The IAG Guardian is a United Arab Emirates-made armored personnel vehicle. It was developed by the International Armored Group company. It's available in 4x4 and 6x6 configurations.[1] This vehicle has been used in the Middle East conflict and has been marked as battle proven to participate in low intensity conflicts.
| IAG Guardian | |
|---|---|
 IAG Guardian of Lithuanian VST | |
| Type | Armoured personnel carrier |
| Place of origin | United Arab Emirates |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | International Armored Group (IAG) |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 8-12 tonnes |
| Length | 5.95 meters |
| Width | 2.43 meters |
| Height | 2.56 meters |
| Crew | 2 + 10 pessenger |
| Armor | STANAG level II (basic) STANAG level III (with add on armor) |
Main armament | M2HB Browning 12.7mm |
| Engine | 6.7L V8 Diesel (300hp/790lb-ft) 6.2L V8 Petrol (385hp/430lb-ft) 6.8L V10 Petrol (288hp/424lb-ft) |
| Suspension | 4x4 6x6 |
| Maximum speed | 120 km/h |
Design
editGuardians are able to withstand projectiles fired from high level ballistic and blast resistance. Equipped with diesel V8 turbo 6.7 L engine that produces 300 HP or engine type 6.8L V10, this machine produces 352 HP power with 5 or 6 speed automatic transmission. Guardian can speed up to 120 km per hour on smooth with the range up to 800 km.
For the protection aspect, the Guardian is designed with standard ballistic protection up to CEN Level B6 or STANAG level II. But with an add-on armor package, Guardian protection can be upgraded to CEN Level B7 or STANAG level III. Additional protection can be removed to reduce the weight of the vehicle, such as to facilitate maneuvering the vehicle while crossing off-road terrain. In principle, the Guardian provides 360 degree protection to its crew, including the implementation of 3 point door locking to provide extra protection in the face of explosive effects.
The Guardian is also able to withstand a 6 kg TNT effect that explodes under the vehicle.[2][3]
Variants
edit- Guardian 4x4
- Basic variant for low intensity conflict in two axle configuration.[4] Can carry a total of 10 personnel, including driver/commander.[4]
Combat history
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The IAG Guardian was used by Kurdish Military Forces in Iraq and the Syrian Democratic Forces in Syria, it showed combat capabilities by protecting soldiers in operations.[6]
The IAG Guardian is also operated by the Malaysian Armed Forces for its peacekeeping mission in Lebanon under the United Nations (UN) flag.[7]
Operators
edit
Bangladesh: In police service.[8]
Bulgaria: 45 Guardian Xtreme MRAPs delivered in December 2021 for Bulgarian special forces. They were built locally at the SAMARM 90 factory.[9]
Chile: In Chilean Gendarmerie.[10]
Kosovo: In police service.
Lithuania: In Public Security Service.[11]
Malaysia: 12 Guardian 4x4 Xtreme in service with Malaysian Army United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon,[12][13][14] 4 ordered by Royal Malaysia Police.[15]
Niger: The Nigerien Army received IAG Guardians courtesy of German assistance.[16]
Vietnam: In police service.[17]
Non-state actors
edit
References
edit- ^ "New IAG MRAP armored vehicles Guardian Xtreme in 4x4 and 6x6 configurations | March 2018 Global Defense Security army news industry | Defense Security global news industry army 2018 | Archive News year".
- ^ "International Armored Group - Guardian Armored Personnel Carrier". interarmored.com. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
- ^ "GUARDIAN IAG 4x4 APC armoured personnel carrier technical data sheet specification description intelligence pictures video | United Arab Emirates wheeled armoured vehicles UK | United Arab Emirates military equipment vehicle UK". armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
- ^ a b c d e "New IAG MRAP armored vehicles Guardian Xtreme in 4x4 and 6x6 configurations | March 2018 Global Defense Security army news industry | Defense Security global news industry army 2018 | Archive News year".
- ^ "International Armored Group".
- ^ "IAG Guardian APC 4x4 armoured personnel carrier combat-proven by Kurdish armed forces in Iraq". armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
- ^ "DSA 2022: Weststar IAG Guardian 4x4 armored vehicles used by Malaysian peacekeeping units in Lebanon | DSA 2022 News Official Show Daily | Defence security exhibitions 2022 show daily news category".
- ^ https://www.flickr.com/photos/shadman_samee/32443084686[better source needed]
- ^ "Video: IAG Guardian Xtreme MRAP 4x4 armored vehicles for Special Forces of Bulgaria | International Global Defense Security News Web TV | World defense news TV Video army military UK".
- ^ "Gendarmería de Chile recibe dos nuevos blindados IAG Guardian 4x4". infodefensa.com. 2023-03-15. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
- ^ "Viešojo saugumo tarnybą pasiekė nauji specialios paskirties šarvuočiai".
- ^ "Malaysian Defence - The More The Merrier".
- ^ "Guardians Soon To Lebanon - DSA 2018 Shorts". Malaysian Defence. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
- ^ "Rise Of The Guardians". Malaysian Defence. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
- ^ "Its the Guardian Extreme for GOF APC".
- ^ "GERMANY/NIGER : Germany beefs up Niger's army with IAG armoured vehicles - 12/02/2021". 12 February 2021.
- ^ "IAG Company from United Arab Emirates has delivered Guardian 4x4 APC to Vietnam 12609163 | September 2016 Global Defense Security news industry | Defense Security global news industry army 2016 | Archive News year".
- ^ "US Supplies First Armored Vehicles to Syrian Fighters".
- ^ "US Gives Syrian Kurds Combat Vehicles, Mortars, Anti-Tank Weapons, and More". 11 May 2017.
- ^ International Institute for Strategic Studies (February 2016). The Military Balance 2016. Vol. 116. Routledge. p. 491. ISBN 9781857438352.
