The FV107 Scimitar is an armoured tracked military reconnaissance vehicle (sometimes known as a light tank) that was previously employed by the British Army before being removed from active duty in April 2023.

Alvis manufactured it in Coventry. It is extremely similar to the FV101 Scorpion, although it is equipped with a high-velocity 30 mm L21 RARDEN cannon rather than a 76-mm gun. It was assigned to Royal Armoured Corps armoured regiments for reconnaissance.. Each Main Battle Tank Regiment also used eight Scimitars for close reconnaissance.

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Development

The FV107 Scimitar is part of the CVR(T) series of vehicles. The first prototype was constructed in 1971.After being accepted for service in 1973, supplies to Belgium and the United Kingdom began in 1974.[3]

Initially, the engine was the Jaguar J60 4.2-litre 6-cylinder petrol engine, which was utilized in various Jaguar models. This was replaced by a Cummins BTA 5.9 diesel engine in British Army Scimitars as part of the CVR(T) Life Extension Program.

The UK launched the Tactical Reconnaissance Armoured Combat Equipment Requirement (TRACER) to replace the Sabre and Scimitar. In 1996, the United States joined the initiative. In 2001, both the United Kingdom and the United States exited the joint programme.

As of 2023, the Scimitar’s anticipated replacement in British service is an Ajax derivative equipped with a CT40 gun.The Scimitar was officially decommissioned from British service in 2023. The Warrior is being deployed as a temporary stopgap until Ajax achieves initial operational capability.

FV107 Scimitar – Photos & Videos

Scimitar Mk II

Following a risk-reduction program, a contract was granted in December 2010 for the development, testing, and management of an updated Scimitar. The Vehicles Military & Technical Services team of BAE Systems Telford oversaw the construction of 50 vehicles at the nearby DSG (Defence Support Group) in Donnington, which is scheduled to be finished in early 2012. The Scimitar Mark 2 combat vehicle is one of five upgraded CVR(T) variants. It was founded in early 2010 and is still operational today.

The Scimitar Model II was

• Rehulled to provide better mine-blast protection to personnel.
• Improved armor installed to increase resistance to blasts and ballistic threats.
• Provide mine-protected (suspended and piston-mounted) chairs in all crew positions.
• Improve available space and crew conditions.

Reduce repairs while lowering maintenance and life-cycle costs, and increase in-service life.

The resulting vehicles have since been re-engineered using a Cummins BTA 5.9-liter diesel engine and a David Brown TN15E+ automatic transmission.[12] In addition to powering an air conditioning system, the new more fuel-efficient engine increases the vehicle’s operational range, while the redesigned interior architecture allows better-protected fuel tanks to be moved, reducing exposure to explosion and missile threats.

The new engine and transmission package promised simple servicing and support for the Mk II during its in-service life, while refurbished dampers improved crew comfort – and thus reduced fatigue – while extending the life of vehicle components and maintaining tactical mobility of the original vehicle despite an increase in operation weight to approximately 12,000 kg.

BAE Systems proposes enhanced road wheels, new conventional metal tracks with guaranteed mileage, and continuous ‘rubber’ band tracks.

can considerably reduce vibration and noise, allowing personnel to function more effectively and for longer, even in the roughest settings, while lowering the vehicle’s acoustic profile.

Combat use

The Falklands War saw the participation of two troops from B Squadron, the Blues and Royals. One troop was equipped with four Scorpions, while the other had four Scimitars. The British Army deployed these CVR(T)s as its only armoured vehicles during the fight.

At least one Scimitar was severely destroyed by an Argentinian landmine, but the crew survived, and the vehicle was rescued by a Chinook HC.1 chopper and quickly returned to duty by the attached REME section. Scorpions and Scimitars also provided air defense assistance with machine guns and 30 mm weapons; on May 23, 1982, a Scimitar claimed a 30 mm hit on a Skyhawk at 1,000 meters.

First Gulf War, 1st During this battle, the Queen’s Dragoon Guards fought as a regiment with attached reinforcements, armed with Scimitar. A group of Scimitars assaulted and destroyed Iraqi T-62s, piercing their frontal armor with sabot rounds. One Scimitar was engaged and hit by an Iraqi T-55, with the penetrating round passing through the thin aluminum armor without hurting the crew.

Scimitars from C Squadron were employed at the Battle of Al Faw during the first days of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Scimitars’ plans for an amphibious landing were abandoned due to severe beach mining; instead, they proceeded into Iraq on land.

During Operation Herrick in Afghanistan, Scimitars were used either in normal unit formations or as part of Jackal composite soldiers, where they supplied additional firepower to supplement the Jackal’s superior mobility by piercing their frontal armour with sabot rounds. One Scimitar was engaged and hit by an Iraqi T-55, with the penetrating round passing through the thin aluminum armor without hurting the crew.