VBTP-MR

Armored personnel carrier


Currently the Guarani is the most advanced armored vehicle, proposed in the South America
Entered service 2013
Crew 2 men
Personnel 9 men
Dimensions and weight
Weight 16.7 t
Length 7 m
Width 2.7 m
Height 2.43 m
Armament
Main gun ?
Machine guns ?
Ammunition load
Main gun ?
Machine guns ?
Mobility
Engine Iveco Cursor 9 diesel
Engine power 383 hp
Maximum road speed over 100 km/h
Amphibious speed on water 9 km/h
Range 600 km
Maneuverability
Gradient 60%
Side slope 30%
Vertical step over 0.5 m
Trench ~ 1.2 m
Fording Amphibious





The VBTP-MR armored personnel carrier is jointly developed by Italian Iveco and Brazilian MoD. In Portuguese the VBTP-MR stands for a Wheeled Medium Armored Personnel Carrier - Basic Platform. This project was originally called Urutu III. Now this armored vehicle is also referred as the Guarani. A contract was signed to develop this 6x6 APC in 2007 and it's mock-up was revealed in 2009. Development was completed by 2011. It is worth mentioning that Iveco already designed and manufactured a number of military vehicles. In 2012 Brazil ordered a first batch of 86 Guarani armored personnel carriers. These will be delivered between 2013 and 2014. Full scale production of the Guarani commenced in 2013. The new armored vehicle will replace the ageing EE-9 Cascavel armored cars and EE-11 Urutu armored personnel carriers, developed by Engesa in the 1970s. Total requirement of the Brazilian military is for over 2 000 new APCs. The Guarani will be manufactured in Brazil with local content of about 60%. Argentina also expressed interest in obtaining 14 of these APCs. Currently the VBTP-MR is the most advanced armored vehicle, being produced in South America.

Armor of the VBTP-MR provides protection against small arms fire and artillery shell splinters. Vehicle can be fitted with add-on composite armor for improved protection. This armored personnel carrier has a V-shaped hull, which provides protection against landmines. Interior is fitted with a spall liner.

Several options of weapons are proposed for this armored personnel carrier. It might be fitted with remotely controlled 7.62-mm, 12.7-mm machine guns or 40-mm automatic grenade launcher. Variant with 30-mm cannon and anti-tank guided missiles is also proposed.

Vehicle has a crew of two and is designed to transport 9 troops. Troops enter and leave the vehicle via the rear doors or roof hatches. The VBTP-MR is fitted with modern battlefield management systems, which is used for navigation, positioning, mission planning. It also displays nearby friendly units.

Some sources claim that the VBTP-MR is based on Italian Iveco SuperAV amphibious armored personnel carrier. Vehicle is powered by Iveco Cursor 9 turbocharged diesel engine, developing 383 hp. Engine is located at the hull front. This engine will be produced in Brazil by Fiat. Engine is mated with an automatic transmission. Vehicle has a hydropneumatic suspension. This APC is fully amphibious. Modular side floats can be added for improved floatation. Baseline APC can be airlifted by the C-130 Hercules.

Brazilian Army also issued operational requirements for a number of derivatives of the VBTP-MR. This new family of vehicles will include command vehicle, technical assistance vehicle, armored ambulance, 120-mm mortar carrier, fire direction vehicle and 8x8 version for Brazilian Marines.