January22, 2007:
Switzerland is converting many of its armored vehicles to other uses.
Two-thirds of their TOW missile equipped wheeled armored vehicles are being
turned into ambulances (40) and Battle Management Vehicles (160). The Swiss
vehicles are the basic design on which the American Stryker armor vehicle
was based. Ironically, the Battle Management Vehicles will be a key component
in the Swiss armies "battlefield Internet." The American Strykers are also
lavishly equipped with computers, and have proven very successful. The Swiss
Battle Management Vehicles will also, like many Strykers, be armed with a
remote control (from the inside) turret (firing a heavy machine-gun). Some old
tanks are becoming combat engineer vehicles.
The
converted armored vehicles entered service in the 1990s, but the conversion,
and refurbishment, is expected to keep them in service for another twenty
years, or more.