The Royal Marine commandos of Viking Squadron are teaching their American counterparts how to operate their all-terrain vehicle.

According to a Royal Navy press release:

“Viking is similar to the long-serving BV tracked vehicle – except it’s armed and armoured, providing both firepower and protection for the ten Royal Marines transported in the rear cab. It also keeps them warm and spares them exhausting marches, especially in the Arctic.

For the past few weeks, the Viking Squadron have been teaching the US Marine Corps how to operate their armour under Project Odin, as the ‘Semper Fi guys’ look for a vehicle suited to such extremes as they expand their cold weather warfare capability.”

Part of that expansion has involved the commandos teaching the Americans the art of Arctic survival and combat a part of Exercise Cold Enabler according to a release. For 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines, that’s also included driver training on the Viking say the Royal Navy.

“Viking is the vehicle of choice,” explained C/Sgt Alex Hayden, in charge of the armoured training in Norway.

“It’s capable of crossing undulating deep snow, steep slopes and swimming in water, it can also be mounted with a heavy machine-gun and has white phosphorous smoke. This makes it a formidable but manoeuvrable vehicle.

Since being in the Arctic, the US Marines are realising the true benefits of this vehicle and the capability it can offer to their commanders.”

US Marine Sgt Scotty Lyall is one of those who’s received Viking training under the Royal Marines.

“The instruction has been fantastic. We don’t have a vehicle like this, and this is exactly what we need in this environment.”

 

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George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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[…] post Vikings in Norway as Royal Marines train Americans on their vehicles appeared first on UK Defence […]

ben hambling
ben hambling
6 years ago

for whom this may concern if you were wondering the viking is a apc not a man with horns as my friend said

Jack
Jack
6 years ago
Reply to  ben hambling

The performance of the Vikings in Afghanistan was well regraded by the RM and the army
http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/86013/mod-touts-viking’s-performance-in-afghanistan.html

Mike Saul
Mike Saul
6 years ago
Reply to  Jack

From the Telegraph 2009 Major Jez Hermer, a former Royal Marine who commanded the first Viking force in Afghanistan and now a consultant for STK, said because of the Viking’s small size it was “pushed to limits and beyond” in terms of adding greater protection. The Warthog, which has been extensively tested in the Middle East by the Army, has been built with a specially reinforced hull but also has the capacity for adding on another four tons of armour or other protective equipment. “We wait to see what the Taliban will do in response but when things do happen… Read more »

Mike Saul
Mike Saul
6 years ago

Viking didn’t do to well in Afghanistan, hence the purchase of Warthog vehicles from Singapore via UOR.

For the life of me I don’t understand why we have scrapped the Warthog yet retained the Viking.

Rob Collinson
Rob Collinson
6 years ago
Reply to  Mike Saul

it its a matter of ‘horses for courses’.

Viking is not designed for desert warfare whereas the Viking is (and vice versa).

Mike Saul
Mike Saul
6 years ago
Reply to  Rob Collinson

Did anyone tell Brazil, Malaysia and Indonesia that before they purchased BVS vehicles?

Think you will find both vehicles can operate in all weather conditions.

Stuart Willard
6 years ago
Reply to  Mike Saul

Viking is a light vehicle designed for predominantly Arctic conditions the Warhog is similiar in oncept but much heavier and better protected with greater capacity which is why it was procured for Afganistan conditions where it was far more practical than the Viking. However for the marines specialising in arctic warfare the Viking is a far better vehicle having superior performance in those Conditions especially in soft snow and lighter. It is also a far better bet for quick reaction forces being more easily transportable in C130s. It’s horses for courses and tbh in artic conditions I would rather rely… Read more »

Mike Saul
Mike Saul
6 years ago
Reply to  Stuart Willard

Well let’s just hope we don’t have another Afghanistan type operation in the future otherwise we will have to procure another set of new vehicles to do the fighting in, whilst leaving the vikings at home. Of course the warthogs were to be integrated into the main Army force, but given the nature of UOR funding the Army decided this was unaffordable. Even though the cost to the UK taxpayer was zero as they had already been purchased by the UK Treasury. The demise of the battle proven Warthog is another sad episode in the hollowing out of our defence… Read more »

Harry Bulpit
Harry Bulpit
6 years ago

Oh good so when the marines get axed we already have a customer lined up for their kit.

Marc
Marc
6 years ago
Reply to  Harry Bulpit

We can have them expensively refitted first then sell them to them at a greatly reduced cost. Maybe even give them an aid package to the same value as the sale.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
6 years ago
Reply to  Harry Bulpit

Not really. Even if the RM suffer a reduction the Commando’s will still be there and so will Armoured Support Group RM.

farouk
farouk
6 years ago

The US DOD have posted a wee film clip of the above taking place on a skid pan. Enjoy:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfnwYRwj7Bp/?utm_source=ig_embed&action=save

Chris
Chris
6 years ago
Reply to  farouk

“For the benefit of Mr Kite
There will be a show tonight
on Sliding Viking”

Trust the Septics to chuck their flag on one though! Cool! Not often we show them some kit of which they haven’t got 10 times more!