Textron secures Ukraine deal for three Survivable Combat Tactical Vehicles (SCTVs)

Image: Textron Systems

Textron Systems Marine & Land Systems announced the sale of three Survivable Combat Tactical Vehicles (SCTVs) to SpetsTechnoExport, a subsidiary of Ukroboronprom, at the International Armoured Vehicles conference in London, UK, last week.

The three SCTVs will be delivered to Ukraine in an ongoing effort to improve the survivability and mobility of its light tactical vehicle fleet, according to a company statement.

"We are excited to be working with the UOP on upgrading its HMMWVs (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle) to the Textron Systems Marine & Land Systems SCTV," said Textron Systems Director of Business Operations, Europe and Africa, Bear Midkiff. "With this contract marking the first sale of our SCTV, this is a great accomplishment for Textron Systems Marine & Land Systems. In addition, we are honoured to be ‘the other half’ of this new, exciting relationship with Ukraine."

Ukrainian forces identified a requirement for vehicles offering superior security and mobility, which the SCTV meets due to a number of platform enhancements. It features a fully-armoured, monocoque v-hull crew survivability capsule designed to provide the highest levels of protection technology available in its class of vehicles. Engine upgrades and suspension enhancements have also bolstered performance and mobility.

"The Marine & Land Systems SCTV will provide significant improvement to performance and durability for Ukrainian HMMWVs, as well as enhancing crew protection," said UOP Director General Roman Romanov. "More specifically, the SCTV will provide a strengthened chassis and improved anti-mine and ballistic protection similar to that of MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) protection, which is designed specifically to withstand improvised explosive device attacks and ambushes."

The SCTV - specifically designed to provide a more robust platform for the contemporary battlefield - is comprised of three modular upgrade kits that offer superior crew protection while restoring lost vehicle performance and extending the life span of the vehicle. It is equipped to handle a variety of missions including fire support, command and control, reconnaissance, engineer support and troop transport.

At the IAVs conference, Textron’s Randy Yates, the Director of Life Cycle Support and Programme Manager for the company’s work in Afghanistan for the Mobile Strike Force Vehicle (MSFV) contract, gave a presentation on the challenges, successes and lessons learned from the in-country project. For large contracts – particularly those undertaken in-country – Yates said it was vital to build a team, get involved with the community and utilise the important local market. He also explained how the company’s strategy was to "execute in the present, plan for the future". Textron wanted this contract to be a springboard for further work in the region – and others like it – so Yates explained how his team took a long-term approach to the programme by making local connections and building relationships. The insight and lessons learned from the MSFV programme is sure to serve Textron well as it continues to expand into other global markets.