The problem with smaller, lighter vehicles is that, even if the blast from a land mine or improvised explosive device does not penetrate them, they can still be flung into the air and crew members can be killed by the impact of the vehicle hitting the ground again (often in an inverted position). Increasing vehicle weight is not an option, as that has consequences regarding manoeuvrability, mobility, transportability by aircraft, and especially helicopters, cost, size (which has follow-on consequences in terms of visibility), and so on. Small, light military vehicles are small and light for good reasons.

However, Land Systems OMC has more than 100 engineering personnel in six depart- ments, with 30 computer-assisted design stations, equipped with both protec-tion simulation software and vehicle design software. The company also has in-house test facilities (as well as access to national test facilities) and rapid prototyping capability. It can also call on relevant expertise from other sister companies in the global BAE Systems group. Thus, some of Land Systems OMC’s research and development work is being done in cooperation with BAE Systems Land Systems Hägglunds, in Sweden.

Although the war in Iraq is now showing signs of winding down, Steyn remains confident about the future of the global market for the company’s mine-protected vehicles – designated mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles by the Americans – such as the RG31, the RG32 and the RG33, which have been ordered in their thousands in recent years. “The big requirements for MRAPs will decline with time,” he points out. “But there is quite a lot of potential in other smaller markets, such as in parts of Europe. US and Canadian use of our vehicles has made our products very attractive to many countries, whose forces are working alongside the US, and know, from the Americans, that our vehicles deliver.”

Spain provides an example with its recent €64,6-million order for 100 RG31 Mk5E vehicles, all of which will be built in South Africa. The order is split up into 85 armoured personnel carriers (APC), ten ambulances, and five command-post vehicles. The 4 × 4 RG31 Mk5E has a combat weight of up to 17 t, including 3,5 t of payload, and in its APC configura-tion can carry ten troops (a driver plus nine others). This contract is scheduled to be com-pleted next year, but there is an option for a follow-on batch of a further 80 vehicles, some of which would be built in Spain.

“Quite apart from those countries involved in combat operations, there are those who participate in UN peacekeeping,” cites Steyn. “So there is still a lot of poten-tial out there. There may be fewer vehicles per customer, but a greater number of customers.”

BAE Systems Land Systems South Africa (which includes both BAE Systems Land Systems OMC and BAE Systems Land Systems Gear Ratio) recently acquired the former IST Dynamics (now Land Systems Dynamics). “IST Dynamics had expertise in remotely controlled weapons stations, smaller turrets and fire directing systems,” he explains. “This complemented Land Systems OMC’s capabilities. Acquiring the company brings us benefits. It gives us in-house capability and allows us to become a prime contractor, delivering a complete system. Until now, we’ve had to supply vehicles to prime contractors, who then installed the turrets and weapon systems.”