with weapons. AFVs can be wheeled or tracked....
s (AFV)s in service with the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
and others throughout the world. They are small, highly mobile air transportable armoured vehicles designed to replace the Alvis Saladin
Alvis Saladin
The Saladin is a six-wheeled armoured car built by Alvis, and fitted with a 76mm gun.Used extensively by the British Army, it replaced the AEC Armoured Car that had been in service since World War II.-History:...
armoured car.
First designed by Alvis
Alvis plc
Alvis Ltd. was created when United Scientific Holdings plc acquired the Alvis division of the nationalised vehicle manufacturer British Leyland in 1981. United Scientific maintained its own name until 1992 when the group was renamed Alvis plc. Alvis acquired Swedish armoured vehicle manufacturer...
in the 1960s, the CVR(T) family includes Scorpion
FV101 Scorpion
The FV101 Scorpion is a British armoured reconnaissance vehicle. It was the lead vehicle and the fire support type in the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance , CVR, family of seven armoured vehicles...
and Scimitar
FV107 Scimitar
FV107 Scimitar is an armoured reconnaissance vehicle used by the British Army. It is very similar to the FV101 Scorpion but mounts a high velocity 30 mm L21 RARDEN cannon instead of a 76 mm gun. It was issued to Royal Armoured Corps, Armoured Regiments in the Reconnaissance role...
light reconnaissance tanks, Spartan
FV103 Spartan
FV103 Spartan is a tracked armoured personnel carrier of the British Army. It was developed as the APC variant of the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance family. The vehicle can carry up to 7 personnel, including 3 crew members. Armed with a single machine gun, it is almost indistinguishable from the...
armoured personnel carriers (APC)s, Sultan
FV105 Sultan
FV105 Sultan is a British Army command and control vehicle based on the CVR platform. It has a higher roof than the APC variants, providing a more comfortable "office space" inside. This contains a large vertical map board and desk along one side, with a bench seat for three people facing it...
command and control vehicle, Samaritan
FV104 Samaritan
The FV104 Samaritan is the British Army armoured ambulance variant of the CVR family. It has a capacity for up to 6 casualties.The Samaritan is one of the variants of the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance family of armoured fighting vehicles developed by Alvis plc for the British military....
armoured ambulance, Striker
FV102 Striker
The FV102 Striker was the anti-tank guided missile carrier in the CVR family and served in the British Army.-Overview:FV102 Striker was the Swingfire wire guided anti-tank missile carrying member of the CVR family. The FV102 Striker was externally very similar to the FV103 Spartan but carried five...
anti–tank guided missile vehicle and Samson
FV106 Samson
FV106 Samson is a British Army armoured recovery vehicle, one of the CVR family. The main role of this vehicle is to recover the CVR family of vehicles, but can recover other light tracked vehicles such as the FV430 series.-Design and features:...
armoured recovery vehicle. All members of the CVR(T) family were designed to share common automotive components and suspension; aluminium
Aluminium
Aluminium or aluminum is a silvery white member of the boron group of chemical elements. It has the symbol Al, and its atomic number is 13. It is not soluble in water under normal circumstances....
armour was selected to keep the weight down. By 1996 more than 3,500 had been built for British Army use and export.
Scorpion and Striker have now been withdrawn from British Army service. Scimitar and Spartan are expected to be replaced by newer vehicles from the Future Rapid Effect System
Future Rapid Effect System
The Future Rapid Effect System is the British MOD programme to deliver a fleet of more than 4,000 armoured fighting vehicles for the British Army...
programme and the Panther Command and Liaison Vehicle.
Design and development
In the early 1960s, the United Kingdom's overseas commitments were proving costly to garrison and a drain on the defence budget. A new strategy was proposed, that troops and equipment would be airlifted to trouble-spots from their bases in Europe. To support the air-landed troops, a requirement was identified for an AFV that could provide fire support with an anti-armour capability and be light enough to be airportable. At the same time consideration was being given to the replacement of the Saladin armoured carAlvis Saladin
The Saladin is a six-wheeled armoured car built by Alvis, and fitted with a 76mm gun.Used extensively by the British Army, it replaced the AEC Armoured Car that had been in service since World War II.-History:...
.
In 1960 work began on what was called the Armoured Vehicle Reconnaissance. The vehicle would mount a 76 or 105 mm main gun in a limited traverse turret
Gun laying
Gun laying is the process of aiming an artillery piece, such as a gun, howitzer or mortar on land or at sea against surface or air targets. It may be laying for direct fire, where the gun is aimed similarly to a rifle, or indirect fire, where firing data is calculated and applied to the sights...
, which also housed the three-man crew; namely: driver, gunner and commander. An anti–armour capability would be met by a Swingfire
Swingfire
Swingfire was a British wire-guided anti-tank missile developed in the 1960s and produced from 1966 until 1993.-Development:Swingfire was developed by Fairey Engineering Ltd and the British Aircraft Corporation. It replaced the Vickers Vigilant missile in British service...
missile system (then under development), mounted at the rear. The design would come in both tracked and wheeled versions and share the same engine and transmission as the FV432
FV432
The FV432 is the armoured personnel carrier variant of the British Army's FV430 series of armoured fighting vehicles. Since its introduction in the 1960s it has been the most common variant, being used for transporting infantry on the battlefield...
