ACMAT Bastion
{{Infobox weapon
| name = ACMAT Bastion
| image = MINUSMA Goundam 2015.jpg
| image_size = 300
| caption = A MINUSMA Bastion APC in Northern Mali, 2015
| origin = France
| type = Armoured personnel carrier
| is_vehicle = yes
| is_UK = yes
| service = 2012–present
| wars = {{ubl|Insurgency in the Sahel
|2015 offensive against Boko Haram
| designer = ACMAT
| manufacturer = * ACMAT (Former, France){{cite journal|title=Cameroon's Bastion APCs now in action|date=6 June 2018|first1=Erwan|last1=de Cherisey|journal=Jane's Defence Weekly|url=http://j7dw4xlk473roufa2qi1siiq-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Cameroons-Bastion-APCs-now-in-action.pdf|access-date=9 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110073648/http://j7dw4xlk473roufa2qi1siiq-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Cameroons-Bastion-APCs-now-in-action.pdf|archive-date=10 January 2019|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
- Renault Truck Defense (Former, France)
- Arquus (Current, France)
- MACK Defense (Former, USA)As of October 2017, [https://web.archive.org/web/20171022193517/http://www.mackdefense.com/products/ using the Wayback machine on the official MACK Defense website indicates that it no longer shows the Bastion family.]{{better source needed|date=October 2019}}
- AM General (Current, USA){{Cite web|url=https://www.amgeneral.com/what-we-do/platforms-automotive-systems/vehicle-lineup/bastion-by-am-general/|title = Bastion by AM General}}
| variants = {{ubl|Bastion|PATSAS|Fortress}}
| length = {{Convert|6|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| width = {{Convert|2.2|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| height = {{Convert|2.4|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| crew = 2
| passengers = 8–10
| armour = STANAG 4569 level 1 to level 3
| primary_armament = 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm ring or remote control turret{{cite web|title=Bastion|url=https://www.arquus-defense.com/bastion|website=arquus-defense.com|access-date=5 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106010548/https://www.arquus-defense.com/bastion|archive-date=6 January 2019|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
| engine_power = {{convert|180|hp|kW PS|abbr=on}}
{{convert|450|lbft}}
| fuel_capacity =
| suspension = wheeled
| clearance =
| vehicle_range = {{Convert|1400|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| speed = {{Convert|110|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}
| guidance =
}}
The ACMAT Bastion is a modern French armoured personnel carrier, manufactured by ACMAT.
The Bastion was available to customers in North America and Oceania via Mack Defense.{{Cite web|url=https://pdfhost.io/v/z8xA15NL0_MACK_Bastionpdf.pdf|title = MACK Bastion.PDF}}https://sotatalousseura-fi-bin.directo.fi/@Bin/a6669c15439b7a5fc3ddc07326e47b1c/1571276489/application/pdf/177947/Volvo{{Dead link|date=July 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Trucks presentation Sotataloudellinen seura 25112013.pdf As of 2021, AM General is making the Bastion.{{Cite web|url=https://www.amgeneral.com/what-we-do/platforms-automotive-systems/vehicle-lineup/bastion-by-am-general/|title = Bastion by AM General}}
Design
Its chassis is based on the ACMAT VLRA. In 2018, Arquus, owner of ACMAT, signed a contract with AM General to propose the Bastion as an armored ambulance for the U.S. Army.{{cite web|title=Le groupe français ARQUUS s'allie avec AM General pour tenter d'imposer son blindé Bastion aux États-Unis|url=http://www.opex360.com/2018/10/08/le-groupe-francais-arquus-sallie-avec-am-general-pour-tenter-dimposer-son-blinde-bastion-aux-etats-unis/|first=Laurent|last=Lagneau|website=Zone Militaire|date=8 October 2018|language=fr|access-date=5 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106010707/http://www.opex360.com/2018/10/08/le-groupe-francais-arquus-sallie-avec-am-general-pour-tenter-dimposer-son-blinde-bastion-aux-etats-unis/|archive-date=6 January 2019|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
= Bastion PATSAS =
File:RSP soldiers during the 2015 Burkinabé coup.png (left) during the 2015 Burkinabé coup d'état.]]
