View source for Engineering:URO VAMTAC

{{Infobox weapon
| name = URO VAMTAC ST5
| image = VAMTAC ST5 blindado Ejército español.jpg
| image_size = 300
| caption = Spanish Army's URO VAMTAC ST5
| origin = {{wipe|Spain}}
| type = Multi-purpose armored vehicle
<!-- Type selection -->| is_vehicle = yes
<!-- Service history -->| service = 1998–present
| used_by = See operators
| wars = <!-- Production history -->
| designer = UROVESA
| design_date = 
| manufacturer = UROVESA
| unit_cost = 
| production_date = 
| number = at least 4,500 <ref name=EuroSD>[http://www.euro-sd.com/esd/archive/news-detail-view/artikel/modular-high-mobility-vehicle-by-urovesa/ Modular high mobility vehicle by UROVESA – Euro-SD]</ref>
| variants = VAMTAC I3, S3, and ST5
<!-- General specifications -->| spec_label = 
| weight = 
| length = {{convert|4.845|m}} / {{convert|5.55|m}} <ref name=Urovesa/>
| part_length = 
| width = {{convert|2.175|m}}
| height = {{convert|1.9|m}}
| diameter = 
| crew = 1+3
<!-- Vehicle/missile specifications -->| armour = 
| primary_armament = 
| secondary_armament = 
| engine = Steyr turbocharged diesel
| engine_power = {{convert|188|PS}}
| pw_ratio = 
| transmission = 5 speed automatic
| payload_capacity = 1500–2000 kg
| suspension = 4-wheel independent (double wishbones with coil-springs) <ref name=Urovesa/>
| clearance = 
| propellant = 
| fuel_capacity = {{convert|110|L}}
| vehicle_range = >{{convert|600|km}}
| speed = {{convert|135|km/h}}
| guidance = 
| steering = 
| accuracy = 
| launch_platform = 
| transport = 
}}
The '''URO VAMTAC''' ({{lang|es|'''V'''ehículo de '''A'''lta '''M'''ovilidad '''Tác'''tico, "High Mobility Tactical Vehicle"}}) is a Spanish four-wheel drive military vehicle manufactured by UROVESA. Externally it is similar in appearance and design to the [[Engineering:Humvee|Humvee]] of the United States Military due to similar requirements. More than 2,000 of the vehicles have been delivered to the Spanish Armed Forces. Several other countries operate the VAMTAC as well, and it has seen service most recently in Afghanistan and Syria. The vehicle comes in three models, named I3, S3 and ST5, and has several configurations.

==Development==
The URO VAMTAC was developed by the Spanish company URO, Vehiculos Especiales S.A.  so that it would meet the requirements of the Spanish military for a multipurpose, air-portable, high mobility off-road vehicle with good payload capacity.

Just as the HMMWV entered production in 1984 the Spanish army started to think of purchasing their own multirole vehicle that would replace Land Rovers.

VAMTAC concept did not materialize until 1995 when a competition was held for a next-generation tactical vehicle. The American HMMWV was also a natural candidate for several reasons. UROVESA decided to design a vehicle that could exceed the US design.

After the vehicle was tested by the Spanish Ministry of Defence, UROVESA received a five-year contract and the URO VAMTAC was produced from 1998 to 2003. In October 2005, the Ministry of Defence awarded a new five-year contract for the URO VAMTAC after a three-month trial period. This also introduced some changes, and the two models of the vehicle which were named T3 and T5, were re-designated as I3 and S3 respectively. The URO VAMTAC is similar in appearance and design to the U.S. Military's Humvee, because both vehicles were designed to meet similar requirements and specifications.<ref name="janes">{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Military-Vehicles-and-Logistics/URO-VAMTAC-4-x-4-I3-and-S3-high-mobility-tactical-vehicles-Spain.html|title=URO VAMTAC (4 x 4) I3 and S3 high-mobility tactical vehicles (Spain), Light vehicles|publisher=Janes Information Group|access-date=29 March 2010}}</ref>

==Operational history==
[[File:Uro Vamtac in display during 2022 MAF's open day in RMAF Kuantan.jpg|thumb|right|URO VAMTAC of Malaysian Army in digital camouflage]]
Approximately 1,200 units were delivered to the Spanish military under the initial contract from 1998. Roughly 60 percent of these were of the T5 model (later S3), and the rest were T3 (later I3). By late 2009, around 900 more units had been delivered under the second contract, bringing the total procured by Spanish forces to approximately 2,100 vehicles. All the vehicles delivered under the second contract have been of the S3 model. The military has equipped about 25 percent of the vehicles received under the initial contract with ballistic kits, increasing their armour.<ref name="janes" /> URO VAMTACs have been used by the Spanish National Police as well.

