The UK has deployed tougher armoured vehicles for its forces in Afghanistan to help carry out battlefield tasks more efficiently in the country’s rocky terrain.
More than 300 new Mastiff 2 and Ridgback armoured vehicles are now operational with improved armour, enhanced explosion-attenuating seats to give better protection on impact and advanced thermal imaging for the drivers. Greater crew capacity is an additional advantage.
Both vehicles are armed with cutting-edge weapon systems, including a 7.62mm general purpose machine gun, 12.7mm heavy machine gun or 40mm automatic grenade launcher.
The vehicles have a redesigned interior and are provided with Bowman radios and electronic countermeasures giving secure mobility to troops in Afghanistan.
