Safer For British Troops

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http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/...542256,00.html

Safer For British Troops
Updated: 17:31, Wednesday September 13, 2006



The Army has unveiled a new armoured vehicle which it says will cut the toll of British soldiers killed by roadside bombs.

The 23-tonne Cougar/Mastiff will be deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan where blasts targeting UK forces have proved lethal.

Britain is buying 100 of the US-made machines after criticism that the Army's Snatch version of the Land Rover does not provide adequate protection.

Defence Procurement Minister Lord Drayson unveiled the first of the new Cougars on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire.

Their sheer bulk, combined with height off the ground and an innovative underside design, make them effective at absorbing blasts.

They are said to be able to withstand 1,000 attacks without loss of life - and are fully air-conditioned.


The Cougars, which have been in use by the US Army for the last 18 months, reportedly cost £265,000 each.

They will not mean the end of the Snatch, which will continue to be used, and officials have stressed that they did not provide a foolproof solution to the problem of protecting troops from attack.

"These are expensive vehicles, they are complex and sophisticated, but they are absolutely necessary for the job which we ask our troops to do," said Lord Drayson.

The Cougars, built by Force Protection Incorporated of Charleston, South Carolina, are expected to be delivered in batches over the next six-month rotation.

The Army has also unveiled the first of 100 additional Pinzgauer Vector vehicles for Afghanistan, with deliveries to begin in early 2007.

Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "This package of new equipment shows we are doing everything possible to provide our troops with some of the best protection available."

all i can say is its about time!, sad that its only 100 though... the "snatch" is crap, most civ. cars hav better armor..

[Steve]

good news, looks like a beast

[SilentTrigger]

Good thing! Swedes are getting Galten (made by a british owned company in south africa) and its also about time!

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hmmm Galten just looks like a done up version of the snatch