Quote:
Originally Posted by FASTBOAT TOUGH
Don my apologies but, now I realize why Jan. 2017 was stuck in my head, should've reread it before posting. However I think ( Post #168) might be useful and the ones before it as well. Mostly to ensure we're using the right TOW II for those units. As noted then as being tested (3 yrs ago.) the TOW2 ITAS and AERO is now in use on the LAV-ATA1 for at least a year or more now from I can gather.
This next I've been tracking for over 8 yrs. now([b]Post #259[and the UK chose an APC that it turned down under the FRES Program. The BOXER is back however this will still require some additional tracking. FRES collapsed in 2008 when the final contract between the UK and GD for the PIRANHA 5 couldn't be settled upon. The BOXER was "rumored" to have a close second at the time. The new program was decided upon in Sep. 2015 and here it's only a year later and we as noted above, the BOXER wins. With BREXIT in play and Germany being seen as the "De Facto" leader of the EU and the UK wanting out of the EU on favorable terms and buying 800 units, it would seem some accommodation might be made in the UK's favor-but that's just "Conspiracy Theory" stuff!?! Anyway...
http://www.armyrecognition.com/octob..._11710161.html
If you think I was good in picking the BOXER back in the day when FRES was starting up, wait until you see what gets posted in the MBT Thread in a day or two!?! And right on time as well. 
Anyway have a good night!
Regards,
Pat
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Interesting. Somewhere on here I posted a link to the whole sorry (and hugely expensive) FRES story. A vast amount of money indeed for the rather large and heavy, but otherwise underwhelming Ajax and the more or less off the shelf Boxer.
Someone still needs to tell me exactly what Ajax can do that Warrior 2000 cannot (both are about the same size and weight and have the same weapons system, although I think Ajax can swim). About the only thing I can think of is that Ajax can be crewed by the Royal Armoured Corps (Cavalry and Royal Tank Regt) thus adding tone to what would otherwise be a vulgar brawl...
One factual error in the link. The UK Pound Sterling has
not "collapsed",
or anything like it, since Brexit, despite the
wishful thinking of assorted remaniacs and remoaners.
The largest British services website was about 80% in favour of leaving the EU on a site poll the day before the vote.
I'm also a little puzzled why a 60,000 man British Army that will have 250-300 Warrior 2000 really needs
800 of these Boxer 8x8's. Given the constraints in the UK Defence budget, and the need for more spending in other areas, especially the Royal Navy, I would have thought an order for 400 would have been enough for now. Boxer should be air portable for the British, but Ajax is not unless the RAF C-17 Globemaster's can carry one, but even if it can the RAF has only eight or nine of those aircraft.