According to local
media, the Malian military has acquired a batch of the latest VN2C
mine-resistant armoured vehicle built by China North Industries Group
Corporation, popularly known as Norinco.
The VN2C is the next
version of China's armoured personnel carrier.
The newly deployed
VN2C is outfitted with a one-person turret equipped with a 12.7 mm machine gun
(MG) and a 7.62 mm co-axial MG, each with 500 and 1,000 rounds of ammo.
According to Janes, the VN2C has a GVW of 19 tonnes which is powered by a diesel engine that produces 402 horsepower (300 kW), resulting in a 21.15 Hp / tonne power-to-weight ratio.
The diesel power pack,
which includes the gearbox and cooling system, is placed to the rear of the
driver's and commander's positions in the front of the hull. According to
NORINCO, the power pack may be quickly removed as a whole.
The maximum road speed
is 100 km/h, with an acceleration of 13 seconds from 0 to 32 km/h and an
operational range of up to 800 km.
