The U.K. Ministry of Defense May 12 announced the first group of an upgraded fleet of versatile, protected vehicles have been delivered to the troops.
BAE Systems is assembling more than 400Panthers under an approximately $242.4 million contract.
Weighing more than seven tons, the Panther Command and Liaison Vehicle (PCLV) is fitted with the latest high-tech developments, including a remote-controlled weapon system that allows the user to operate a machine gun with a camera and joystick from inside its turret. It can operate in all weather conditions, day and night using thermal imaging equipment that “sees” in the dark and the vehicles are protected against a range of threats including small arms, blast and anti-personnel mines.
Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Quentin Davies, said: “Panther is an extremely tough, air-transportable and agile vehicle, which will provide commanders on the ground with a vital asset suited to a variety of roles and operational environments.
“We have made a number of essential modifications since its entry into service which have been key to ensuring we deliver on our commitment to provide a vehicle which is fit for our frontline troops.
“I am confident that through our work with industry we have a vehicle which will be very effective in all sorts of situations,” he said.
Panther, which was delivered to 1 Mechanised Brigade for training last summer, has undergone design adjustments following a series of hot weather trials to make them ready for operations in Afghanistan, the government said.
These include: rear view camera for improved situational awareness; protected engine compartment; the addition of a fourth crew member; theatre-specific Electronic Counter Measures (ECM).
The vehicles will be first used by both the RAF Regiment and the Army’s Close Support Logistics Regiment. More vehicles are en route to theatre later this month for deployment on the frontline.