The Bastion PATSAS (PATrouille SAS) is a variant designed for special forces. It is lighter (10 tonnes) and carries 5 equipped soldiers. It is armed with a 12.7mm heavy machine gun and can carry 3 additional medium machine guns.{{cite web|title=Les forces armées tchadiennes ont reçu leurs premiers véhicules blindés Bastion Patsas|url=http://www.opex360.com/2013/02/19/les-forces-armees-tchadiennes-ont-recu-leurs-premiers-vehicules-blindes-bastion-patsas/|date=19 February 2013|first=Laurent|last=Lagneau|website=Zone Militaire|language=fr|access-date=5 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106010821/http://www.opex360.com/2013/02/19/les-forces-armees-tchadiennes-ont-recu-leurs-premiers-vehicules-blindes-bastion-patsas/|archive-date=6 January 2019|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
= Fortress =
The Fortress, formerly Bastion HM (High Mobility), is an up-armored Bastion, with a more powerful motor (340 hp) and an independent suspension to improve its mobility.{{cite web|title=RTD élargit sa gamme Bastion|date=16 June 2014|url=http://forcesoperations.com/rtd-elargit-sa-gamme-bastion/|website=forcesoperations.com|language=fr|access-date=9 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110014227/http://forcesoperations.com/rtd-elargit-sa-gamme-bastion/|archive-date=10 January 2019|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} It exists in two versions, APC and armored logistic vehicle.{{cite web|title=Fortress|url=https://www.arquus-defense.com/fortress|website=arquus-defense.com|access-date=9 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110014138/https://www.arquus-defense.com/fortress|archive-date=10 January 2019|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
Service history
= West Africa =
The Chadian détachement d'action rapide (rapid action detachment) used the Bastion PATSAS during the 2013 intervention in Mali.{{cite magazine|title=Les FATIM au combat : Premier engagement réussi pour le Bastion PATSAS|magazine=Raid|issue=328|date=September 2013|pages=70–71|last= Husson|first= Jean-Pierre|language=fr}} The Chadian Army also fielded Bastions during the 2015 intervention against Boko Haram in Far North Cameroon and Nigeria.{{cite web|title=It starts here – from DSEI to Chad|url=https://www.caat.org.uk/issues/arms-fairs/dsei/it-starts-here/2015/patsas-to-chad|date=14 September 2015|first=Francesco|last=Finucci|access-date=8 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109110834/https://www.caat.org.uk/issues/arms-fairs/dsei/it-starts-here/2015/patsas-to-chad|archive-date=9 January 2019|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
The Cameroonian Bastion APCs, nicknamed as Cyclones, have been deployed in Northern Cameroon with the Battalion d'intervention rapide elite force.
Burkina Faso deployed its Bastions in peacekeeping operations in Northern Mali, under the MINUSMA banner.{{cite web|first1=Jeremy |last1=Binnie|first2=Erwan|last2= de Cherisey|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622123315/http://www.janes.com/images/assets/520/71520/New-model_African_armies.pdf|title= New-model African armies|publisher= Jane's|date= 2017|archive-date= 22 June 2017|url=http://www.janes.com/images/assets/520/71520/New-model_African_armies.pdf|url-status=live}} They have also been used in internal security missions, Bastion PATSAS being for instance fielded by the regiment de sécurité présidentielle before its disbandment in 2015.{{cite news|title=Burkina Faso: le désarmement du RSP avance au compte-goutte|url=http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20150927-burkina-faso-desarmement-rsp-munitions-vehicules-blindes-armee-regiment-securite-pr|date=28 September 2015|work=Radio France Internationale|language=fr|access-date=8 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109062547/http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20150927-burkina-faso-desarmement-rsp-munitions-vehicules-blindes-armee-regiment-securite-pr|archive-date=9 January 2019|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} One Bastion was destroyed by Ansar ul Islam in the 2016 Nassoumbou attack.{{cite journal|title=Ansaroul Islam and the Growing Terrorist Insurgency in Burkina Faso|date=March 2018|volume=11|issue=3|first1=Héni|last1=Nsaibia|first2=Caleb|last2=Weiss|journal=CTC Sentinel|pages=21–26|url=https://ctc.usma.edu/ansaroul-islam-growing-terrorist-insurgency-burkina-faso/|access-date=2019-01-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106010720/https://ctc.usma.edu/ansaroul-islam-growing-terrorist-insurgency-burkina-faso/|archive-date=2019-01-06|url-status=live}}
In Mali, the 134th Escadron de Reconnaissance (Recce Squadron) was trained to operate the Bastion APC by the EUTM Mali.{{cite web|title=Mali: training in the use of the armored vehicle "Bastion"|date=22 February 2016|url=http://en.difesaonline.it/news-forze-armate/missioni/mali-addestramento-allutilizzo-del-veicolo-blindato-bastion|website=difesaonline.it|access-date=5 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106010550/http://en.difesaonline.it/news-forze-armate/missioni/mali-addestramento-allutilizzo-del-veicolo-blindato-bastion|archive-date=6 January 2019|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
= East Africa =
In 2015, the United States Department of Defense bought 62 Bastion APC variants commercialised by Mack Trucks to supply various African forces, some of them, such as Uganda, being involved in AMISOM.
