Albert Thompson
Many of us wonder. Which is the best armored personnel carrier in the world? Which is the greatest modern APC and why? Our Top 10 analysis is based on the combined score of protection, firepower, capacity and mobility. All of the armored vehicles mentioned here are great, however not all of them have seen combat during military operations yet. Analysis is based on specifications and available data. Why all APCs listed here are wheeled? Because currently there is a trend that tracked vehicles are retired from this role due to their poor protection against mines. Why all APCs listed here have 8x8 configuration? Because 8x8 configuration offers better overall mobility, internal volume and payload capacity. This list includes only operational vehicles, that are currently in production. After exhaustive research I was surprised with the results.
The AMV (Advaced Modular Vehicle) armored personnel carrier was developed by Patria in association with the Finish Defense Force. The main goal was to design a platform with better protection, greater mobility, payload and internal volume, than current XA-203 6x6 APCs. The first prototype of the AMV was built in 2001.
The Piranha V is the latest and most protected vehicle of the Piranha line. It was developed by MOWAG and revealed in 2010. It is the latest and most protected vehicle of the MOWAG Piranha line.
The LAV III Kodiak armored personnel carrier is a license produced version of Swiss MOWAG Piranha III. Vehicle is produced by General Motors Land Systems and entered service with Canadian army in 1999.
The Terrex AV81 8x8 wheeled armored personnel carrier was originally developed in Ireland by Timoney for Singapore Technologies Kinetics. Vehicle underwent initial trials in Ireland and United Kingdom and was shipped to Singapore for evaluation in late 2000. Production commenced in 2006. The Singapore Armed Forces acquired at least 135 Terrex armored personnel carriers.
The Bocer armored personnel carrier has a modular design with interchangeable mission modules. This APC is in service with Germany and the Netherlands.
The Stryker armored personnel carrier is based on Canadian LAV III light armored vehicle, that traced back its origins to the Swiss MOWAG Piranha IIIH. The Stryker is considered as an interim vehicle, until more advanced future designs will be available.
The Pandur II armored personnel carrier was developed as a private venture. It is available in 6x6 and 8x8 configurations. This armored vehicle can use a variety of weapon stations.
The AV8 armored personnel carrier was developed in Turkey by FNSS to meet a Malaysian Army requirement. It evolved from the Turkish Pars, which in turn was developed by American GPV. First vehicles were delivered to Malaysia in 2013.
Front arc provides protection against 14.5-mm armor-piercing rounds. All-round protection is against 7.62-mm armor-piercing rounds. Vehicle has a V-shaped hull and withstands blasts equivalent to 8 kg of TNT under any wheel and 6 kg under the hull.
The most numerous version of this APC is fitted with a 30-mm cannon and coaxial 7.62-mm machine gun. Some APCs will also have anti-tank guided missile launchers.
Vehicle is fitted with a powerful engine, developing 523 hp. It seems that the AV8 has the same sophisticated active suspension, used on the GPV armored vehicles and the Pars.
The BTR-4 armored personnel carrier was developed in Ukraine as a private venture. Sometimes the BTR-4 is nicknamed the Bucefal ( Bucephalus). Its prototype was unveiled in 2006. It was approved for production in 2008 and first deliveries to Ukrainian Army were expected in 2009.
The BTR-82 armored personnel carrier is a latest version of the BTR-80 family. It is an improved version of the BTR-80A/S, which entered service back in 1994. It was developed largely as a complement (and a stop-gap) for a BTR-90, whose development has been long, troubled and expensive.
