The Belgian BDX 4×4 Wheeled APC

About The Belgian BDX 4×4 Wheeled APC

Timoney Technology Limited of Ireland, is a well respected designers, developers and manufactures of Armoured Fighting Vehicles. During the 1970’s they had developed for the Irish Army a series of 4×4 wheeled APC’s.

The Engineering Division of Beherman Demoen obtained a licence to manufacturer the vehicle with improvements to meet the needs of the Rijkswacht/Gendarmerie (who were the former paramilitary police force of Belgium) in 1976, under the designation ‘BDX’.

Layout

 

The Driver sits up front in the middle, the engine behind (the original Chrysler can be replaced with a more efficient Detroit Diesel) him, troop section in the rear which provides access to the small roof turret. Troops exit/enter the vehicle via doors in the side and rear.

Firepower

The roof turret can carry either a pair of 7.62mm Machine Guns or a pair of MILAN wire Guided Anti-Tank Missiles in the ready to fire position.

Optional Equipment

Smoke grenade launchers to lay down a smoke screen, NBC protection equipment for the crew and embarked troops, dozer blade, water jets air conditioning.

 

Spec’s

Crew: 2 (+ 10 troops)
Configuration: 4×4
Armaments: See Firepower
Length: 5.05m
Width: 2.5m
Height: 2.06m
Ground Clearance: 0.4m
Combat Weight: 10.7 tonne
Power To Weight Ratio: 16.82hp/tonne
Engine: 180bhp Chrysler V8 water-cooled petrol
Top Road Speed: 100km/h
Operational Range: 500+ km
Fuel Capacity: 248 litres
Fording: Amphibious
Vertical Obstacle: 0.4m
Trench Crossing: Unknown
Gradient: 60%
Side Slope: 40%
Armour Type: Steel construction, 12.7mm over frontal arc

Operators

Belgium – 123 ordered in 1977. 43 went to The Air Force for base security and the rest to the Gendarmerie. Vehicles were delivered from 1978 to 1981. Vehicle is no longer in service.

Argentina – Took delivery of 5 vehicles. Still believed to be in service.

Mexico – All functional former service Belgium vehicles have been passed on to Mexico who still operate the vehicle.