It looks like Ukraine thinks the Saxon is good and withe the British are scouring the world for more. This is so amazing that I have attached the full text translation. For Mayor Campbell read Major (this is Yandex)
Ukraine buys more armored Saxon
April 1st, 0:09
The fourth issue for the year 2016, the British military magazine "The Royal Armoured Corps Journal" (publication of the Royal armoured corps - Royal Armoured Corps - the Royal army) published an article by Joan P. Holloway "Saxon APCs Rehabilitated Himself in Ukraine After 30 years of Underestimation in the British Army", contains some interesting information about Ukraine acquired the famous old British wheeled armoured vehicles Saxon AT-105.
http://bmpd.livejournal.com/1823472.html
When desperately in need of weapons for self-defense of the Ukrainian democratic government, the victim of a brutal hybrid of war by the aggressive resurgent Russia of Vladimir Putin, in 2014 for funny money bought through private British mediation 75 decommissioned from the British army wheeled armoured personnel carriers Saxon release of the 1980-ies, it has caused many crooked smile as in the UK, and Ukraine. "Old ugly pumpkin" - those memories left a Saxon many British military personnel have evaluated them during his service with the newest of the Warrior IFV and Challenger tanks. The Ukrainians considered this purchase as obviously a temporary solution until more modern machinery from the West.
The year after the Saxon arrival to Ukraine of assessment has changed dramatically. The representative of the British Advisory military mission in Ukraine major Peter Campbell (Peter Campbell), who is responsible for assisting in the development of the Western Ukrainians of automotive and armored vehicles, said that his wards Ukrainian delighted with Saxon.
"I, too, was initially surprised by the purchase of Saxon, and thought, Hey, what kind of scrap they brought," said mayor Campbell, "But now I see how many in Britain were wrong about Saxon".
C the summer of 2015, the Saxon armored personnel carrier was extensively used by Ukrainian forces in many local clashes with Pro-Russian separatists and Putin's "proxy armies", showing excellent fighting qualities - primarily, a high level of protection.
Ukrainian soldier Taras "Sparrow" from the 95th infantry [apparently, airmobile - bmpd] brigade, fought in one of Saxon, says: "near Marinovka (Ukrainian village retaken from the separatists in June last year) two separa jumped in front of us and doused my car with machine guns Kalashnikov from some ten yards to the fence. It was like hail on a tin roof, but no bullet struck the armor".
"Yes, now everyone can see what a real Sheffield steel" - smiling, said mayor Campbell. - "The experience of combat here, half inch Saxon armor equal to the armor inch for Russians".
One Saxon was surrounded by Russian Cossacks, who were unable to him to do anything. "We happened to them all in the "Russian salad" - boasts another Ukrainian soldier Ivanko "Nabucco" [so in the text. - bmpd]. The Ukrainians built the Saxon part of an impressive armament mounted on top of two or three 7.62 mm and one 12.7-mm machine guns, turning this car into a "fire hedgehog".
At least two Saxon survived a hit from an RPG-7. Ukrainians in the British manner equipped with some armoured personnel carriers improvised grilles, screens employees against RPG-7, further increasing their protection. "They're good students," says Campbell.
Mine Saxon resistance was also struck by the Ukrainians and the British. Several cars were blown up by mines and IED, but the damage and human losses were less than those used by the Ukrainian army allegedly MRAP cars of Ukrainian production or bought in the UAE. "They take the old truck, hanging on his armor, and say that this MRAP. Yet they buy the same, only colored well, for some mad money in the Emirates. It's sad," says Campbell, who have experience fighting in MRAP vehicles in Afghanistan. - "Our ancient Saxon vpechatlaet here."
In spite of 30 years of age, motors, transmission and suspension of the old Saxon work in the Ukraine very well. "Many have asked me: [motors] Bedford, what brand? Where to get spare parts for them? After a year of military work are already there - everyone can see that Bedford spare parts practically unnecessary, everything is as new." - says major Campbell, - "I always say that it's on the level as a Rolls-Royce Phantom 50-year, or maybe 80 years ago. Now this will not do, it's what were famous for Britain".
Bedford motors is quite withstand field operation, easy shifting, for example, underfilling of oil and other liquids (often guilty than Ukrainians).
"The Americans gave the Ukrainians a whole pile of my old Humvee, which can't drive because they all have scattered tires on wheels. And heard-do you know anything about any problems with the tires at the Ukrainian Saxon?" - pleased to asked Campbell.
As a result, Saxon is now considered one of the most valuable armored vehicles of the Ukrainian army. Inspired by the experience of their use, the Ministry of defense of Ukraine in contact with British colleagues initiated a program of purchasing additional Saxon.
This is a non-trivial task, given the fact that in the British army Saxon APCS were shortsighted permanently taken out of service in 2008 - against the backdrop of the soothing speeches of politicians about the advent of peace in Europe. Now more than 600 British cars Saxon in storage at the British Ministry of defence remain very few. The rest went to the hands of various private intermediaries in the United Kingdom and even the United States, and up to 100 machines have been donated to African Somalia and Mozambique.
Major Campbell, who heads the British side project procurement for Ukraine BTR Saxon, says that his staff is looking at virtually all of the Parking areas, which now espouses a decommissioned machine. "Of course, not all is already good, but we found up to 160 standard cars in Britain and up to 50 in the States, and now contracts for their purchase," says the major, 'I Hope that in 2016 they will start to arrive to Ukraine".
Found in different places of the machine should be thoroughly inspected, tested, painted and retrofitted. According to the Ukrainian source, the Ukrainian government has earmarked "tens of millions of dollars" for this program. Britain also provides some assistance, although not financial.
Another source of the Saxon armored personnel carriers for Ukraine became Africa. If Somali, and put back in the 1980-ies of Nigerian, can be considered "non-refundable" of those mired in civil wars the countries, 25 Saxon, donated by the British government in 2013, Mozambique, proved to be a valuable trophy for major Campbell. With the participation of the Ukrainian Embassy in Mozambique, major Campbell was able to arrange the ransom 19 still remaining in a more or less decent form Saxon in the Mozambican army. In February 2016, these 19 cars at night were secretly loaded onto the ship that came to Ukraine.
The Russians, with a strong presence in Mozambique dates back to Communist times, tried to prevent this deal. "I know that they gave someone money there. But, as I understand it, the Ukrainians have given more. So there's the business," laughs Campbell.
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