France shows interest in purchasing British Terrier engineer vehicle


The BAE Systems F-CEV Terrier tracked combat engineer vehicle entered serial production in late 2012. BAE Systems delivered the first Terrier vehicle to the British Army in June 2013. The British Army reportedly accepted the final F-CEV Terrier in August 2014.


BAE Systems F CEV Terrier tracked combat engineer vehicle too expensive
BAE Systems F-CEV Terrier tracked combat engineer vehicle of the British army (Picture source: Army Recognition)


France has expressed interest in evaluating the F-CEV Terrier for potential procurement. The potential for French acquisition of the Terrier system, is in part predicated on the corresponding purchase of French defense products by the U.K., most notably the Nexter VBCI armored personnel carrier or CAESAR self-propelled artillery system.

The Terrier vehicle is an air-transportable armoured combat engineer vehicle designed for the Royal Engineers. It was developed as a replacement vehicle for the FV180 Combat Engineer Tractor used by the British Army.  The vehicle will weigh about 30 tonnes, light enough to be air transportable by C-17 Globemaster III or Airbus A400M. A clam shell front bucket and side mounted excavator arm will allow the vehicle to perform earth moving and obstacle removing tasks. It will have mine protection and can be operated by remote control from up to 1,000 m (3,300 ft) in dangerous environments such as mine clearance. In normal operations it will have a crew of two. It will have enhanced modular armour and will be faster at up to 70 km per hour and more mobile than the FV180 Combat Engineer Tractor, and will have 360 degree day and night vision systems.