These dune buggies are Argentina’s answer to a unique problem. The bulk of Argentina’s chopper airlift capacity comes from a fleet of aging UH-1 helicopters, which simply don’t have the power to lift most modern "light" military vehicles. With a maximum cargo weight of 1,300kg, Argentina’s military issued a requirement for a well armed light reconnaissance vehicle weighing less than 1000kg.
The VELA was the answer provided by two civilian mechanics, producing a miniscule little vehicle (compared to US military buggies at least) armed to the gills and carrying a crew of three. The prototype, now an active duty vehicle, has been well accepted by Argentina’s Air Assault Brigade 601. |