APC. The final weight of the prototype was over 13 tons, which exceeded the weight limit if it was to be to be transported by air.
To reduce weight, aluminium
Aluminium
Aluminium or aluminum is a silvery white member of the boron group of chemical elements. It has the symbol Al, and its atomic number is 13. It is not soluble in water under normal circumstances....
armour was selected instead of steel; research revealed that it provided greater protection from artillery shell-splinters because of its density. To fit inside the transport aircraft of the time, the vehicle's height had to be less than 2.5 metre, its width had to be less than 2.102 metre. To meet the ground pressure requirement of five psi
Pounds per square inch
The pound per square inch or, more accurately, pound-force per square inch is a unit of pressure or of stress based on avoirdupois units...
, the tracks had to be 0.45 metre wide. The width also dictated the engine used had to fit next to a driver in full winter clothing. The engine compartment could only be 0.6 metre wide. No tank engines in production or development at the time were suitable except one, the Jaguar
Jaguar (car)
Jaguar Cars Ltd, known simply as Jaguar , is a British luxury car manufacturer, headquartered in Whitley, Coventry, England. It is part of the Jaguar Land Rover business, a subsidiary of the Indian company Tata Motors....
4.2-litre petrol engine.
The driver, being located at the front of the vehicle alongside the engine, dictated that the turret would have to be at the rear. The fire support version, armed with a 76 mm gun, was named Scorpion as the rear-mounted turret suggested a sting in the tail. Following the example of Alvis predecessor vehicles Saladin
Alvis Saladin
The Saladin is a six-wheeled armoured car built by Alvis, and fitted with a 76mm gun.Used extensively by the British Army, it replaced the AEC Armoured Car that had been in service since World War II.-History:...
, Stalwart
Alvis Stalwart (FV620)
The FV 620 Stalwart, informally known by servicemen as the 'Stolly', is a highly mobile amphibious military truck built by Alvis that served with the British Army.-History:...
and Saracen
Alvis Saracen
The FV603 Saracen is a six-wheeled armoured personnel carrier built by Alvis and used by the British army. It became a recognisable vehicle as a result of its part in the policing of Northern Ireland.-History:...
, all CVRTs started with the letter 'S'. The other vehicles were named to reflect their function; Striker anti–tank guided weapons, Spartan armoured personnel carrier; Samaritan ambulance; Sultan command and control and Samson recovery vehicles. In addition the British General Staff had requested another vehicle armed with a 30 mm cannon which became Scimitar.
In 1967 Alvis were awarded the contract to produce 30 CVR(T) prototypes. Vehicles P1–P17 being the Scorpion prototypes, P18–P30 were prototypes of the other six CVR(T) versions.
Having to work under strict cost limitations imposed by the Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)
The Ministry of Defence is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters of the British Armed Forces....
, the first prototype was completed on time and within budget on 23 January 1969, after extensive hot and cold weather trials in Norway, Australia, Canada and Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi , literally Father of Gazelle, is the capital and the second largest city of the United Arab Emirates in terms of population and the largest of the seven member emirates of the United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi lies on a T-shaped island jutting into the Persian Gulf from the central western...
.
In May 1970, the CVR(T) was accepted into British Army service; a contract was agreed for 275 Scorpions and 288 Scimitars. The first production Scorpion being completed in 1971, initial delivery to the British Army was in January 1972.
By 1986 the United Kingdom had taken delivery of 1,863 CVR(T)s. Total production for the British Army was 313 Scorpions, 89 Strikers, 691 Spartans, 50 Samaritans, 291 Sultans, 95 Samsons and 334 Scimitars.
Life Extension Programme
In 1988 Alvis plc was awarded a £32 million contract to carry out a Life Extension Programme (LEP). The initial contract was for 200 CVR(T)s and supply kits for a further 1,107 vehicles. The LEP was carried out on the Scimitar and Sabre reconnaissance vehicles, Spartan APCs, Sultan command post vehicles, Samson recovery vehicles, Samaritan ambulances and the Striker anti–tank vehicle. The major part of this upgrade is the replacement of the current Jaguar 4.2-litreJaguar (car)
Jaguar Cars Ltd, known simply as Jaguar , is a British luxury car manufacturer, headquartered in Whitley, Coventry, England. It is part of the Jaguar Land Rover business, a subsidiary of the Indian company Tata Motors....
petrol engine by a more fuel efficient Cummins
Cummins
Cummins Inc. is a Fortune 500 corporation that designs, manufactures, distributes and services engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission control and electrical power generation systems...
BTA 5.9 diesel engine.
A second contract for 70 vehicles was divided between Alvis and the Army Base Repair Organisation (ABRO).