In April 2013, the Vamtac was selected as the chosen vehicle for all branches of the Spanish armed forces. This means they will replace HMMWVs used by Spanish Marines. A total of 772 vehicles were to be acquired over a 5-year period.<ref name="miltoday">{{cite web|url=http://www.infodefensa.com/cache_noticias/la-/la-compania-urovesa-se-adjudica-el-acuerdo-marco-de-vehiculos-4x4-de-15-tm-2.html|title=La compañía Urovesa se adjudica el acuerdo marco de vehículos 4×4 de 1,5 Tm|date=17 April 2013|publisher=Infodefensa|access-date=23 April 2013}}</ref>

The Spanish military has used the URO VAMTAC in Afghanistan,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2004/oef.casualties/?iref=mptopics|title=Enduring Freedom Casualties: Afghanistan|work=CNN|access-date=29 March 2010}}</ref> as well in Congo and [[Place:Lebanon|Lebanon]]. Several other countries use this vehicle.<ref name="miltoday 2">{{cite web|url=http://www.military-today.com/trucks/uro_vamtac.htm|title=URO VAMTAC Light Utility Vehicle|publisher=Military Today|access-date=29 March 2010}}</ref>

All in all, according to a 2017 estimate, some 4,500 units are in service in more than 20 countries and so far in 50 different configurations.<ref name=EuroSD/>

==Features and characteristics==
The URO VAMTAC comes with [[Engineering:Four-wheel drive|four-wheel drive]] capability, and is available in three primary configurations&nbsp;– command and control, chassis-cab, and pick-up. The first comes with a four-door cab. The latter two versions are available with three cab types: two-door, four-door, or a four-door version with smaller rear doors and less cab space. Shelter type or cargo bodies such as hardtops can be added to the rear compartment, as well as weapons. It can accommodate a wide range of weapons including machine guns, grenade launchers, anti-tank missiles, 81&nbsp;mm mortars, M40 recoilless rifles and light air defence missiles.<ref name="janes" /><ref name="miltoday" />

The vehicle has a length of {{convert|4.845|m}} width of {{convert|2.175|m}} and a height of {{convert|1.9|m}}. The [[Physics:Curb weight|curb weight]] of the vehicle ranges from {{convert|3000|kg}} to {{convert|3500|kg}}, and has a payload capacity ranging from {{convert|1500|kg}} to {{convert|2000|kg}}. Both these specifications vary depending on the version. The URO VAMTAC has a range of more than {{convert|600|km}}, and can negotiate 70% gradients and 50% side slopes. It is powered by Steyr Motors' M16-"Monoblock" engine (6-cylinder, turbocharged diesel engine, {{convert|135|kW|hp PS|0|abbr=on}})<ref>[http://www.steyr-motors.com/na/automotive/applications-gallery/urovesa-vam-tac-m16-tci-156/ UROVESA VAM TAC M16 TCI]: Steyr-Motors.com</ref> coupled with a five speed automatic transmission.<ref name=Urovesa>{{cite web|url=http://www.urovesa.com/pdf/VAMTAC_S3_sept_2011_ingl%C3%A9s.pdf|title=URO VAMTAC S3|publisher=UROVESA|access-date=29 March 2010}}</ref> The I3 uses a {{convert|166|PS|kW hp|0}} engine, while the S3 is equipped with a {{convert|188|PS|kW hp|0}} one.<ref name="miltoday" /><ref name="rec" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ejercito.mde.es/ingles/armamento/vamtac.html|title=Spanish High Mobility Tactical Vehicle|publisher=Spanish Army|access-date=29 March 2010}}</ref>

==Versions==
[[File:URO VAMTAC ST5 & LTV Starstreak ForceShield System Batalyon Arhanud 13.jpg|thumb|255x255px|A line of Indonesian Army URO VAMTAC ST5 & LTV for Starstreak missile system]]
The URO VAMTAC has been evolved in several versions:
*URO VAMTAC Rebeco (1998-2003)
*URO VAMTAC I3 (initially designed URO VAMTAC T3) (2004-2010)
*URO VAMTAC S3 (initially T5) (2004-2010)
*URO VAMTAC S3 ARMORED (2004-2010)
*URO VAMTAC ST5 (since 2013)
*URO VAMTAC ST5 BN3 (STANAG armor level 3) (since 2015)
*URO VAMTAC SK95 (light artillery tractor on a ST5 chassis) (since 2018)
*URO VAMTAC LTV (Light Tactical Vehicle) (2018)<ref>{{Cite web |title=UROVESA - VAMTAC |url=http://www.urovesa.com/en/vamtac/defence-and-security/LTV |access-date=2022-11-05 |website=www.urovesa.com}}</ref>

==Variants==
VAMTAC is available in many different versions with different body types. Most popular variants are pick-up, command/control and chassis-cab. The chassis-cab variant can mount different types of shelters or cargo compartments.

