The
Snatch Land Rover is a protected patrol vehicle, based around the
Land Rover Defender 110 chassis, intended for general patrolling in low-threat areas and is the successor to the Truck Utility Medium (TUM) with Vehicle Protection Kit (VPK). The vehicle was developed for use in the Northern Ireland area of operations in 1992, for use in rural patrolling and providing some degree of small arms protection for occupants and a limited level of protection from Improvised Explosive Devices and off-route mines.
The
Snatch is one of a range of vehicles which remains in use in Northern Ireland as well as the Iraq and Afghanistan operational areas.
Use of the vehicle has been the subject of criticism as a consequence of a number of kinetic attacks which have exceeded the level of protection available, leading to occupant deaths.
Overview
The
Snatch is based on the
Land Rover Heavy Duty Chassis, a militarised version of the
Defender 110 (similar to the
Land Rover Wolf). It was originally procured for use in
Northern Ireland by the
British Army.
Officially designated, Truck Utility Medium (TUM) with Vehicle Protection Kit (VPK), the vehicle is more widely known by its informal title, the "Snatch", even in official documentation. It is believed to have acquired the name from its use in
the Troubles, when it was the preferred vehicle for "snatch squads"...
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