ABRO was then contracted to upgrade about 600 of the remaining CVR(T)s to the LEP standard.
Alvis also offered a comprehensive upgrade for the export version of the CVR(T), which includes a diesel engine, upgraded suspension, new track and vision enhancements. Brunei is the only country known to have returned vehicles for an overhaul.
Battle Group Thermal Imaging programme
In 2001 Thales OptronicsThales Optronics
Thales Optronics is a major unit of Thales Group and has three main subsidiaries, Thales Optronics Ltd. , Thales Optronique SA and Thales Optronics B.V....
won the contract for the Battle Group Thermal Imaging (BGTI) programme. The contract will replace the image intensification sights installed on British Army Scimitar and Royal Engineers
Royal Engineers
The Corps of Royal Engineers, usually just called the Royal Engineers , and commonly known as the Sappers, is one of the corps of the British Army....
Spartan vehicles. They were replaced by a new gunner's sight with a day thermal
Thermographic camera
A thermographic camera or infrared camera is a device that forms an image using infrared radiation, similar to a common camera that forms an image using visible light...
image and laser rangefinder sight. The vehicle commander will have a monitor and a map display and the driver a navigation capability.
Scorpion
The FV101 ScorpionFV101 Scorpion
The FV101 Scorpion is a British armoured reconnaissance vehicle. It was the lead vehicle and the fire support type in the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance , CVR, family of seven armoured vehicles...
was originally developed to meet a British Army requirement for the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked). Scorpion was accepted by the British Army in May 1970, with a contract for 275 which later rose to 313 vehicles. Main armament consisted of a low velocity 76mm main gun with a coaxial 7.62 mm GPMG and multi barrelled smoke grenade dischargers. The first production vehicles were completed in 1972. The first British regiment to be equipped with the Scorpion were the Blues and Royals
Blues and Royals
The Blues and Royals is a cavalry regiment of the British Army, part of the Household Cavalry. The Colonel-in-Chief is Her Majesty The Queen and the Colonel is HRH The Princess Royal...
of the Household Cavalry
Household Cavalry
The term Household Cavalry is used across the Commonwealth to describe the cavalry of the Household Divisions, a country’s most elite or historically senior military groupings or those military groupings that provide functions associated directly with the Head of state.Canada's Governor General's...
in 1973.
In November 1981, the RAF Regiment
RAF Regiment
The Royal Air Force Regiment is a specialist airfield defence corps founded by Royal Warrant in 1942. After a 32 week trainee gunner course, its members are trained and equipped to prevent a successful enemy attack in the first instance; minimise the damage caused by a successful attack; and...
took delivery of the first of 184 Scorpions and other variants of CVR(T). These were to be used for airfield defence and served at RAF bases in the United Kingdom, Germany and Cyprus. All British Scorpions were withdrawn from service in 1995.
Striker
FV102 Striker
The FV102 Striker was the anti-tank guided missile carrier in the CVR family and served in the British Army.-Overview:FV102 Striker was the Swingfire wire guided anti-tank missile carrying member of the CVR family. The FV102 Striker was externally very similar to the FV103 Spartan but carried five...
was the Anti-tank guided missile
Anti-tank guided missile
An anti-tank missile , anti-tank guided missile , anti-tank guided weapon or anti-armor guided weapon is a guided missile primarily designed to hit and destroy heavily-armored military vehicles....
version of the CVR(T). The British Army ordered 48 of the version, which were armed with the Swingfire
Swingfire
Swingfire was a British wire-guided anti-tank missile developed in the 1960s and produced from 1966 until 1993.-Development:Swingfire was developed by Fairey Engineering Ltd and the British Aircraft Corporation. It replaced the Vickers Vigilant missile in British service...
missile system. Striker had five missiles ready to fire in a mounting at the rear of the vehicle, with another five stowed inside. Secondary armament consisted of a commanders 7.62 mm GPMG and multi-barrelled smoke grenade dischargers. Striker looked very similar to Spartan in appearance and it was only when the missile tubes were raised that identification was easier. Striker is no longer in service since the Swingfire missile was replaced by the Javelin
FGM-148 Javelin
The FGM-148 Javelin is a United States-made man-portable third generation anti-tank missile fielded to replace the Dragon antitank missile.-Overview:Javelin is a fire-and-forget missile with lock-on before launch and automatic self-guidance...
in mid–2005.
Spartan
FV103 Spartan
FV103 Spartan is a tracked armoured personnel carrier of the British Army. It was developed as the APC variant of the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance family. The vehicle can carry up to 7 personnel, including 3 crew members. Armed with a single machine gun, it is almost indistinguishable from the...
is a small APC
Armoured personnel carrier
An armoured personnel carrier is an armoured fighting vehicle designed to transport infantry to the battlefield.APCs are usually armed with only a machine gun although variants carry recoilless rifles, anti-tank guided missiles , or mortars...