There are several specialized variants of the URO VAMTAC according to the armament and configuration used. Several support variants have been produced with capabilities for towing, firefighting and resupplying. Notable variants include:<ref name="rec">{{cite web|url=http://www.armyrecognition.com/uro_vamtac_variants_light_wheeled_vehicle_fr/uro_vamtac_light_wheeled_vehicle_jeep_spain_spanish_army_pictures_description_identification_technic.html|title=URO Vamtac Véhicule léger|publisher=Army Recognition|language=fr|access-date=29 March 2010}}</ref>
*Ambulance vehicle with accommodation for two or four stretchers in the rear compartment.
*Anti-tank vehicle equipped with either BGM-71 TOW or MILAN guided missiles. Currently Spain is installing its Spike missiles in these vehicles.
*Anti-aircraft vehicle equipped with [[Engineering:Mistral (missile)|Mistral]] surface-to-air missiles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Land-Based-Air-Defence/Mistral-2-France.html|title=Mistral 2 (France), Man-portable surface-to-air missile systems|publisher=Janes Information Group|access-date=29 March 2010}}</ref> Currently Malaysia have installed Starstreak missiles and 9K38 Igla missiles on their vehicles. Indonesian Army variant are equipped with Starstreak missiles.
*Artillery vehicle equipped with [[Engineering:Type 63 multiple rocket launcher|Type 63 multiple rocket launcher]]s and [[Engineering:M-63 Plamen|M-63 Plamen]]s.
*Command and communications vehicle, with separate compartment in rear section to accommodate communications equipment. This versión has four-doors, cargo space and communication masts fitted on the corners of the shelter.
*PSYOPS vehicle, equipped with loudspeaker arrays.
*Fast Attack vehicle, designed for Special Forces and equipped for long range reconnaissance and infiltration missions.

==Operators==

[[File:VAMTAC operators.png|thumb|400px|Map of VAMTAC operators in blue with former operators in red]]

===Current operators===
*{{DOM}} – 60-80 vehicles <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Military-Vehicles-and-Logistics/INVENTORY-Dominican-Republic.html|title=Inventory (Dominican Republic)|publisher=Janes Information Group|access-date=29 March 2010}}</ref>
*{{GHA}} – <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ordendebatallainternacional.blogspot.com/2012/05/ghana.html#uds-search-results|title = GHANA}}</ref>
*{{INA}} – 40+ vehicles, ST5 (RapidRanger MMS version) & LTV (LML/LML-NG & command version)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kemhan, Mabes TNI AD dan PT Len Industri Lakukan Uji Tembak Rudal Starstreak {{!}} PT Len Industri (Persero) |url=https://www.len.co.id/kemhan-mabes-tni-ad-dan-pt-len-industri-lakukan-uji-tembak-rudal-starstreak/ |access-date=2022-11-05 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |title=BATALYON ARHANUD 13/PBY GELAR TRADISI PENYAMBUTAN SENJATA ALUTSISTA - |url=https://kodam1-bukitbarisan.mil.id/batalyon-arhanud-13-pby-gelar-tradisi-penyambutan-senjata-alutsista/ |access-date=2022-11-05 |language=id}}</ref>
*{{IRQ}} – 255 vehicles
*{{MYS}} – 103 vehicles <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Defence-Industry-2008/Malaysia-awards-Urovesa-for-VAMTAC-high-mobility-tactical-vehicles.html|title=Malaysia awards Urovesa for VAMTAC high-mobility tactical vehicles, CONTRACTS|publisher=Janes Information Group|access-date=29 March 2010}}</ref>
*{{MLI}} - National Gendarmerie (Malian Armed Forces) - 2 vehicles donated by the {{wipe|United States}} in late 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mali |first=U. S. Mission |date=2022-11-30 |title=U.S. Offers Two UROVESA VAMTAC Armored Personnel Carriers to Mali |url=https://ml.usembassy.gov/u-s-offers-two-urovesa-vamtac-armored-personnel-carriers-to-mali/ |access-date=2022-12-02 |website=U.S. Embassy in Mali |language=en-US}}</ref>
*{{MAR}} – 1,200 vehicles <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Military-Vehicles-and-Logistics/INVENTORY-Morocco.html|title=Inventory (Morocco)|publisher=Janes Information Group|access-date=29 March 2010}}</ref>
*{{PRT}} – leased several prior to 2006, after which they were returned to Spain.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deagel.com/Tactical-Vehicles/VAMTAC_a000672001.aspx|title=VAMTAC|publisher=Deagel.com|access-date=29 March 2010}}</ref> Purchased 139 ST5 BN3 variant vehicles in October 2018.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Barreira |first1=Victor |title=Portuguese Army to receive VAMTAC ST5 4×4 vehicles |url=https://www.janes.com/article/83702/portuguese-army-to-receive-vamtac-st5-4-4-vehicles |website=IHS Jane's 360 |access-date=12 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011143938/https://www.janes.com/article/83702/portuguese-army-to-receive-vamtac-st5-4-4-vehicles |archive-date=11 October 2018 |location=Rio de Janeiro |date=10 October 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>
*{{ROU}} – 100 vehicles, S3 and S3-HD variants<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Amphibious-and-Special-Forces/Special-Forces-Land-Romania.html|title=Special Forces (Land) (Romania), Amphibious and special forces|publisher=Janes Information Group|access-date=29 March 2010}}</ref>
*{{KSA}} – 10 vehicles <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defaiya.com/defaiyaonline/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=833%3A30-vamtacs-to-saudi-arabia&catid=47%3Aksa&Itemid=27&lang=en|title=30 VAMTAC's to Saudi Arabia|author=Administrator|date=July 2010|access-date=25 December 2014}}</ref>
*{{SIN}} – <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/article/59900/singapore-quietly-introduces-the-vamtac-st5-high-mobility-tactical-vehicle|title=Singapore quietly introduces the VAMTAC ST5 high mobility tactical vehicle|publisher=Janes Information Group|access-date=29 April 2016}}</ref>
*{{ESP}} – Spanish Armed Forces, National Police, Guardia Civil, Emergency Units – 2,900 vehicles
*{{OMN}} - Royal Army of Oman, Royal Guard of Oman
*{{UKR}} - Armed Forces of Ukraine - 20 vehicles delivered in April 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_may_2022_global_security_army_industry/spain_supplies_ukraine_with_20_uro_vamtac_4x4_light_armored_vehicles.html|title= Spain supplies Ukraine with 20 URO VAMTAC 4x4 light armored vehicles|date=2 May 2022}}</ref>