= Arabian Peninsula =
Some of the Saudi Arabian Bastion PATSAS were reportedly used in the intervention in Yemen.{{cite report |title=Ventes d'armes françaises : "indices de présence" au Yémen et nécessaire refonte des mécanismes de contrôle des exportations |author=Fédération Internationale des Ligues des Droits de l’Homme |author-link=International Federation for Human Rights |author2=Observatoire des armements |author-link2=:fr:Observatoire des armements |author3=Ligue des Droits de l’Homme |author3-link=Human Rights League (France) |last4=Sisters Arab for Human Rights |url=https://www.fidh.org/IMG/pdf/fidh_yemen_final_report.pdf |date=April 2018 |page=13 |language=fr |access-date=2019-01-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423145357/https://www.fidh.org/IMG/pdf/fidh_yemen_final_report.pdf |archive-date=2018-04-23 |url-status=live }}
Operators
File:Armenian Bastion APCs in Eagle Partner 2024.2.jpg |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240721120028/https://www.dvidshub.net/video/931059/eagle-partner-24-peacekeeping-operations-training-broll |archive-date=21 July 2024}}]]
File:Mack Bastion APC UPDF.jpg
- {{flag|Armenia}} – 50 Bastion APCs (24 delivered in November 2023 with 26 in production).{{Cite web |title=Projet de loi de finances pour 2024 : Défense : Équipement des forces |url=https://www.senat.fr/rap/a23-130-8/a23-130-83.html#toc25 |access-date=2024-02-14 |website=Sénat |language=fr-FR}}{{cite web |last1=Malyasov |first1=Dylan |title=Armenia receives French armored vehicles instead of Ukraine |url=https://defence-blog.com/armenia-receives-bastion-armored-vehicles-arquus/ |website=defence-blog.com |publisher=Defence Blog |access-date=12 November 2023}}
- {{flag|Burkina Faso}} – 10 Bastions received in 2012. At least 8 Bastion PATSAS and some Bastion APCs in service.{{cite book|title=The Military Balance 2016|date=February 2016|volume=116|isbn=9781857438352|publisher=Routlegde|ref={{harvid|Military Balance 2016}}|author=International Institute for Strategic Studies|author-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies|page=432|chapter-url=https://www.offiziere.ch/wp-content/uploads-001/2016/10/2016-Chapter-Nine-Sub-Saharan-Africa.pdf|chapter=Chapter Nine: Sub-Saharan Africa|journal=The Military Balance|doi=10.1080/04597222.2016.1127636|s2cid=219623172}}{{Dead link|date=July 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} More than 100 in service according to Jane's.
- {{flag|Cameroon}} – 23 Bastion APCs received in 2015–2016, supplied via U.S. DoD. 15 Bastions received in late 2017.
- {{flag|Congo-Brazzaville}} – Two Bastions acquired for the National Police.{{cite book|title=Renault Trucks Defense valued at 772 million of euros?|series=OIDA Strategic Intelligence Case Study #2|language=en|url=https://oidagroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/2017-08-02_OIDASI_CS2-RTD.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015110629/https://oidagroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/2017-08-02_OIDASI_CS2-RTD.pdf|url-status=usurped|archive-date=2019-10-15|pages=9–11}}
- {{flag|Chad}} – 22 Bastion PATSAS received in 2013.