; it can carry seven men in all, the crew of three and four others in the rear compartment. In the British Army it is used to carry small specialised groups such as engineer reconnaissance teams, air defence sections and mortar fire controllers. In mid-2006 the British Army had 478 Spartans in service, which from 2009 were being replaced by the Panther Command and Liaison Vehicle in some roles.
Samaritan
The FV104 SamaritanFV104 Samaritan
The FV104 Samaritan is the British Army armoured ambulance variant of the CVR family. It has a capacity for up to 6 casualties.The Samaritan is one of the variants of the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance family of armoured fighting vehicles developed by Alvis plc for the British military....
is the ambulance
Ambulance
An ambulance is a vehicle for transportation of sick or injured people to, from or between places of treatment for an illness or injury, and in some instances will also provide out of hospital medical care to the patient...
version of the CVR(T), 50 were produced for the British Army. In appearance it is similar to the Sultan Command and Control vehicle. It has a crew of two and capacity for three stretchers; being an ambulance it is not armed except for multi-barrelled smoke grenade dischargers.
Sultan
FV105 Sultan
FV105 Sultan is a British Army command and control vehicle based on the CVR platform. It has a higher roof than the APC variants, providing a more comfortable "office space" inside. This contains a large vertical map board and desk along one side, with a bench seat for three people facing it...
is the British Army command and control vehicle based on the CVR(T) platform, 205 were in service in 2006. It has a higher roof than the APC variants, providing a more comfortable "office space" inside. A large vertical map board and desk are located along one side, with a bench seat for three people facing it. Forward of this are positions for the radio operator with provision for four radios and the vehicle commander. Armament consists of a pintle mounted GPMG and multi-barrelled smoke grenade dischargers. The back of the vehicle is designed to be extended by an attached tent to form a briefing area.
Samson
The FV106 SamsonFV106 Samson
FV106 Samson is a British Army armoured recovery vehicle, one of the CVR family. The main role of this vehicle is to recover the CVR family of vehicles, but can recover other light tracked vehicles such as the FV430 series.-Design and features:...
is an armoured recovery vehicle
Armoured recovery vehicle
An armoured recovery vehicle is a type of armoured fighting vehicle used to repair battle- or mine-damaged as well as broken-down armoured vehicles during combat, or to tow them out of the danger zone for more extensive repairs...
. The hull of the Spartan was adapted to contain a winch which was operated to the rear of the vehicle. A hinged spade anchor was designed in two halves to preserve access to the rear door.
Scimitar
The FV107 ScimitarFV107 Scimitar
FV107 Scimitar is an armoured reconnaissance vehicle used by the British Army. It is very similar to the FV101 Scorpion but mounts a high velocity 30 mm L21 RARDEN cannon instead of a 76 mm gun. It was issued to Royal Armoured Corps, Armoured Regiments in the Reconnaissance role...
is very similar to the Scorpion but carries the 30mm RARDEN
RARDEN
The L21A1 RARDEN is a British 30mm autocannon used as an combat vehicle weapon. The name is a contraction of the Royal Armament, Research and Development Establishment and Enfield...
cannon for self-defence. Secondary armament consists of a coaxial GPMG and multi-barrelled smoke grenade dischargers. Stowage is provided for 160 rounds of 30 mm and 3,000 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition. In 2006 the British Army had 328 in service. which are expected to be replaced by the scout version of the Future Rapid Effect System
Future Rapid Effect System
The Future Rapid Effect System is the British MOD programme to deliver a fleet of more than 4,000 armoured fighting vehicles for the British Army...
.
Sabre
The SabreSabre (tank)
Sabre is a variation of the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance , featuring the turret from a Fox reconnaissance vehicle mounted on the hull of a Scorpion....
was a hybrid vehicle, with the turret from a Fox Armoured Reconnaissance Vehicle
Fox Armoured Reconnaissance Vehicle
The FV721 Fox Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance was a 4x4 armoured car deployed by the British Army as a replacement for the Ferret scout car and the Saladin Armoured Car...
on a FV101 Scorpion
FV101 Scorpion
The FV101 Scorpion is a British armoured reconnaissance vehicle. It was the lead vehicle and the fire support type in the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance , CVR, family of seven armoured vehicles...
hull and armed with the same 30mm RARDEN cannon as the Scimitar. One hundred and thirty-six of the hybrid vehicles were brought into service in 1995, after some modifications were made to the turret. These modifications included; redesigning the smoke grenade dischargers, replacing the standard machine gun with a L94A1 chain gun and domed hatches to improve headroom for the commander and gunner. They were assigned to reconnaissance platoons of armoured and mechanised infantry battalions before being withdrawn from service in 2004.
Sturgeon and Salamander
Sturgeon (based on the Spartan) and Salamander (based on the Scorpion) are visually modifiedVismod
The term vismod is an abbreviation of the term visually modified, and is used by the elements of the United States Department of Defense to refer to any vehicle, aircraft, or other object that has been altered to simulate equipment used by an enemy for training purposes, often by specialized units...
vehicles used to represent opposing forces in training exercises at the British Army Training Unit Suffield
British Army Training Unit Suffield
The British Army Training Unit Suffield is a British Army unit located at the vast training area of Canadian Forces Base Suffield in Alberta, Canada...
