EUNAVFOR MED operation Irini seizes cargo ship loaded with TAG BATT-UMG armored vehicles for Libya.

On 11 October, Operation EUNAVFOR Med Irini conducted an inspection of the merchant vessel MV Meerdijk off the coast of Libya. The ship was found to be transporting armored vehicles for military use in Libya suspected to be in breach of the UN arms embargo. Army Recognition formally identifies these armored vehicles as BATT-UMG manufactured by TAG.
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On 11 October, Operation EUNAVFOR Med Irini conducted an inspection of the Dutch merchant vessel MV Meerdijk off the coast of Libya. The ship was found to be transporting TAG BATT-UMG armored vehicles for military use in Libya (Picture source: EUNAVFOR Med)

This is the second time Med Irini seized a cargo ship in the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2292 (2016) in less than three months. One of the European military vessels operating in the Central Mediterranean Sea for Operation Irini detected the ship on its way to Libya. Upon Operation Irini’s request, in accordance with UNSCR 2292, the Netherlands, as the ship’s flag state, gave its consent without delay for the inspection and, on 11 October, a boarding team was sent on board to verify the nature of those vehicles.

The boarding team discovered dozens of military vehicles shipped in possible violation of the UN arms embargo on Libya. In line with the Operation’s mandate, the vehicles were seized and the ship was diverted to a European port for further inspection. Following the inspection by the UN Panel of Experts, the vehicles were disembarked and stored ashore.

Since March 2020, Operation Irini has carried out 25 inspections at sea in accordance with all relevant UN Security Council Resolutions authorizing the inspection, the diversion and the seizure of the cargo of arms and related material when found on board of merchant vessel heading for Libya.

All UN members are called to cooperate with such inspections. Since the beginning of the Operation, only one nation has denied on nine occasions its consent. Operation Irini continues to support, effectively and impartially, the implementation of the UN arms embargo on Libya.

On 11 October, Operation EUNAVFOR Med Irini conducted an inspection of the Dutch merchant vessel MV Meerdijk off the coast of Libya. The ship was found to be transporting TAG BATT-UMG armored vehicles for military use in Libya (Picture source: EUNAVFOR Med)

On 11 October, Operation EUNAVFOR Med Irini conducted an inspection of the Dutch merchant vessel MV Meerdijk off the coast of Libya. The ship was found to be transporting TAG BATT-UMG armored vehicles for military use in Libya (Picture source: EUNAVFOR Med)

TAG BATT UMG armored vehicles seized on the Dutch ship MV Meerdijk sailing toward Libya

With blast protection of up to STANAG 4569 Level II a and b, the BATT UMG incorporates high blast protection in the small APC-sized class. A custom in-house axle design allows for an extra 6,000 lbs of payload capacity which means the BATT can handle the weight of the added armoring requirement.

The BATT UMG is mission ready and is regularly equipped with military-grade surveillance and communications systems. Supporting a wide array of mission types, the BATT UMG is commonly found supporting various units: special forces, law enforcement, homeland security, border patrol, and other armed units. The BATT UMG can also be equipped to fulfill the following roles: troop transport, command and control center, VIP transport, and an armored MEDEVAC.

The BATT UMG is built on a commercially available civilian platform which is then militarized to TAG’s highest standards for survivability in conflict zones. Based on a Ford F550, the vehicle is motorized with a V8 diesel turbocharged engine, coupled to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The Ford-based chassis gives the BATT UMG access to one of the largest OEM international parts distribution networks in the world, making the BATT repairable in the most remote regions of the planet.

The BATT UMG shares the same benefits as the BATT-X APC with its completely accessible engine bay and power pack which can be completely removed and replaced within 10 hours. TAG utilizes its 140,000 sq.ft technology center conveniently located in Detroit Motor City to liaise with major OEM automotive manufacturers to ensure all modifications and upfits adhere to their strict guidelines set forth in their own manufacturing processes. This has allowed TAG the opportunity to work directly with Ford to complete a full RHD steering conversion utilizing Ford OEM parts for the 75 countries that need it.

BATT-UMG (Picture source: Screenshot of TAG website)

BATT-UMG (Picture source: TAG)

TAG BATT UMG displayed at DSA 2022 (Picture source: Army Recognition)