Recently, it was announced that the Netherlands is providing Ukraine with 28 Viking Bandvagn S10 tracked all-terrain vehicles, with Ukrainian soldiers already trained to operate them.
We all understand that Ukraine desperately needs the support of its partners in the fight against the Russian aggressor. Therefore, the delivery of Viking Bandvagn S10 armored amphibious vehicles is very welcome news. This type of equipment will undoubtedly be a valuable asset for our defenders on the front lines.
Today we will try to take a closer look at these very interesting amphibious all-terrain vehicles.
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Why Viking Bandvagn S10 all-terrain vehicles are interesting
The Viking Bandvagn S10 (or simply BvS10) is a modern armored tracked all-terrain vehicle designed for transporting troops and cargo in challenging conditions, such as snow, marshlands, sand, and other difficult terrains. The BvS10 is an improved version of its predecessor, the Bandvagn 206 (Bv206).
The BvS10 is used by the armed forces of several countries, including the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, France, and Austria, and now Ukraine is among them. This all-terrain vehicle is deployed in various military operations, including peacekeeping missions, where high mobility and the ability to navigate difficult terrain are essential.
This all-terrain vehicle is ideal for modern armed forces operating in a variety of extreme weather and combat situations.
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History of Viking Bandvagn S10 creation
The Viking BvS10 is a fully amphibious tracked armored vehicle with enhanced off-road capabilities, developed and manufactured by the British company BAE Systems in collaboration with the Swedish company Land Systems Hägglunds. This all-terrain vehicle is a further development of the smaller Bv206S, featuring increased payload capacity. It was designed based on experience gained from more than 25 years of producing articulated vehicles.
The first prototype of the Viking Bandvagn S10 was delivered to the British Army in June 2001. The vehicles successfully completed a 24-month series of trials in Norway, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Oman. In Norway, the vehicle passed winter deployment tests above the Arctic Circle. In September 2001, the Vikings were sent to Oman to participate in the SAIF SAREEA 2 exercises, where they underwent full operational testing in the extremely hot and dry desert conditions. The Viking Bandvagn S10 is primarily used by the armed forces of the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. In December 2009, the DGA (the French Army Procurement Agency) ordered 53 Viking Bandvagn S10 Mk II vehicles, a new and improved version of the all-terrain vehicle already in service with the Dutch and British armed forces. For the French version of the Bandvagn S10, some components were manufactured by the French company Panhard. In February 2019, BAE Systems delivered the first four Viking Bandvagn S10 vehicles to the Austrian armed forces. The Austrian Army has ordered a total of 32 BvS10 armored personnel carriers in various configurations.
The all-terrain vehicle consists of two tracked units connected by an articulated joint mechanism. The Viking Bandvagn S10 offers a payload capacity ranging from 3 to 5 tons. This amphibious vehicle maintains the same excellent mobility over challenging terrains as its predecessors—the Viking Bv206 and Bv206S—including air-drop capability. The Viking Bandvagn S10 can operate in temperatures ranging from -46°C to +46°C, making it suitable for use in jungle, desert, and Arctic conditions, as well as for rapid deployment.
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Viking Bandvagn S10 variants
The British company BAE Systems, in cooperation with the Swedish company Land Systems Hagglunds, has released several variants of the Viking Bandvagn S10. Among them:
- Armored personnel carrier
- Repair and evacuation vehicle
- Ambulance vehicle
- All-terrain vehicle for command and control of units
- Cargo transporter\
- All-terrain vehicle with mortar compartment
- An updated version of the Viking Bandvagn S10 Mk II.
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Viking Bandvagn S10 design and armor
The Viking Bandvagn S10 consists of two tracked units connected by a specialized articulated joint mechanism. The front unit serves as the driver’s cab, offering an internal space of 2.5 m², while the rear unit acts as a cargo compartment with an area of 10 m². This rear section can be used to transport military personnel or combat equipment.
The front cab of the Viking Bandvagn S10 accommodates the driver, seated at the front left, along with three fully equipped infantry soldiers.
The front and rear cabs are connected via a two-way voice communication system. The rear cab can carry eight fully equipped marines. Additionally, the rear compartment can be configured to accommodate a mortar section, a heavy machine gun section, or a fully equipped anti-tank team with Milan anti-tank missiles and firing posts. Both compartments are equipped with air conditioning and the General Dynamics UK Bowman digital communication system.
The vehicle’s body is constructed from armored steel, with rounded edges and smooth contours that help minimize its radar cross-section, making it less detectable by radar. The Bandvagn S10’s body is made of steel armor plates that protect against armor-piercing rounds of 7.62 mm caliber and shrapnel from artillery shells at distances greater than 10 meters.
The vehicle also offers protection against anti-personnel mines weighing up to 0.5 kg. Additionally, the British version of the Viking Bandvagn S10 is equipped with an extra mine protection kit and an armored frame. The design of the all-terrain vehicle allows for upgrades and the installation of modular subsystems according to specific operational needs. This means there is the option to add extra armor, various weapon mounts, and change payloads and standard platforms. For example, British crews of the Viking Bandvagn S10 are typically armed with the SA80A2K carbine, a shortened version of the standard assault rifle designed for transport in confined spaces.
