Article Posted on : - May 02, 2013

The new Casspir NG 2000 4x4 mine protected vehicle. Photo: Denel Mechem

CENTURION, S A (BNS): Denel Mechem has unveiled a new generation CASSPIR mine protected vehicle.

More than three decades after the first CASSPIR came off the production line in 1979 the New Generation 2000 will provide its end-users with new options and increased protection, Denel said.

"Now we have upgraded the hull protection by using a higher quality of steel, increased its power, improved the accessibility for passengers and mounted it on a more versatile and reliable vehicle platform," said Ashley Williams, the General Manager of Denel Mechem.

There are two versions of the CASSPIR NG 2000 - one mounted on a Mercedes Benz drive train and the 2000B using a Powerstar engine as platform. Both versions will feature an upgraded steel hull meeting the highest industry standards of protection.

The new vehicle will also feature side doors for the driver and crew and an improved back-door design for troops or passengers to enter and exit during operations.

Thus the CASSPIR can feature in its conventional role as mine-resistant troop carrier but can also be adapted to become a field ambulance, a command-and-control vehicle, a recovery vehicle or a light transport vehicle.

All variants are fitted with run-flat tyres and are available in 6X6 or 4X4 format and with a choice of manual or automatic transmission.

It has a cruising speed of 100 kph on roads and up to 40 kph on most off-road conditions with a reach of up to 800km on a standard fuel tank.

It is designed to withstand the blast of 14kg of explosives under each wheel, which is more than can be delivered by two landmines.

Denel Mechem is a subsidiary of South Africa's state-owned Denel defence industrial group.