ACMAT Bastion PATSAS Long-Range Patrol Vehicle (France)

The Bastion PATSAS is an open-topped special forces vehicle, based on the ACMAT Bastion armored personnel carrier. It was mainly aimed at the French special forces. This long-range patrol vehicle was first revealed in 2011. In 2012 Chad ordered 22 of these vehicles. Deliveries commenced in 2013. The Bastion PATSAS is also in service with Burkina Faso and possibly some other countries.

This open-topped armored vehicle is intended to conduct reconnaissance patrols and raids. It is mainly intended for operation in desert areas in Africa and Middle East. The emphasis is stressed on firepower and visibility rather than armor protection. This vehicle exploits speed and mobility in order to avoid contact with enemy.

Armor of the Bastion PATSAS provides protection against small arms fire and artillery shell splinters. Armor protection can be tailored to suit mission requirements, however at a cost of reduced payload capacity. Vehicle with maximum armor provides protection against 7.62x51 mm armor-piercing rounds. This vehicle has a V-shaped hull. It is claimed that the vehicle offers high level of protection against landmines. It withstands blasts equivalent to 6 kg of TNT anywhere under the vehicle.

This special forces vehicle accommodates 5 soldiers. Driver and vehicle commander are seated at the front, and three more soldiers are seated at the rear.

The Bastion PATSAS has a ring mount for a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun. There are three more weapon mounts. One of them is used by the vehicle commander, while the other two by the rear passengers. These can be also armed with machine guns. This special forces vehicle can also carry other armament, such as anti-tank and air defense missiles.

The Bastion PATSAS with baseline armor (STANAG 4569 Level 1) has a payload capacity of 2 t. Once it carries more armor (STANAG 4569 Level 2), it can carry 1.5 t. With maximum armor (STANAG 4569 Level 3) this vehicle can carry 1 t of payload. Soldiers can carry enough supplies and ammunition to conduct long-range missions in desert areas.

The Bastion PATSAS is a version of ACMAT Bastion, which in turn is based on VLRA 4x4 utility vehicle. 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 EUTO 5 emission requirements. Engines are mated to 6- or 5-speed manual or automatic gearboxes. Vehicle has good cross-country mobility and an unrefueled range of 1 000 km. It is fitted with run-flat and blast resistant tyres. A central tyre inflation system and self-recovery winch are optional.

The Bastion PATSAS can be airlifted by a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, or by C-130 Hercules, C-160, or A400M military cargo aircraft.