Saxon British 4x4 Armored Personnel Carrier (APC)

The Saxon wheeled APC was developed by GNK Defence to provide a relatively low-cost armored personnel carrier for the British Army. It was an economical supplement to the much more sophisticated and expensive Warrior tracked infantry fighting vehicle. The Saxon is a very basic infantry carrier. It is based on a revised Bedford M series 4x4 truck chassis and other commercially available components such as the engine and transmission. The Saxon was intended to act as a cheap but efficient "battle-taxi" for units that would have to make long journeys from the UK to reinforce the British Army of the Rhine. It was made as a relatively low-cost armored personnel carrier based on a revised Bedford M series 4x4 truck chassis and other commercially available components. As a lightly armored wheeled vehicle, it is much faster - especially on roads - and easier to maintain than a tracked vehicle. Indeed, it shares many parts with commercial trucks, reducing the operating cost. It is armored against small-arms fire and shell splinters but is not intended to stand up to any anti-vehicle weaponry. The vehicle has a single machine gun for local air defense. The Saxon's hull is welded steel with a V-shaped under-chassis plate to deflect mine detonations. Seating is provided in the rear for up to ten troops, although eight is a more comfortable load if all their equipment is included. There is an equipment storage area on the hull roof. Some Saxon IS, or Saxon Patrol, vehicles were acquired for service in Northern Ireland, serving as ambulances or troop carriers, which had extendible wings that could be used as protective shields during a riot. Compared to the standard model, these have various minor modifications intended for internal security operations, such as searchlights and wire cutters.