Nexter Aravis

The Aravis' chassis is based on the Unimog U5000 chassis. The total internal volume for the vehicle is 9.5m3 with 8m3 of that under full armoured protection. The Aravis can be equipped for a variety of roles, including patrol vehicle, ambulance, and command and control vehicle. Armament The Aravis' primary armament is housed in a remote weapon station. Armament can vary based on the customer's specifications, but the vehicle has been displayed with a Selex 12.7mm machine gun mount, and Nexter has developed the ARX 20 remote weapon station, which features a 20mm M621 cannon, for use with the Aravis. The ARX 20 can also be fitted with the Pilar anti-sniper system. Mobility The Aravis is capable of speeds of up to 100 km/h on roads, and is said to have a "high standard of cross-country and urban maneoeuvring capability". Without preparation, the vehicle can ford up 1m of water. The Aravis uses are Michelin 365/80R 20 152 K with run-flat and central tire inflation systems. In terms of strategic and operational mobility, the vehicle is transportable by aircraft equivalent to the C-130 Hercules or larger. ==Operational history==

The French Army deployed 11 Aravis in Afghanistan (from 2010 to the French departure) and, from 2016, 6 of them in Mali, as part of the Operation Barkhane. In both cases they were used by (Military engineering) units for route clearance. An Aravis of the French Army was also spotted in Syria during the Deir ez-Zor campaign. The Nexter Aravis is known to be used in the 2019 Gabonese coup d'état attempt by Gabonese Republican Guard forces to take on rogue Gabonese soldiers. ==Operators==

• Albanian Land Force - soldiers of various units tested the Aravis in 2012 but an unknown amount was bought. • French Army – 15, known as , highly protected armored vehicle. • Saudi Arabian Army – 73 with 20mm canons were ordered in 2011 and 191 more in 2012. but all of them were delivered between 2013 and 2016. ==References==