Soframe Delivers First Batch of CRV Taurus Armored Recovery Vehicles to Belgian Defense Forces

The Belgian Defense Forces bought 15 units of Combat Recovery Vehicle (CRV) nicknamed Taurus equipped with an armored cabin, adapted by Soframe on a Mercedes Arocs chassis. The CRV consists of a carrier vehicle equipped with a towing system with tow-lift and tow-pull capacity, a hauling and self-hauling system. On May 12, the Belgian Armed Forces announced it has received its first eight of fifteen Taurus, the new recovery vehicle for the operational units of the Belgian Land Component (Belgian Army), have been delivered. About 40 operators and mechanics received the necessary training.

The CRV recovery truck can tow up to a 39-tonne vehicle, less in other modes involving other recovery modes than only towing. The engine is a 4-stroke turbodiesel OM 450, 6 cylinders in line, 12.816 liters, developing 476 hp (350 kW) at 1,600 rpm, with a maximum torque of 2.300 Nm at 1,100 rpm. This engine has been « calibrated » in Euro III standard to accept even poor-quality diesel fuel. The G 330-12 automatic gearbox offers 12 forward and 4 rearward gears. The crew cabin for both vehicles provides a high level of ballistic and mine protection. The ballistic and mine protection is similar to the Dingo II armored personnel carrier also in service with the Belgian Land Component.

The DeFNder Light 7.62 RWCS (Remote Control Weapon Station) with cabin controls and smoke can launchers Rosy Rapid Obscuring System (smoke launcher) provides active protection to the personnel and the vehicle. The ROSY system allows the vehicle and its occupants to be concealed from enemy fire. It provides protection against anti-tank weapons guided by TV, EO, IR, IIR, laser and SACLOS. Unlike smoke systems conventional, it not only creates a large and instantaneous multispectral screen but also produces dynamic smoke/screen which can protect a vehicle by the movement against multiple attacks. The Taurus is equipped with a Battle Damage Repair (BDR) kit, electrical and pneumatic connections, and a range of tools.

Soframe is a subsidiary of the French Lohr Group, known for its innovative mobility solutions. SOFRAME is very flexible in its approach, offering a wide range of vehicles that are customised to the individual needs of each customer. SOFRAME offers a wide range of vehicles and equipment : Transport and recovery systems, Armoured command post and support vehicles, Combat vehicles, Light air-mobile vehicles, Anti-riot vehicles, Semi-trailer tank transporters, Logistics trailers. LOHR is a private French group established in Alsace near Strasbourg. For more than 55 years it has been a global specialist in the design, manufacture and marketing of goods transport systems. Today the LOHR Group has 1 350 members of staff throughout the world, a development centre with more than 120 engineers and technicians, and factories in Turkey, Serbia, India, United States and Mexico.