===Evaluation-only operators===
*{{flaglist|Brazil}} – (on trial, not adopted)
*{{PAR}} – (on trial, not adopted)

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed">
File:Urovesa Vamtac Armored.png|Version equipped with Composhield add-on armor kit, on display at IDEX 2013
File:URO VAMTAC, ST5 BN3, URO Vehículos Especiales S.A. Spain, 2015.jpg|URO VAMTAC ST5 BN3 exhibited at Homsec 2015
File:Herat2 (cropped).jpg|An URO VAMTAC vehicle of the Spanish Army in [[Place:Herat|Herat]], Afghanistan, in 2005
File:TOW E.T..JPG|Armed with BGM-71 TOW launcher
File:URO VAMTAC with Mistral missile.jpg|Armed with [[Engineering:Mistral (missile)|Mistral]] launcher
File:URO VAMTAC TNI-AD, Koarmada II, 2018.jpg|Armed with Starstreak MMS launcher
File:Uro vamtac - porta shelter.jpg|Communications vehicle
File:EstacionMeridaB.jpg|Fully integrated van-body
File:Paris Air Show 2019 - Le Bourget (48113964001).jpg|URO VAMTAC at Paris Air Show 2019
File:VAMTAC Cardom Ejército español.jpg|Spanish LWB version with armored crew-cab and weapon-system on open rear bed
File:VAMTAC ambulancia.JPG|Ambulance
File:Tunku Sabah Cenderawasih-03.jpg|Malaysian Army URO VAMTAC in old Harimau Belang camouflage
File:GEO in assault demonstration 3.jpg|URO VAMTAC with assault equipment
File:VAMTAC UIP.JPG|URO VAMTAC of the National Police Corps (Spain)
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Engineering:Humvee|Humvee]], which has a similar chassis and frame
* [[Engineering:Hawkei|Hawkei]] – an Australian four-wheel drive military vehicle
* [[Engineering:Iveco LMV|Iveco LMV]] – an Italian four-wheel drive military vehicle.
* [[Engineering:Toyota Mega Cruiser|Toyota Mega Cruiser]] – a Japanese four-wheel drive military vehicle, also similar in appearance and design to the US Humvee.
* List of armoured fighting vehicles by country

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://urovesa.com/ UROVESA home page]


[[Category:Off-road vehicles]]
[[Category:Military light utility vehicles]]
[[Category:Military trucks]]
[[Category:All-wheel-drive vehicles]]

{{Sourceattribution|URO VAMTAC}}