SBA | Receipt of 6 armored BMWs for policing needs – VIDEO & Photos

Defence Redefined

13/05/2021

The Sovereign Base Area Police (SBA) confirmed the receipt of six new armored BMW SUV 4X4 vehicles, with a further one set to arrive before the end of May.

According to a Cyprus Mail report, the new vehicles can be used by fully-trained armed police officers during regular patrols and “high-risk” incidents.

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Trained officers have been able to carry firearms since 2006 and the delivery of the armoured vehicles has ensured both training and equipment are now fully aligned in the force.

Speaking shortly after taking delivery of the vehicles this week, Superintendent Mustafa Kemal, who is based at the SBA Police Headquarters in Episkopi, explained why this latest upgrade is so important to the police capability.

Among other things, the inspector stated that “The purchase of the armed response vehicles is a hugely significant step forward for the SBA Police because not only does it offer more support and protection to the communities that we serve, but it, of course, also offers all of those things to our officers too.”

Even though there are no more details about the technical specs of the vehicles, the picture published by Cyprus Mail depicts a BMW X5 model. 

In the BMW website it is indicatively stated that the BMW X5 Protection VR6 (2019 model) takes passenger safety to a whole new level. 

The armouring of the passenger compartment consists of high-strength moulded steel parts and, together with the armoured luggage-compartment partition fitted as standard, protects against attacks with short-range and long-range weapons up to 7.62 x 39 mm FeC (Soft steel core) calibre. 

The joint area also protects against the 7.62 x 39 mm SC (Steel Core) calibre. Both calibres can be fired with the Kalashnikov AK-47.

BMW also states that the armored passenger compartment can also withstand lateral blasting with 15 kg TNT from a distance of four metres. In addition, a reinforced roof offers protection against explosive charges such as the DTG5.

An external aluminium underbody armouring provides comprehensive protection

against shock wave loads and splintering when attacked by Diehl’s DM51 hand grenades (used by the German Army). 

This underbody armouring can be reinforced with fibre composites to additionally

withstand an attack with the Swiss RUAG HG85 hand grenade, bearing more grams of explosive (TNT).

The vehicle in question also has runflat tires with reinforced sidewalls which allow the driver to continue the journey even after a complete loss of tire pressure. 

Vehicles of a similar nature are used by the Presidential Guard in Cyprus to accompany the President of the Republic and other VIP personalities.

Cover photo: © Cyprus Mail

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