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Cummins turbodiesel engine
The Bandvagn S10 is equipped with a 5.9-liter six-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine developed by Cummins, delivering 250 horsepower. The maximum torque is 840 Nm at 1600 rpm.
Steering the all-terrain vehicle is accomplished through hydraulic cylinders that connect the front and rear cabs with an articulated joint. Unlike other tracked vehicles, the driver-mechanic does not need to brake one track to steer. This design enhances the vehicle’s mobility on snow, sand, and soft ground.
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Viking Bandvagn S10 armament
Now, let’s delve into the armament of the Viking Bandvagn S10. Under normal circumstances, the vehicle typically remains out of direct contact with enemy forces. However, its self-defense systems can be activated in the event of an attack or ambush.
The roof of the Viking Bandvagn S10’s front cab is equipped with a turret for either a 12.7 mm Browning heavy machine gun or a 7.62 mm general-purpose machine gun. To enhance protection, the armored all-terrain vehicle is also fitted with two sets of four smoke grenade launchers, mounted on the front cab at the top of each front window. The driver or commander can control these smoke dispensers, which fire smoke or white phosphorus grenades.
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The all-terrain capability of Viking Bandvagn S10
Military personnel note the Viking Bandvagn S10’s high off-road capability in challenging landscapes, its modularity and adaptability for various combat tasks, excellent crew protection, and amphibious operation capability.
Despite its total weight of 10 tons, the Bandvagn S10 maintains good mobility on soft surfaces such as snow, mud, or sand, as the ground pressure is minimized through the even distribution of load across its four tracks.
The tracks themselves are 620 mm wide and made from molded rubber with cord. The average ground pressure is approximately the same as that of the Bv206, which is 4 tons lighter. The vehicle maintains its mobility even if a track is damaged by a mine.
The ground clearance of the updated Viking has been significantly increased compared to the armored vehicles in the Bv206 family to enhance off-road capability. The turning diameter of the Viking Bandvagn S10 is 14 meters.
Without preparation, the Viking can cross water obstacles up to 1.5 meters deep. With two minutes of preparation, the amphibious all-terrain vehicle can swim in deeper water. This preparation involves sealing openings and installing protective covers to prevent waves from washing over the front windows. The vehicle’s speed in water is 5 km/h.
The all-terrain vehicle can be deployed from all Royal Marine amphibious landing craft or transported to the operational area by C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft. An unloaded Viking can be transported by being suspended from the cargo hooks of a Royal Air Force Chinook helicopter. Interestingly, the Bandvagn S10 can be split into two sections in just 20 minutes and carried by a Merlin helicopter.
The Bandvagn S10’s speed on flat terrain is comparable to that of modern infantry fighting vehicles. On highways, the all-terrain vehicle can reach speeds of up to 65 km/h, on dirt roads it travels at 35 km/h, and across rough terrain, it moves at 15 km/h. These are quite impressive figures for this type of vehicle. The range on highways is up to 500 km.
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Viking Bandvagn S10 Characteristics
- Dimensions: length 7.6 m, width 2.2 m, height 2.2 m
- Armor: standard spaced multi-layer armor, compliance with STANAG level 4 with additional protection. Protection against 7.62 mm shells, additional STANAG level 2a/2b mine protection, CE RPB armored frame protection
- Armament: one Browning machine gun of 7.62 or 12.7 mm caliber
- Weight in combat gear: 10 tons; front vehicle 5100 kg; rear vehicle 3500 kg
- Engine: 5.9-liter turbodiesel V6 Cummins ISBe250-30 engine, torque 840 Nm at 1600 rpm
- Engine power: 250 hp, 2500 rpm
- Maximum speed: 65 km/h
- Operating range: 500 km
- Capacity: 2 crew members + 10 special forces soldiers
- Additional equipment: CBRN protection system, night vision thermal imagers, navigation system (GPS/INS), rear view camera, additional fuel tank.
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The Viking Bandvagn S10 could be highly beneficial for the Ukrainian Armed Forces given the current combat conditions and the nature of the terrain. Our defenders have already recognized its exceptional off-road capability in challenging conditions. Considering Ukraine’s climatic and landscape conditions—such as snow, swamps, rivers, and forested areas—the BvS10 could become a crucial element in ensuring troop mobility. The tracked all-terrain vehicle is capable of overcoming the toughest obstacles where other equipment might be ineffective.
The vehicle’s ability to cross water obstacles can be critical in combat scenarios involving river crossings or during offensive operations where rapid movement of troops and equipment across water bodies is required.
The Swedish-British armored amphibious vehicles, the Bandvagn S10, are already helping Ukrainian forces in their fight against the enemy on the front lines. I am confident that such a reliable and well-protected armored vehicle is greatly needed by our defenders. Therefore, we are sincerely grateful to our Western partners for their support and for supplying modern weaponry.
We believe in our defenders. The invaders will not escape from retribution. Death to the enemies! Glory to the Armed Forces! Glory to Ukraine!
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