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Testing new vehicles in cold climate
PORSANGMOEN: The German Bundeswehr is this winter testing new vehicles under arctic conditions. The testing takes place in Porsanger in the period of 22. January – 9. February. A total of 7 different vehicles are tested.
By Svein Inge Rødland, Centre of Excellence - Cold Weather Operations, and Kjetil Hanssen (photo), Porsangmoen Garrison
| | TESTED BV: The Swedish BV 206 S - Viking |
The Bundeswehr requested the COE-CWO for a place where they could find temperatures down to 45 degrees below zero. The recommended place was Porsanger in the Northern part of Norway. Bundeswehr flew in 40 personnel and several different vehicles to Lakselv. The Germans have stayed at the Porsangmoen Garrison, and the testing has been done in the surrounding areas.
Vehicles for use in Afghanistan
The vehicles that have been tested are light armoured vehicles with wheels. In addition has the Swedish tracked BV, Viking, also been tested. The Bundeswehr is going to buy new vehicles which will be used in Afghanistan.
- Conditions perfect for testing
The vehicles are going through a lot of testing, such as climatic testing. And one of the few places in Europe that can provide the necessary low temperatures is the Northern part of Norway. Another advantage with the Porsanger area is that the distance from the coastline to the in-land is short. The coastline provides higher temperatures but with moist air, and the in-land provides low temperatures with dry air. According to the Germans the conditions they have found in Porsanger is perfect for their testing.
| | TESTED VEHICLE: The German Mowag |
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