The Romanian Army is the only operator of the ABC 79M vehicles. In 1994, Israel took the delivery of an ABC 79M vehicle for trial purposes, but placed no orders.
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The Romanian Army deployed ABC 79M vehicles in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
ABC 79M amphibious APC variations
The mission variants of ABC 79M include TAB-C armoured personnel carrier, TABC-79M turret less armoured personnel carrier, TAB-79A PCOMA artillery observation post vehicle, TAB-79AR 82mm mortar carrier, TAB RCH-84 radiological and chemical reconnaissance vehicle, TCG-80 armoured recovery vehicle, AM 425 APC and ML-A95M vehicle with surface-to-air missile system.
Design and features of the 4×4 amphibious armoured personnel carrier
ABC 79 is a modified version of the TAB-77 8×8 armoured personnel carrier. The 9.2t vehicle has a length of 5.6m, width of 2.8m and height of 2.3m.
It uses several common components of TAB-77. The vehicle can carry three crew and four troops.
The front section of the vehicle accommodates driver and commander in the left and right sides respectively.
The dual panel windscreen can be quickly covered by two armoured shutters during combat operations.
Troops can enter and exit the vehicle through small triangle-shaped doors on either side of the hull, doors in the rear of the vehicle or a single roof hatch in the right side of the engine compartment. A firing port on the right rear door enables the troops to aim and fire their weapons from inside of the vehicle.
The standard equipment fitted in the vehicle include automatic fire detection and suppression system, NBC system, night vision devices and front-mounted winch.
Armaments of the ABC 79M 4×4
The vehicle is fitted with a one-man turret on the roof. The manually operated turret is mounted with a 14.5mm KPVT machine gun and a coaxial 7.62mm PKT machine gun.
KPVT can engage light armoured targets, weapons systems and light shelters within the range of up to 3,000m. It can also strike air targets at distances of up to 2,000m.
The vehicle can be optionally equipped with remote control weapon system (RCWS) mounted on the turret roof. Other armament configurations include ar anti-tank missile launcher installation and 81mm or 82mm mortar.
Observation
The driver and commander are provided with single-piece hatch covers. The vehicle is equipped with four day periscopes for observing forward and side ways.
The commander has an infra-red searchlight mounted on the roof of the vehicle. The searchlight can be operated from inside the vehicle.
Self-protection
The vehicle features an all-welded steel hull. The vehicle can protect the crew from small arms fire of up to 20mm and shell splinters. The ABC 79M can be fitted with NBC protection system as a part of standard equipment.
Engine
ABC 79M is powered by a Euro 3 type turbocharged diesel engine mounted in the rear of the vehicle. The engine, coupled to mechanical or automatic gearbox (five forward and one reverse), develops a power output of 160hp. The engine preheater on the vehicle allows the engine to start in severe cold climate.
Mobility
ABC 79 is fully amphibious with minor preparation. A single water-jet located on the rear propels the vehicle in the water.
The only preparation required prior to entering water is to turn on the bilge pumps and raise the trim vane by the driver. It is retracted and stowed on the sloped front-most section of the hull when moving on land.
The central tyre-pressure regulation system enables the driver to adjust the tyre pressure from the seat during the vehicle movement.
The vehicle has a maximum speed of 95km/h and a range of 700km. It can negotiate a maximum gradient of 32° and maximum side slope of 28°.
The Global Armoured Vehicles and Counter IED Vehicles Market 2011-2021
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