- {{flag|Chile}} – 7 Bastion 4x4 in 2024 for police use (Carabineros de Chile)[https://www.infodefensa.com/texto-diario/mostrar/4743346/carabineros-chile-incorporara-2024-flota-cinco-carros-arquus-bastion-4x4 Artículo en infodefensa.com 2024][https://www.infodefensa.com/texto-diario/mostrar/4844830/carabineros-chile-incorporara-blindados-arquus-bastion-4x4-hunter-tr-12-dron-10-horas-autonomia-vuelo Artículo en infodefensa.com 2024]
- {{flag|Ethiopia}} – 12 Bastion APCs received in 2016, supplied via U.S. DoD.{{cite web |url=http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php |title=Trade Registers |publisher=Armstrade.sipri.org |access-date=5 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414022558/http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php |archive-date=14 April 2010 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}{{cite web|title=United States ordered Acmat Bastion APCs for African partners|url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=41026:united-states-ordered-acmat-bastion-apcs-for-african-partners&catid=50:Land&Itemid=105|date=13 October 2015|website=defenceweb.co.za|access-date=5 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106010725/http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=41026:united-states-ordered-acmat-bastion-apcs-for-african-partners&catid=50:Land&Itemid=105|archive-date=6 January 2019|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} In 2018, an industry source explained to Jane's that none have actually been supplied.
- {{flag|Gabon}} – 5 Bastion APCs.{{sfn|Military Balance 2016|p=446}}
- {{flag|Ivory Coast}} – at least 9 Bastions in 2018.{{cite web|title=Cayman customer identified as Ivory Coast|url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=52711:cayman-customer-identified-as-ivory-coast&catid=50:Land&Itemid=105|website=defenceweb.co.za|date=10 August 2018|access-date=10 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110183527/http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=52711:cayman-customer-identified-as-ivory-coast&catid=50:Land&Itemid=105|archive-date=10 January 2019|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
- {{flag|Kenya}} – 12 Bastion APCs received in 2018, supplied via U.S. DoD.{{cite news|title=Kenya receives Bastion vehicles|first=Erwan |last=de Cherisey|work= Jane's Defence Weekly |url=https://www.janes.com/article/84775/kenya-receives-bastion-vehicles|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122163441/https://www.janes.com/article/84775/kenya-receives-bastion-vehicles|archive-date=22 November 2018|date=22 November 2018}}
- {{flag|Kosovo}} – 3 Bastion APCs have been seen used by Kosovo Police, provided by AM General.{{Cite web|url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_april_2021_global_security_army_industry/kosovo_police_special_forces_receive_arquus_bastion_armored_vehicles.html|title=Kosovo Police Special Forces receive Arquus Bastion armored vehicles | Defense News April 2021 Global Security army industry | Defense Security global news industry army year 2021 | Archive News year|date=23 April 2021 }}
- {{flag|Mali}} – 5 Bastion APCs received in 2016 for the Malian military.
