DoubleTapper: Plasan Sand Cat Armored Vehicle

Plasan Sand Cat Armored Vehicle

Plasan, a global leader in survivability and combat-proven armor solutions for vehicles, airborne platforms and personal protection, announces the delivery of 25 SandCat vehicles in cooperation with Oshkosh Defense, for the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense.

During a visit to Israel earlier this month, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and Bulgarian Minister of Defence Nikolay Mladenov examined the SandCat up close, followed by meetings with their Israeli counterparts: Benjamin Netanyahu and Ehud Barak.

Mr. Yaron Roded, Director for Marketing and Business Development at Plasan, comments: "The SandCat design fits perfectly into today's peacekeeping and HLS tasks, taking into account the emerging threats while maintaining the required flexibility for off-road and on-road mission profile which are so essential for many armies, police, and SWAT teams world-wide."

Earlier this month, Plasan welcomed Israeli Minister of Defense Ehud Barak to its facilities in Kibbutz Sasa. This visit marks an additional award to deliver 79 SandCats specifically designed for the Israeli Border Police Patrol; a contract valued at $14 million. As opposed to vehicles currently in use by IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) such as the Armored HMMWV'e (190hp), Up-armored Storm Jeep (180hp) and Armored Land-rover "David" (122hp) the SandCat is equipped with a 6.4L, V8 Turbo Diesel engine with 350hp output capable to reach a maximum speed of 130km/h.

The SandCat is based on an upgraded commercial off-the-shelf Ford F-Series 4x4 chassis, adapted by Oshkosh Defense for military use and fitted with Plasan advanced Metal Composite & Ceramics Composite armor. The SandCat provides a high level of protection for the crew while maintaining excellent maneuverability capabilities.

The SandCat design is state-of-the-art in all aspects: exterior design, choice of materials, ergonomics, integration of advanced electronic systems, NBC safety systems, suspended/collapsible seats are part of the Blast mitigation system and the advanced composite materials against IEDs and road side bombs are providing high level of crew survivability.

Plasan also has a longer version called the "Sand Cat Plus". Painted in civilian colors, it has a station wagon style body, 8 seats and wesigned as a low-profile vehicle for use by elite units. In contrast to the military Sand Cat, the Plus is fitted with full side body mouldings and is painted in civilian colors. Despite the SUV appearance it still has a high level of armor as well as NBC and fire suppression systems. It has a remarkably small turning circle and has been described as surprisingly quick for a 7 ton vehicle.

DoubleTapper: Plasan Sand Cat Armored Vehicle