.
Stormer
The Alvis StormerAlvis Stormer
Alvis Stormer is a modern military armoured vehicle manufactured by the British company, Alvis Vickers, now BAE Systems Global Combat Systems....
was originally designed as a private venture in the 1970s as an APC, using the CVR(T) range as a starting point. It is a larger, heavier (12,700 kg) vehicle with steel and aluminium armour. Production began in 1982 and Malaysia ordered 25 of the APC variant.
The British Army selected Stormer in 1986 to carry the Starstreak missile
Starstreak missile
Starstreak is a British short range surface-to-air missile manufactured by Thales Air Defence , in Belfast. It is also known as Starstreak HVM where HVM stands for "High Velocity Missile". After launch the missile accelerates to approximately Mach 3.5, at which point it launches three laser beam...
anti–aircraft system and a flatbed version fitted with the Shielder minelaying system
Shielder minelaying system
The Shielder minelaying system is used by the British Army to quickly create anti-tank barriers. The system is based on the American Alliant Techsystems M163 Volcano system. It was ordered in 1995 and was first deployed in 1999....
.
BAE Land Systems, the descendant of Alvis military vehicles, market Stormer with various weapon systems for many purposes. Indonesia have received about 50 Stormer variants, including the APC, command post vehicle, ambulance, recovery, bridge-layers and logistics vehicle. Malaya have 35, Oman four and the United Kingdom have over 170.
United Kingdom
In British Army service the CVR(T) is mainly used by the Formation reconnaissance regimentFormation reconnaissance regiment
The Formation Reconnaissance Regiment is one of two organisations currently provided by cavalry regiments of the British Army. Until recently, it was known as the Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment....
s which are the Household Cavalry
Household Cavalry
The term Household Cavalry is used across the Commonwealth to describe the cavalry of the Household Divisions, a country’s most elite or historically senior military groupings or those military groupings that provide functions associated directly with the Head of state.Canada's Governor General's...
, 1st Queen's Dragoon Guards, 9th/12th Royal Lancers
9th/12th Royal Lancers
The 9th/12th Royal Lancers is a cavalry regiment of the British Army, formed in 1960 by the amalgamation of the 9th Queen's Royal Lancers and the 12th Royal Lancers. It is currently a formation reconnaissance regiment, equipped with the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance family of vehicles and...
, Light Dragoons, Queen's Royal Lancers and the Queen's Own Yeomanry
Queen's Own Yeomanry
The Queen's Own Yeomanry is an armoured regiment of the British Territorial Army. The Queen's Own Yeomanry is the only Yeomanry regiment that serves in the formation reconnaissance role, equipped with the CVR family of armoured reconnaissance vehicles, including Scimitar and Spartan.On...
. Scimitars are also used by one of the four squadrons in an armoured regiment and the reconnaissance platoons of armoured infantry battalions.
In August 1974, Scorpions from A Squadron 16th/5th The Queen's Royal Lancers
16th/5th The Queen's Royal Lancers
The 16th/5th The Queen's Royal Lancers was a cavalry regiment of the British Army from 1922 to 1993.It was formed at Lucknow in India as 16th/5th Lancers by the amalgamation of two regiments, 16th The Queen's Lancers and 5th Royal Irish Lancers....
, were transported by C-130 Hercules
C-130 Hercules
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
to Cyprus, to protect the British Sovereign Base Areas
Sovereign Base Areas
The Sovereign Base Areas are military bases located on territory in which the United Kingdom is sovereign, but which are separated from the ordinary British territory....
during the Turkish invasion
Turkish invasion of Cyprus
The Turkish invasion of Cyprus, launched on 20 July 1974, was a Turkish military invasion in response to a Greek military junta backed coup in Cyprus...
.
During the Falklands War
Falklands War
The Falklands War , also called the Falklands Conflict or Falklands Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands...
in 1982, two troops from B Squadron, Blues and Royals
Blues and Royals
The Blues and Royals is a cavalry regiment of the British Army, part of the Household Cavalry. The Colonel-in-Chief is Her Majesty The Queen and the Colonel is HRH The Princess Royal...
were attached to the task force. They were equipped with four Scorpions and four Scimitars supported by a Samson and were the only armoured vehicles used in action by the British Army during the conflict. The two troops deployed provided fire support for the 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment
2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment
The Second Battalion, The Parachute Regiment is a battalion-sized formation of the British Army's Parachute Regiment and subordinate unit within 16th Air Assault Brigade whose Commanding Officer was Lieutenant Colonel Joseph O'Sullivan....
during the Battle of Wireless Ridge
Battle of Wireless Ridge
The Battle of Wireless Ridge was an engagement of the Falklands War which took place on the night of 13 June and 14 June 1982, between British and Argentine forces during the advance towards the Argentine-occupied capital of the Falklands Stanley. Wireless Ridge was one of seven strategic hills...
and for 2nd Battalion Scots Guards
Scots Guards
The Scots Guards is a regiment of the Guards Division of the British Army, whose origins lie in the personal bodyguard of King Charles I of England and Scotland...
during the Battle of Mount Tumbledown
Battle of Mount Tumbledown
The Battle of Mount Tumbledown was an engagement in the Falklands War, one of a series of battles that took place during the British advance towards Stanley.-Overview:...
