The Bastion APC is a modular range of 12-tonne 4×4 armoured personnel carrier vehicle that was produced by French Company ACMAT, a subsidiary of ARQUUS formerly Renault Trucks Defense. The Bastion APC is developed based on the rugged chassis of the VLRA 2 TDN-TDE 4×4 tactical vehicle series to provide a capable and reliable multirole platform. Bastion APC is economically built with common parts of VLRA 2, enabling easy maintenance and uncomplicated logistics. Its chassis, developed on the VLRA TDN-TDE 4×4 base, offers a combination of tactical performance, robustness and simplified maintenance.
The Bastion’s armored monocoque hull offers a large internal volume, as well as a protection against ballistic aggression, mines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED). The high hardness armored steel hull of the Bastion APC provides all-round protection against infantry rifles and machine guns (ballistic protection Level 1 to Level 3, NATO STANAG 4569) and artillery shell splinters. The Bastion uses V-hull technology, the purpose of this design is to increase vehicle and crew survivability by deflecting an upward directed blast from a landmine or Improvised Explosive Device away from the vehicle, while also presenting a sloped armor face.By presenting its armor at an angle, it increases the amount of material a ballistic projectile must pass through in order to penetrate the vehicle, and increases the chance of deflection. The anti-mine protection is Levels 2a / 2b NATO STANAG 4569. The crew and passenger survivability features include blast-resistant seats.
The Bastion APC is offered in two versions: personnel carrier or PATSAS for Special Forces. The APC version can also be utilized as an ambulance, cargo carrier or command post. Numerous African and Middle Eastern countries trust the Bastion for their peacekeeping, reconnaissance forces and combat missions. These vehicles are also used by Special Forces units. The Bastion APC ARQUUS Acmat can be fitted with a various types of remote weapon stations and turrets incorporating 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine guns, 40 mm automatic grenade launcher can be adapted to the Bastion APC range of vehicles. In option the Bastion APC can be equipped with 24 v pre-equipment radio communication kit, front electric winch and central tire inflation system.
The vehicle can be powered by a MD 5.0-litre Turbo Diesel Intercooler or Deutz engine that can give 215hp at 2,300 rpm, coupled to a 6-speed mechanical or 5-speed automatic transmission. The engine compartment is located at the front of the vehicle, leaving the remainder clear for the crew and passengers. The Bastion APC has cruise speed of 110 km/h and a maximum range of 1,000 km. The Bastion APC can negotiate side slope of 30% and maximum slope of 65% and can ford a maximum water depth of 1m. It can climb vertical obstacle of 0.5m maximum and cross a trench of 0.8m. The Bastion APC is air transportable by C130, C160, and A400M transport aircraft and by CH47 helicopter.
