In a statement on 19 June 2022, Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles stated that he had delivered the first batch of a total grant of 14 M113AS4 armored personnel carriers (APCs) to Ukraine. The first batch of 4 M113AS4s was delivered from Amberley Air Base last week on a Ukrainian Antonov An-124 cargo plane.
The delivery of the M113AS4 is Australia's third item of heavy weapons delivery to Ukraine, with Canberra having previously delivered 20 Thales Bushmaster 4×4 armored MRAPs and 6 M777 towed howitzers.
For netizens in Indonesia, the M113 is clearly familiar, because this legendary ranpur used by the Belgian Army has been used by several Indonesian Army Mechanized Infantry Battalions, including operating a new variant with higher amphibious capabilities, the M113 Arisgator. So what about the Australian M113AS4 variant? Is it more sophisticated than Indonesia's?
The M113AS4 is a distinctly Australian upgrade of the US-produced M113A1, which was introduced in the mid-1960s. Australia itself is known as one of the largest M113 operators, with a total of around 700 M113A1 units that are aging, even the Australian M113A1 was involved in the Vietnam War.
Of the 700 M113A1, a total of 431 were upgraded to the standard M113AS4 variant under the LAND 106 program, which will allow the mine to be active until at least 2020. The first production M113AS4 was delivered to the Australian Army in early 2007.
The upgrade to the M113AS4 involves the installation of a new engine, transmission and drivetrain. The M113AS4 adopts the MTU 6V199TE turbocharged diesel engine, which produces 350 hp. This Ranpur can accelerate up to a speed of 65 km per hour and a cruising range of up to 500 km.
The body of the M113AS4 is extended to fit an additional pair of wheels and has increased the carrying capacity of the ranpur in combat operations. The upgrade also provides increased firepower, with the M113AS4 equipped with a new one-man turret armed with a 12.7mm heavy machine gun. The Australian Army uses armored personnel carriers for light infantry fire support.
The protection of this 18 tonne APC is enhanced by the add-on ceramic armor tiles. Then the hull was strengthened for additional protection against landmines and IED explosions. The interior is equipped with a spall liner. The hull of the vehicle provides protection against bullets up to 14.5 mm caliber.
The interior of the M113AS4 is also improved, and occupant livability is maximized. Troops enter and exit vehicles through ramp doors or roof holes. The ramp is equipped with an emergency exit.
M113AS4 with two crew and 10 infantry personnel is the most common variant, apart from that Austalia also designed sub variants to support special missions, such as M113AS4 AF armored fitted with crane, M113AS4 ARVL armored recovery vehicle, M113AS4 AA armored ambulance, M113AS4 ACV armored command vehicle and M113AS4 ALV armored logistics vehicle.
For the Australian Army, the M113 ranpur family is in gradual retirement preparation. As is known, two chain-wheel IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) farms are currently competing in the Land 400 Phase 3 program, namely the Lynx KF41 from Rheinmetall Defense and the Redback from Hanwha Defense.
Later, one of the two ranpurs will replace the aging M113A1. The Land 400 Phase 3 program is valued at Aus$18.1 billion, equivalent to 11.1 billion euros.
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