Albania joins the ranks of COTS-based light AFV suppliers
A new 4x4 armoured vehicle from an Albanian company best known for its ambulances and police cars was displayed at Eurosatory this year. What are its chances in a crowded market?
Albania’s military and security forces have traditionally used light armoured vehicles (LAVs) from overseas including Italian IDV LMV and US Navistar Defense MaxxProPlus 4x4s... Continues below
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Above: A side view of the TIMAK Shota 4x4 protected vehicle with steps lowered at the rear. (Photo: author)
Local Albanian company TIMAK has now designed and built the first example of its Shota 4x4, which it calls a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle.
As usual with new contractors entering the very competitive LAV market the Shota is based on a COTS Ford F550 chassis.
This is fitted with an all-welded armoured body with a single forward opening door in each side and another at the rear, which folds down to provide a step so that occupants can rapidly enter and leave the vehicle. In addition there is an emergency hatch to the immediate rear of the roof-mounted protected weapon station.
This can be armed with a 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine gun or replaced by a remote weapon station (RWS) toting a similar weapon.
Protection is through 360 degrees using Swedish Armox Advanced 9mm steel amour and the lower part of the hull is V-shaped to provide protection against mines and IEDs, thus arguably earning the MRAP description.
According to TIMAK, ballistic protection is effective against Russian 7.62x39mm API BZ rounds at a distance of 30m with a muzzle velocity of 695m/s.
Artillery protection is cited against a NATO 155mm high explosive projectile detonating at a distance of 80m through 360 degrees and in azimuth of 0-22 degrees.
Blast protection can handle a 6kg anti-tank mine or a 25kg side blast, while wider mine protection is classified as 2a which is a pressure mine activated under any wheel station and 2b against a mine explosion under the centre of the vehicle.
All windows are of 56mm thick ballistic glass, said to be virtually indistinguishable from standard glazing.
Shota is fitted with a heavy duty runflat tyre system, central tyre inflation system and an upgraded brake kit compared to the baseline fF550.
Standard equipment includes a 24V electrical system, front-mounted winch, blast mitigation seats, video recording and monitoring system, heater and air conditioning.
In addition the protected bonnet is hydraulically operated and a 13t towing hook is fitted as standard, with a replacement wheel and tyre supplied fitted to the right side of the hull.
This is the first protected vehicle that TIMAK has completed although they have also supplied a variety of other specialist vehicles for home and export markets.
Most of contractors developing vehicles of this type use a COTS chassis, not only to reduce cost but also to provide a local source for spare parts.
The Mercedes-Benz UNIMOG is widely used for such designs and at the lighter end of the market the Toyota Land Cruiser is now the preferred choice following the end of production of the Land Rover in the UK.
Shota is clearly facing some stiif and well-entrenched international competition, but it may be able to leverage its position as an in-country supplier for any future Albanian LAV procurements.
Other articles in this newsletter:
Shifting allegiances – what Eurosatory 2024 told us about Europe’s defence sector
KNDS completes first Boxer Tracked, but who will buy it?
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