.
By the time of the Gulf war
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
, the CVR(T) was well established in the British Army and all versions were deployed. The divisional reconnaissance regiment attached to the 1st Armoured Division, the 16th/5th The Queen's Royal Lancers were equipped with 36 Scimitars, 16 Strikers, 12 Spartans, nine Sultans and four Samaritans. A Squadron 1st Queen's Dragoon Guards had 16 Scorpions, four Spartans, two Sultans, one Samaritan and one Samson. The armoured regiments and armoured infantry battalions reconnaissance troops also had eight Scorpions or Scimitars each.
The CVR(T) family were deployed with the British Army's formation reconnaissance regiments– part of the NATO Implementation Force (IFOR), a multinational force in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
.
The next deployment for the British Army's CVR(T)s was the 2003 invasion of Iraq
2003 invasion of Iraq
The 2003 invasion of Iraq , was the start of the conflict known as the Iraq War, or Operation Iraqi Freedom, in which a combined force of troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland invaded Iraq and toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein in 21 days of major combat operations...
(Operation Telic
Operation Telic
Operation TELIC was the codename under which all British military operations in Iraq were conducted between the start of the Invasion of Iraq on 19 March 2003 and the withdrawal of the last remaining British forces on 22 May 2011...
). The initial force contained the 1st Queen's Dragoon Guards and D Squadron, the Household Cavalry
Household Cavalry
The term Household Cavalry is used across the Commonwealth to describe the cavalry of the Household Divisions, a country’s most elite or historically senior military groupings or those military groupings that provide functions associated directly with the Head of state.Canada's Governor General's...
, both equipped with CVR(T).
After Iraq, CVR(T) equipped formation reconnaissance regiments have taken part in Operation Herrick
Operation Herrick
Operation Herrick is the codename under which all British operations in the war in Afghanistan have been conducted since 2002. It consists of the British contribution to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force and support to the US-led Operation Enduring Freedom...
in Afghanistan, notably during Operation Panther's Claw
Operation Panther's Claw
Operation Panchai Palang, or Panther's Claw, was a British-led military operation of the Afghan War in Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan. It aimed to secure various canal and river crossings to establish a permanent International Security Assistance Force presence in the area...
with the Light Dragoons.
Europe
Three other European countries used CVR(T): Belgium, Spain and Ireland.The Belgian Army
Belgian Army
The Land Component is organised using the concept of capacities, whereby units are gathered together according to their function and material. Within this framework, there are five capacities: the command capacity, the combat capacity, the support capacity, the services capacity and the training...
ordered CVR(T) in the Scorpion, Scimitar, Sultan, Spartan and Samaritan versions which were delivered in 1975. They were used by the 1st/3rd Lancers Regiment
1st/3rd Lancers Regiment
The 1st/3rd Lancers Regiment is a cavalry regiment in the Land Component of the Belgian Armed Forces. The regiment is a Mechanised Infantry battalion of the Medium Brigade....
and the 2nd/4th Regiment Mounted Rifles
2nd/4th Regiment Mounted Rifles
The 2nd/4th Regiment Mounted Rifles is a cavalry regiment in the Land Component of the Belgian Armed Forces. The regiment is the armoured reconnaissance regiment of the 7th Brigade.-History:...
, both part of the 7th Brigade
7th Brigade (Belgium)
The Light Brigade, formerly the 7th Mechanised Brigade, is a Brigade of the Land Component of the Belgian Armed Forces. Its headquarters is located in Marche-en-Famenne.-Organisation:The 7th Brigade comprises the following units:...
. The Belgian Army used its CVR(T) vehicles on UN deployments in the Balkans and Somalia. Belgium had disposed of all its CVR(T)s by the late 1990's.
The Spanish Marines obtained 17 Scorpions in 1985. All their Scorpions had been disposed of by 2004.
The Irish Army
Irish Army
The Irish Army, officially named simply the Army is the main branch of the Defence Forces of Ireland. Approximately 8,500 men and women serve in the Irish Army, divided into three infantry Brigades...
obtained a small number of Scorpions for use by the Irish Army Cavalry Corps
Irish Army Cavalry Corps
The Cavalry Corps is the armoured formation of the Irish Army. In peacetime the Cavalry carries out various duties in aid to the Civil Power, such as:* Border operations supporting Gardaí....
. As the United Kingdom, Belgium and Spain have all disposed of their Scorpions, Ireland remains the sole user of the type in Europe.
