Armor: November 16, 2000

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Poland has selected OTOBreda of Italy to develop a new turret for its BMP-1 armored infantry fighting vehicles. This two-man turret will mount a 25mm gun and will be based on the HITFIST turret used in the Dardo infantry fighting vehicle. The Poles want the turret to weigh no more than 1,600kg so that the BMP will remain amphibious. The Poles considered turrets by Sweden (CV9040), the US (LAV-25), and United Defense (a one-man turret) before selecting the Italian design. The Poles also plan to buy a new wheeled armored personnel carrier and may decide to install the same turret on it. Wheeled armored cars under consideration include the MOWAG 8x8 Piranha (the Americans call this the LAV), the French Panhard 6x6, and the Austrian Steyr 6x6 Pandur.--Stephen V Cole