The US State Department has cleared Spain to purchase 11 assault amphibious vehicles, built by BAE systems, in a deal that could be worth $107 million.
The Government of Spain has requested to buy eight Assault Amphibious Vehicles (AAVP-7A1); two Assault Amphibious Vehicles (Command) (AAVC-7A1) and one Assault Amphibious Vehicle (Recovery).
The principal contractor will be BAE Systems, York, Pennsylvania, and Anniston, Alabama.
Also included are Enhanced Armor Applique Kits (EAAK), spare and repair parts, tools and test equipment, technical data and publications, training and training material, U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics and program support.
According to the contract notification, found here, the proposed addition of these eleven vehicles to Spain’s fleet will afford more flexibility and maintain Spain’s expeditionary capability to counter regional threats and continue to enhance stability in the region.
“Spain currently operates 19 Assault Amphibious Vehicles (AAVs) and is proficient at using them to their fullest capability. Spain will have no difficulty absorbing these additional vehicles.”
The total estimated program cost is $107 million.
I knew some one would mention Gib!
I don’t see the point using them at Gib or where they could land when they can just drive across the border!
That price. For 11 vehicles?
Why have the RM never operated vehicles of this type? Excluding the current Hippo vehicles and Vikings which are not used in this fashion.
The Chinese/North Koreans werent expecting an amphibious landing to happen well behind the front line either.
They are now, most North Korean beaches and waters are heavily mined to stop them being flanked, ironically the weak point in their defences is their border with China which is quite porous.
Because the Royal Marines are light infantry where the USMC and services based upon are more ‘mechanised infantry’.
Back in the good old days of the Cold War the AAV would have been a good vehicle for the RCT to operate in a logistics role…..
We had the Stalwart for that.
I would cross a German river in one of those, but I wouldn’t go from an LSL or LPD through surf in one. It is forgotten that during the Cold War the RCT had a large fleet of LC’s.
There were the LCL operated by the RLC until quite recently,
17 PMR still has some LCVP I think.
If its surprise they want then …. no one expects the Spanish Inquisition!
Whatever happened to that advanced amphibious assault vehicle the USMC was developing and then cancelled was there no replacement at all? The AAV is well passed its sell by date.
Being replaced by the Iveco SuperAV under the ACV designation.
It includes support services… But still for 11 vehicles, one of them recovery, it makes the eyes water…
It’s not as if it’s new, it went into service in 1972 I find.
Beat me to it, Grrrrrr.
Its wouldn’t be wrong to consider possible Spanish usage. I hope we do.
This is the one time we actually want BAE to glue the bolt heads on.
lol.
If not Gib then maybe the beaches of Catalonia.
@ DM
The RCT operated a lot more than the RCL.
I’m sure they did Steve. I was not questioning you but commenting on the recent demise of the RCL’s.
These amphibians are pretty soft skinned. Falklands war invasion one of these was stopped dead in its tracks on the road from airport into Stanley. No Arggies got out.
That was with LAW and Carl Gustav anti tank rounds. Not sure how these vehicles was do against modern anti tank weapons. Me thinks not very well at all.
They are really just taxis for ship to shore (in calm sea states) and around a beachhead and provide small arms and fragmentation protection only.