South and Central America
In South and Central America, CVR(T) operators included Chile, Honduras and Venezuela.The Chilean Army
Chilean Army
The Chilean Army is the land arm of the Military of Chile. This 45,000-person army is organized into seven divisions, a special operations brigade and an air brigade....
have 28 Scorpions, which are used in a reconnaissance role alongside Leopard 1 and Leopard 2
Leopard 2
The Leopard 2 is a main battle tank developed by Krauss-Maffei in the early 1970s for the West German Army. The tank first entered service in 1979 and succeeded the earlier Leopard 1 as the main battle tank of the German Army. Various versions have served in the armed forces of Germany and twelve...
tanks.
The Venezuelan Army operates a fleet of 50 Scorpion 90s and two Sultans.
South East Asia and the Pacific
In South East Asia and the Pacific, CVR(T) operators included Brunei, Indonesia, Malaya, Thailand, the Philippines and New Zealand.Brunei is understood to have a fleet of 19 CVR(T)s, which comprises 16 Scorpions, two Sultan command post variants and one Samson armoured recovery vehicle.
The Indonesian Army
Indonesian Army
The Indonesian Army , the land component of the Indonesian Armed Forces, has an estimated strength of 328,517 regular personnel. The force's history began in 1945 when the Tentara Keamanan Rakyat "Civil Security Forces" served as paramilitary and police.Since the nation's independence struggle,...
uses the Scorpion 90 armed with the Belgian 90mm Cockerill cannon and the Stormer. The Stormer variants include the APC, command post vehicle, ambulance, recovery, bridge-layers and logistics vehicle.
The Malaysian Royal Armoured Corps
Malaysian Royal Armoured Corps
The Royal Armoured Corps or Kor Armor Diraja is the armoured forces of the Malaysian Army.-History of formation:The Royal Malayaian Armoured Corps had its beginning with two army units formed by the British Administration headed by General Sir Gerald Templer who had initiated the formation during...
of the Malaysian Army
Malaysian Army
The Malaysian Army is the land component of the Malaysian Armed Forces. Steeped in British Army traditions, the Malaysian Army does not carry the title ‘royal’ as do the Royal Malaysian Air Force and the Royal Malaysian Navy...
is known to use both Scorpion and the newer Stormer.
The Royal Thai Army was forced to expand its forces after the fall of South Vietnam
South Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
and the increased tension in the area. As part of this expansion, they obtained 144 Scorpions between 1973 and 1976.
The Philippine Army
Philippine Army
The Philippine Army is the ground arm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines . Its official name in Tagalog is Hukbong Katihan ng Pilipinas. On July 23, 2010, President Benigno Aquino III appointed Maj. Gen...
operates up to 40 Scorpions in its Light Armor Division
Light Armor Division
The Light Armor Division, Philippine Army, known officially as the PALA Division, is the Philippine Army's only cavalry unit specializing in armored and mechanized deployment.-Mission:...
.
This formation uses a mixture of wheeled and tracked vehicles but the Scorpion is the only fire support or anti-armour vehicle in their inventory.
The New Zealand Army
New Zealand Army
The New Zealand Army , is the land component of the New Zealand Defence Force and comprises around 4,500 Regular Force personnel, 2,000 Territorial Force personnel and 500 civilians. Formerly the New Zealand Military Forces, the current name was adopted around 1946...
operated a small number of Scorpions, up to squadron strength. These have now been replaced by newer vehicles.
Middle East
In the Middle East CVR(T) operators included Iran, Jordan, Oman and the United Arab Emirates.The Iranian army
Islamic Republic of Iran Army
The Islamic Republic of Iran Army is the ground force of the Military of Islamic Republic of Iran. In Iran, it is also called Artesh, which is Persian for "army." As of 2007, the regular Iranian Army was estimated to have 465,000 personnel plus around 350,000 reservists for a total of 815,000...
deployed its Scorpions with the reconnaissance regiment of the 28th Infantry Division in the 1980–1988 Iran–Iraq War. Little is known of how they performed or what losses they incurred. In December 1997, it was reported that Iran had manufactured a light tank named Tosan
Tosan
The Tosan is an Iranian light tank, for unconventional warfare. Production started in 1997, but the tank was only produced in small numbers. Mass production started in 2008...
. Tosan was equipped with a 90 mm gun and appears to be based on the Scorpion.
The Royal Jordanian Land Force
Royal Jordanian Land Force
The Royal Jordanian Land Force is part of the Jordanian Armed Forces . It draws its origins from units first formed in the British Mandate of Transjordan in the 1920s. It has seen combat against Israel in 1948, 1956, 1967, and 1973...
has obtained 80 Scorpions and 100 Spartans. Some of the Scorpions are reported to have been captured by Iraq during the Iran–Iraq war and handed on to Jordan.The Spartans were obtained when Belgium disposed of their CVR(T) fleet.
