According to leaked images on social networks, Canada’s Super Bison armored personnel carriers are present in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, ready for military operations.
At the end of June 2022, the Canadian government announced a military aid package including 39 modern Super Bison armored personnel carriers for the Ukrainian armed forces. At the end of October, the first Canadian LAV ACSV Super Bison armored vehicles for Ukraine began arriving in Europe. And now, according to leaked images on social networks, Canada’s Super Bison armored personnel carriers are present in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, ready for military operations.
New armoured combat support vehicles (ACSV), constructed by General Dynamics Land Systems – Canada. The ACSV variant is dedicated to transporting troops. According to the announcement, to compensate for the vehicles that have been delivered to Ukraine, the Canadian government has ordered an additional 39 ACSV vehicles. In total, the Canadian Army ordered 360 Super Bison armored vehicles in eight variants: armored personnel carriers, sanitary vehicles, command and control vehicles, electronic warfare vehicles, engineering vehicles, commercial vehicles, evacuation and technical rescue vehicles, and mobile workshop vehicles.
The Bison APC is a variant of the MOWAG Piranha family, manufactured in Canada as the Light Armored Vehicle (LAV). Based on the main chassis, many configurations have been developed to suit various roles. The first Bison appeared in 1988 with production commencing the following year and first operational vehicles entering service in 1990. It replaced the Grizzly armored personnel carrier.
The Super Bison is the latest upgrade to the family, with enhanced protection thanks to the dual V-shaped hull bottom and special seat mounts, together increasing resistance to detonation by mines and improvised explosive devices by absorbing the energy of the explosion. The driver is seated at the front of the vehicle on the left, with the commander behind him.
Armament on most Bisons is limited to a 7.62 mm machine gun over the commander’s hatch. All APCs are completed with smoke grenade dischargers. Additional equipment also includes NBC protection system. The vehicle is capable of moving at a speed of more than 100 km/h, and a range of 600 km.
The 39 Super Bisons will be a significant addition to Ukraine’s ground forces. In addition to armored personnel carriers, Canada will send spare parts for them and six high-resolution cameras that can be used with Bayraktar TB2 drones.
