The Netherlands has sent 28 Bandvagn S10 “Viking” tracked amphibious armored vehicles to the Ukrainian Armed Forces to support their defense against Russia’s continuing invasion.
Revealed by Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans, the package includes technical maintenance, associated equipment, and training services.
Ukraine’s upcoming fleet was used by the Netherlands Marine Corps for personnel and medical transport across austere environments.
Amsterdam noted that the platforms can also be deployed as command vehicles or mobile fire support.
“With a front and rear carriage and coupled steering mechanism, the Viking effortlessly lands on the beach from a landing craft,” the Dutch Ministry of Defence wrote in a press release.
“The vehicle is armored, which provides additional protection against enemy fire. The Viking can operate in the most diverse weather conditions.”
Following the donation to Ukraine, the Dutch Marine Corps’ Viking systems will be replaced by the incoming 124 tracked vehicles planned in 2020 as well as 179 small all-terrain patrol vehicles announced in 2021.
Distribution of the approximately 250-million-euro ($276.4-million) tracked fleet is scheduled from 2024 to 2027, while the patrol systems are expected to arrive next year until 2028.
Oekraïne heeft onze hulp hard nodig in het gevecht tegen de Russische agressor.
Nederland levert nu 28 Viking rupsvoertuigen. Het Korps Mariniers heeft hiervoor de Oekraïense militairen getraind.
Onze steun aan Oekraïne blijft doorgaan om Rusland op afstand te houden. pic.twitter.com/58jz5pvWAF
— Ruben Brekelmans (@DefensieMin) August 31, 2024
All-Terrain System
The Viking or BvS10 vehicle was first introduced by Swedish defense contractor BAE Systems Hägglunds in the early 2000s for the British Royal Marines, with its maiden deployment being in Afghanistan in 2006.
It was offered in different variants, including the unarmored Beowulf, and has undergone multiple upgrades since its launch.
Alongside Sweden, the UK, and the Netherlands, the all-terrain system has served under the Austrian, French, German, and US armed forces.
The Viking
BAE’s Viking measures 8 meters (26.2 feet) long and weighs about 5 tons.
It incorporates a front and rear car that can accommodate up to 12 passengers in total, while its chassis is covered with NATO standard armor against small arms fire and artillery.
The vehicle is equipped with a Cummins six-cylinder diesel engine and an Allison six-speed automatic transmission for a top speed of 70 kilometers (43.4 miles) per hour and a range of 500 kilometers (310 miles).
It can carry 5.56 to 12.7-millimeter machine guns, a 40-millimeter automatic grenade launcher, mortars, and smoke grenades.
