248 army tanks temporarily banned from driving
Published: Monday, Dec 18th 2023, 15:50
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All 248 M113 armored personnel carriers are affected by the driving ban on army infantry fighting vehicles that was announced at the weekend. This was announced by the federal government on Monday. A defect that could cause the drive shaft to break was discovered during maintenance. This would render the tanks unable to steer or brake.
The necessary repair work and the procurement of the required spare parts have already been initiated, the Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) announced on Monday. However, due to supply bottlenecks on the markets, not least because of the war in Ukraine, the procurement of spare parts could be delayed.
Training for the recruit schools starting on January 15, 2024 is ensured with restrictions, the statement continued. Until sufficient vehicles are operational again, there will be a reduction in the availability of equipment for the formations on training duty. Artillery training is also guaranteed with restrictions.
Replacement planned
The M113 fleet comprises 248 vehicles and has been in service with the army for over 50 years. Their replacement is planned in various armament programs, wrote the DDPS
The infantry fighting vehicles are used as armored personnel carriers or for artillery fire control and fire direction. Individual models of the M113 were also converted into light mine-clearing tanks.
Switzerland has had M113 wheeled infantry fighting vehicles since the early 1960s. Over 800 obsolete vehicles have since been scrapped. With the reduction of the Army 95 and Army XXI stocks, various weapon systems have been decommissioned, decommissioned, sold or disposed of.
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