Armor: April 21, 2002

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Jordan is building two improved prototypes of its Temsah (Crocodile) heavy infantry fighting vehicle, which is converted from a surplus Centurion tank. The power pack is moved to the front, the turret removed, and a new troop compartment built at the rear. The Temsah carries a driver, commander-gunner, eight infantry, and a stockpile of "combat supplies". There is a Thales Stabilized Weapons and Reconnaissance Mount (with a 20mm gun) on top of the first prototype. The two new prototypes will carry new Russian-built turrets. One of them will be the complete two-man turret from the BMP-3, with its 30mm cannon and 100mm gun-launcher. The other is the new TKB-799 Kliver one-man turret, with a 30mm cannon, four Kornet laser-riding anti-tank missiles, and a 7.62mm machinegun. The Jordanians plan to use of their Temsah chassis as self-propelled 155mm howitzers, self-propelled 120mm mortars, a tank destroyer (with missiles), a multiple-launch rocket system, a command post vehicle, an air defense vehicle, and an ammunition supply vehicle. It is interesting that the only other country seriously pursuing the idea of infantry carriers built on tank chassis is Israel.--Stephen V Cole


 

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