Non-military armored vehicle

Non-military armored vehicles are armored vehicles used outside of professional armed forces. While primarily invented and used for defense from an equally well armed organized force, armor technology has found a number of other uses outside of this military context.

Internal security forces

See also: Armored car (military)

Several sovereign states employ a standing internal security force, akin to a military force, but separate from the official army. As such, these official forces are often equipped with the same armored cars, although often fitted with less lethal armaments, such as water cannon.

In countries that employ a territorial reserve force, only mobilized in times of war for civil defense, these forces may also be equipped with armored cars. As the main heavy armaments may be out of the country or with the main army, the civil defense force may only have these military specification armored cars as their best defense.

In North America, the Armoured Rescue Vehicle is the term for non-military armoured vehicles used by SWAT teams. They offer some ballistic protection, but without high powered armaments.

South African defence company Paramount Group manufactures the Maverick internal security vehicle, which is designed specifically to assist the delivery and operation of effective internal security forces in hostile environments around the world.^[1] The Maverick’s large size provides space for a crew, kit and various types of military equipment including anti riot gear, surveillance equipment, water cannons, ramps for SWAT Teams, and [[bomb disposal|bomb disposal robots.^[2] The vehicle can also be fitted with an external fire extinguishing system and small and medium calibre turrets can be mounted on its roof.^[3]

Rebel forces

See also: Technical (fighting vehicle)

In times of civil war or rebellion, factions or opposition groups without sufficient access to military armor, may convert civilian vehicles into fighting vehicles, adding improvised vehicle armor.

Emergency services

See also: Police vehicle

Several domestic police forces possess armored vehicles. These may exist as part of specific response units, such as SWAT. Other forces in specific trouble spots, such as apartheid South Africa, or Northern Ireland at the height of The Troubles, may routinely patrol in armored vehicles.

In Israel, the Emergency medical services also have armored ambulances for the protection of patients and crew.

Prisoner transport

Main article: Prisoner transport vehicle

Lightly armored vans and buses may also be used as Prisoner transport vehicles, as protection against attempts to break the prisoners out of custody.

Buses

Main article: Armoured bus

In some cases, buses may also be fitted with armor. These can also be used by the regular military, but are still serving their main purpose of transporting people.

Valuables

Main article: Armored car (valuables)

Armored cars often find use in transporting valuable commodities, usually currency, in order to provide a defence against robbery.

VIP transport

Main article: Armored car (VIP)

Several VIPs such as businessmen, politicians and diplomats may choose to be transported, or provided with an armored passenger car, as a protection against kidnap or assassination.

Tornado chasing

Main article: Tornado Intercept Vehicle

In the field of tornado study, a vehicle has been specially modified to be able to drive into the heart of tornados to take measurements while protecting the occupants from debris.

Gallery

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  Lenco BearCat Armored Rescue Vehicle Metropolitan Nashville Police SWAT

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  Armored van in Manila

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  Armored truck in Barcelona

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  Polish Dzik-2 in the colors of the Polish Military Police.

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  Polish Police in Warsaw - BTR-60PB

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  Israeli EMS armored MICU ambulance for when EMS crews may be shot at.

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  An armored Ford F-450 called a TIV that is used to intercept tornadoes.

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  Mercedes-Benz Vario

References

1. ^ Army Technology
2. ^ AAD Expo
3. ^ Scribd