ACMAT Bastion Armored personnel carrier (France)

The Bastion 4x4 armored personnel carrier has been developed by ACMAT as a private venture. It was first revealed in 2010.

This armored personnel carrier is based on ACMAT VLRA light utility truck chassis. It is mainly intended for troop transportation.

Armor provides all-round protection against 7.62x39 mm armor-piercing rounds and artillery shell shrapnel. With add-on armor kit vehicle provides protection against standard NATO 7.62x51 mm armor-piercing rounds. So ballistic protection can be tailored to suit mission requirements, however at a cost of reduced payload capacity.

Vehicle has a V-shaped hull for improved protection against landmines. It survives explosions equivalent to 6 kg of TNT under any wheel or anywhere under the hull.

This armored personnel carrier is operated by a crew of two, including commander and driver. It transports 8 to 10 fully-equipped troops. Passengers enter and leave the vehicle via rear doors. Commander and driver use side-doors. Also there are roof hatches for observation, firing and emergency exit.

This armored vehicle is mainly designed to operate in desert areas of Africa and Middle East. It carries an onboard supply of 120 liters of drinking water. It can operate in temperature range from -25°C to +55°C.

The Bastion is armed with a shielded 12.7 mm heavy machine gun. There are two more weapon mounts at the rear of the roof for 7.62 mm general purpose machine guns. Also there are firing ports with associated vision blocks provided for the troops to fire their individual weapons.

Two 5-liter turbocharged diesel engines are available for the Bastion PATSAS. One of them is developing 180 hp and meets EURO 2 emission requirements. The other develops 215 hp and meets EURO 5 emission requirements. Engines are mated to 6- or 5-speed manual or automatic gearboxes. Vehicle has an unrefueled range of 1 000 km. It can be fitted with a central tyre inflation system and run-flat tyres. However it seems that these are optional.

This armored personnel carrier can be airlifted by a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, or by C-130 Hercules, C-160, or A400M military cargo aircraft.

Variants.

Bastion HM (High Mobility) armored personnel carrier. It is based on ACMAT VLRA 2 truck. This vehicle has a number of advantages, such as a 320 hp engine, improved suspension. The Bastion HM is faster and carry more load comparing with the baseline Bastion APC.

Bastion SAN armored ambulance. Troop area has been configured to carry 2 to 4 stretchers and one medical attendant.

Bastion PC command post vehicle.

Internal security vehicle. Comparing with the baseline armored personnel carrier it lacks roof-mounted machine gun and firing ports. Also it has a thinner armor. It seems that it provides protection only against ball rounds.

ACMAT Bastion PATSAS. It is an open-topped long-range patrol vehicle, used by special forces. It carries driver and 4 soldiers. It is intended to conduct reconnaissance patrols and raids. This vehicle has been exported to Burkina Faso, Chad, and possibly some other countries.