BDX

Armored personnel carrier



The Belgian BDX armored personnel carrier is based on an Irish design

Entered service 1978
Crew 2 men
Personnel 10 men
Dimensions and weight
Weight 10.7 t
Length 5.05 m
Width 2.5 m
Height 2.06 m
Mobility
Engine Chrysler V-8 petrol
Engine power 180 hp
Maximum road speed 100 km/h
Range 900 km
Maneuverability
Gradient 60%
Side slope 40%
Vertical step 0.4 m
Trench 0.5 m
Fording Amphibious


The BDX armored personnel carrier is the result of an agreement between Beherman Demoen of Belgium and an Irish holding company to manufacture the Timoney 4 x 4 wheeled APC in Belgium. The result, the BDX, first produced in 1977, is based on an Irish design, which has been produced in Ireland in limited numbers for the Irish Army. The Belgian BDX has been produced for both the Belgian Air Force (63) and the State Gendarmerie (80), while a further five have been supplied to Argentina.

While the BDX is essentially similar to the Timoney some changes were introduced to suit Belgian requirements. The basic BDX APC does not have a turret, being an armored steel hull with access doors in the sides and rear. The troop compartment can accommodate up to 10 occupants, all provided with individual seating. an NBC collective protection or air conditioning system can be added.

Some vehicles have a small dozer blade at the front for obstacle clearing. One unusual feature of the BDX is that, despite it's bulk, it is amphibious, propulsion when in the water being supplied from the wheels although water jet units can be fitted to improve performance. A total of 13 Belgian Gendarmerie vehicles are fitted with a 81-mm mortar firing to the rear through roof hatches. It is also possible to install a small turret on the forward hull roof to accommodate either one or two 7.62-mm MGs. Other turreted weapons could include 20-mm cannon, a breech loaded 81-mm mortar or a 90-mm gun.

Various other variants have been proposed, including turreted anti-tank missile carrier, an ambulance and a 51-mm MRL. A diesel engine has been tested as a possible option.

Since the BDX entered service numerous modifications and improvements, such as a revised suspension to allow greater weights to be carried and a revised front hull to provide the driver with more space, have been incorporated into an upgraded model known as the Valkyr. This variant has been produced in the United Kingdom by Vickers Defence Systems.