The Royal Army of Oman
Royal Army of Oman
The Royal Army of Oman protects the sovereignty of Oman. In terms of matériel, the Army is small but well equipped to the extent that external aggression is now realistically deterred.-Field organization:*One divisional HQ...
replaced the Saladin armoured car with between 30 and 50 Scorpions. They were delivered between 1982 and 1983, along with three Samson armoured recovery vehicles. In 1985 a second order for up to 30 vehicles was delivered. The second order included Scorpion, Sultan, Spartan and Samson vehicles. Oman operates the newer Stormer.
The United Arab Emirates Army
United Arab Emirates Army
As part of the military of the United Arab Emirates the United Arab Emirates Ground Force is responsible for land operations.-History:In 1971 the Trucial Oman Scouts were renamed Union Defence Force upon the formation of United Arab Emirates and consisted of 2,500 regular military personnel...
has obtained 76 Scorpions, for use by its armoured brigades. It is not known if these played any part in the Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
.
Africa
In Africa CVR(T) operators included Botswana, Nigeria, Tanzania and Togo.The Nigerian Army
Nigerian Army
The Nigerian Army the largest of the Nigerian Armed Forces, has about 100,000 professional personnel. The original elements of the Royal West African Frontier Force in Nigeria were formed in 1900....
reorganised from an infantry to an all arms formation after 1979. Part of their AFV inventory includes an unknown number of Scorpions.
Scorpion turret
Australian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
did not use CVR(T)s but did use the turret of the Scorpion mounted on top of M113 armored personnel carrier
M113 armored personnel carrier
The M113 is a fully tracked armored personnel carrier that has formed the backbone of the United States Army's mechanized infantry units from the time of its first fielding in Vietnam in April 1962. The M113 was the most widely used armored vehicle of the U.S...
s. Known in the Australian Army as the Medium Reconnaissance Vehicle, they were used in a fire support role. They have now been replaced by newer vehicles.
The Canadian Army also used the Scorpion turret. They were mounted on the AVGP Cougar
AVGP
The AVGP is a series of three armoured fighting vehicles ordered by the Canadian military in 1977.The three vehicles are the Cougar, Grizzly and Husky....
. A total of 195 Cougars were originally procured, but the fleet was reduced to 100 vehicles in 1999 and are now exclusively employed by reserve armoured units.
Enhancements and Future Developments
As a result of combat experience in AfghanistanOperation Herrick
Operation Herrick is the codename under which all British operations in the war in Afghanistan have been conducted since 2002. It consists of the British contribution to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force and support to the US-led Operation Enduring Freedom...
, the British Army upgraded several Scimitar light tanks to Mark 2 standard. The improvements included a new aluminium hull based on that of the Spartan troop carrier, which provides greater internal volume and protection, and a new fuel system, environmental control system and suspension. New hulls have also been built for the Spartan, Sultan, Samson and Samaritan variants.
The South African firm OVIK has designed a vehicle named "Meercat" based on the CVR(T), anticipating that large numbers of these will become available for refurbishment in future years when they are replaced in British service, and perhaps several other armed forces. The hull has been redesigned, and the driver has been moved back into a central cupola, shared with the other two crew members. The engine has been replaced by a Cummins 5.9 litre or 6.7 litre diesel engine. The turret has been removed and will be replaced by a modular weapon "cassette", which will mount remote weapon stations armed with a .50 M2 HB machine gun for example.
See also
- Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Wheeled)Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Wheeled)The Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle , abbreviated to CVR was a line of vehicles to replace the Ferret Armoured Car in British Army service.Two variants were planned:...
, A sister project of light wheeled vehicles. - Future Combat Systems manned ground vehiclesFuture Combat Systems manned ground vehiclesThe Future Combat Systems Manned Ground Vehicles was a family of lighter and more transportable ground vehicles developed by BAE Systems Inc and General Dynamics as part of the United States Army's Future Combat Systems program. The ground vehicles were to be based on a common tracked vehicle...
, a recently canceled family of American tracked vehicles - BCT Ground Combat Vehicle ProgramBCT Ground Combat Vehicle ProgramThe Ground Combat Vehicle is the U.S. Army's replacement program for armored fighting vehicles in Heavy and Stryker brigade combat teams. The GCV is organized under the Follow On Incremental Capabilities Package of the BCT Modernization program. The first variant of the vehicle is to be prototyped...
, a future family of American vehicles - StrykerStrykerThe IAV Stryker is a family of eight-wheeled, 4-wheel-drive , armored fighting vehicles derived from the Canadian LAV III and produced by General Dynamics Land Systems, in use by the United States Army. The vehicle is named for two American servicemen who posthumously received the Medal of Honor:...
, a recent American family of wheeled vehicles - Joint Light Tactical VehicleJoint Light Tactical VehicleThe Joint Light Tactical Vehicle is a U.S. Army, USSOCOM, and U.S. Marine Corps program to replace the current Humvee with a family of more survivable vehicles and greater payload...
, a future American family of light wheeled vehicles