- {{flag|Saudi Arabia}} – 71 Bastion PATSAS received in 2016. Used by Saudi special forces units.{{Cite web|url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/may_2017_global_defense_security_news_industry/french-made_bastion_patsas_special_forces_saudi_arabia_10105171.html|title=French-made Bastion PATSAS Special Forces Saudi Arabia 10105171 | May 2017 Global Defense Security news industry | Defense Security global news industry army 2017 | Archive News year|date=May 2017 }}
- {{flag|Senegal}} – 36 Bastion APCs and 2 PATSAS,{{cite web|title=Rapport annuel sur les exportations et les importations d'armes classiques, conformément à l'article 13(3) du traité sur le commerce des armes: Rapport annuel 2017|url=https://thearmstradetreaty.org/download/97d87fa1-a754-3a8a-89ad-04f8ef4a2ad9|last=République du Sénégal|language=fr|date=23 May 2017|access-date=9 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109205253/https://thearmstradetreaty.org/download/97d87fa1-a754-3a8a-89ad-04f8ef4a2ad9|archive-date=9 January 2019|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} 7 were bought in December 2017 by the Senegalese Gendarmerie for riot control.{{cite web|title=Equipements : La gendarmerie sénégalaise acquiert 13 blindés PVP et neuf Bastion|url=https://www.leral.net/Equipements-La-gendarmerie-senegalaise-acquiert-13-blindes-PVP-et-neuf-Bastion_a216306.html|website=leral.net|date=6 December 2017|language=fr|access-date=9 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109063742/https://www.leral.net/Equipements-La-gendarmerie-senegalaise-acquiert-13-blindes-PVP-et-neuf-Bastion_a216306.html|archive-date=9 January 2019|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} An additional 29 were procured in 2019 for the Army with financial aid from Saudi Arabia.{{cite web |last1=de Cherisey |first1=Erwan |title=Senegal military parade reveals new acquisitions |url=https://www.janes.com/article/87837/senegal-military-parade-reveals-new-acquisitions |website=Jane's 360 |access-date=11 April 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190411123702/https://www.janes.com/article/87837/senegal-military-parade-reveals-new-acquisitions |archive-date=11 April 2019 |location=Paris |date=11 April 2019 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
- {{flag|Somalia}} – 13 Bastion APCs received in 2016, supplied via U.S. DoD. In 2018, an industry source explained to Jane's that none have actually been supplied.
- {{flag|Sweden}} – some Bastion HMs supplied from 2016, used by the Särskilda operationsgruppen.{{cite web|title=Eurosatory: Swedish SF vehicles drive in|url=https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/eurosatory-swedish-sf-vehicles-drive/|work=Shephard Media|date=15 June 2016|first=Andrew|last=White|access-date=7 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107072146/https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/eurosatory-swedish-sf-vehicles-drive/|archive-date=7 January 2019|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} Also used by Swedish police after their Plasan Sandcat vehicles were replaced.
- {{flag|Tanzania}} – several dozens of Bastion APCS leased from the UN for peacekeeping missions.
- {{flag|Togo}} – 30 Bastion PATSAS received in 2014 for the Togolese military.{{sfn|Military Balance 2016|p=474}}
- {{flag|Tunisia}} – 4 Bastion APCs received in 2016, supplied via U.S. DoD.
- {{flag|Uganda}} – 19 Bastion APCs received in 2017, supplied via U.S. DoD. A total of 31 have been reportedly supplied.
= Evaluation only =
- {{flag|France}} – Bastion PATSAS evaluated by the French special forces.{{cite web|title=First order of ACMAT Bastion PATSAS Special Forces protected vehicle for Tchad Presidential Guard|url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/october_2012_new_army_military_defence_industry_uk/first_order_acmat_bastion_patsas_special_forces_protected_vehicle_tchad_presidential_guard_1710125.html|date=17 October 2012|website=armyrecognition.com|access-date=5 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106014030/https://www.armyrecognition.com/october_2012_new_army_military_defence_industry_uk/first_order_acmat_bastion_patsas_special_forces_protected_vehicle_tchad_presidential_guard_1710125.html|archive-date=6 January 2019|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
= Potential user =
- {{Flag|Ukraine}} – 20 ACMAT Bastion were supposed to be donated by France to Ukraine in the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine,{{Cite web |date=2022-10-03 |title=La France va fournir des véhicules blindés Bastion (Arquus) à l'Ukraine |url=https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/la-france-va-fournir-des-vehicules-blindes-bastion-arquus-a-l-ukraine-935022.html |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=La Tribune |language=fr}} but this initiative was abandoned due to the light protection of the vehicles, making them unsuitable for frontline use. The 20 vehicles have since been transferred to Armenia, an export customer.{{Cite web |last=CHAPLEAU |first=Philippe |date=2023-11-13 |title=La France livre des véhicules de transport de troupes Bastion à l'Arménie |url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/europe/armenie/des-vehicules-de-transport-de-troupes-bastion-livres-a-larmenie-8121f358-81f9-11ee-a407-397218b61e71 |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=Ouest-France.fr |language=fr}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.arquus-defense.com/bastion Official Site]
{{commons category}}
{{Modern IFV and APC}}
{{Renault Trucks}}
Category:Wheeled armoured personnel carriers
Category:Armoured personnel carriers of France
Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 2010s
Category:Armoured personnel carriers of the post–Cold War period