The Petit Véhicule Protégé (PVP) 4×4 light armoured protected vehicle.
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The Petit Véhicule Protégé (PVP) is a 4×4 light armoured protected vehicle developed by the Panhard General Defense. It is used as an armoured troop carrier and liaison vehicle for contact forces.
PVP is capable of carrying artillery, tank systems and special equipment for electronic warfare. It can accommodate two to four crew members, depending on the mission.
PVP orders and deliveries
In September 2004, French Direction Generale de l’Armament (DGA) placed a $48m contract for 314 petit véhicule protégé / protected small vehicles (PVP). The French Army ordered a total of 933 vehicles, of which more than 500 have been delivered.
In September 2011, Panhard received another contract from French DGA to supply 200 additional PVP vehicles for the French Army. Deliveries began in 2012.
Around 100 French PVPs will be fitted with Wasp remote-controlled turrets for mounting FN MAG machine guns.
Overseas customers include Germany, Chile and Togo. PVP is also deployed by the forces operating in Lebanon and Afghanistan.
PVP variants
In addition to the base model PVP, Panhard produces the PVP HD (heavy duty), PVP XL and PVP APC variants in 5t to 12t combat weight classes. All the variants follow the same design principles of the PVP.
PVP HD is a larger version with level 3 armour. The vehicle features five doors and more cargo area. The gross weight is 7.6t and payload capacity is 2t.
PVP XL offers a total internal volume of 8 to 11m³. The gross vehicle weight and payload capacities are 12t and 3t respectively. The vehicle provides space for ten seats.
The PVP APC features a higher roofline to accommodate six troops.
A five-door version, Gavial, was also developed for the German Army.
PVP design and features
The main body of the vehicle is attached to a welded steel chassis.
The conventional layout accommodates a power pack at the front, driver and commander in the centre and rest of the crew at the rear. The French Army version is in a left-hand drive configuration.
The vehicle features a large one-piece bulletproof window in the front. The commander and driver can enter and exit the vehicle from side doors that open to the front. The upper part of the door is fitted with a bulletproof window.
The rear compartment can be fitted with individual or bench-type seats on either side, facing inwards. There are also small bulletproof windows on either side of the rear compartment. The entry door on the rear side carries a replacement wheel and tyre.
The French Army PVP vehicles are equipped with an air conditioning system, heating and firing ports, and power steering. The front section, fuel tank and transmission are protected with add-on armour.
Armaments and weaponry on the light armoured protected vehicle
The baseline vehicle is fitted with a roof hatch to mount various types of machine guns or automatic grenade launcher. The French PVP is armed with a 7.62mm machine gun or AT4CS light anti-armour weapon.
Self-protection
The vehicle’s body is made of 6mm hard steel consisting of spaced 10mm aluminium armour.
The crew compartment can withstand anti-personnel mines (STANAG 4569 Level 2) and protects the troops from 7.62mm small arms fire and shell splinters. The underside of the vehicle can minimise the effects of a mine by avoiding blast traps.
The engine compartment offers STANAG 4569 Level 1 protection. The PVP HD and PVP XL variants offer Level 3 and Level 4 protection respectively.
Diesel engine
The vehicle is powered by an IVECO turbo diesel engine coupled to ZF automatic gearbox with four forward gears and one reverse gear. The engine delivers an output of 160hp.
The PVP has excellent mobility due to its power to weight ratio of more than 34hp/t. The curved shape of the vehicle provides a large suspension travel. The vehicle has high ground clearance due to its coil spring suspension.
The Global Armoured Vehicles & Counter IED Vehicles Market 2011-2021
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