- Yes
- No
- (independent) BeNeLux tree
- France: BeNeLux subtree
- Dutch (sub) tree
- other
- no/negative
TL;DR: The YPR 765 A1 PRI, a Dutch 25mm-armed IFV. (2000s modernisation)
History
History
At the time of its introduction, the Dutch Army (KL) had twelve different versions of the YPR. However, a 2006 report from the Directorate of Equipment lists 18 different types of YPR. Over the years, many modifications have been made to the YPR, including both universal changes to the entire series as well as type-specific modifications. Starting in 2000, a major modification project called YPR-2000 was initiated. This project only involved the vehicles used by the active and training units, while the mobilizable stock was phased out. After this project, the type designation “A1” was added. In the table below, the various types are listed. Where the “A1” designation is absent, the type has not been modified. For example, the mobilizable YPR PRI.50 and the Armored Radar Vehicle were not included in the modification program. It is worth noting that not all of the types mentioned in the table were in service simultaneously. The total number of modifications is in the dozens, and it would be too extensive to list them all. Some examples of key universal modifications include:
- Replacing the American T130 tracks with German Diehl tracks
- Adding luggage racks
- Installing cable cutters
- Replacing the axles in the final drive
- Sealing off three firing ports and four periscope holes
- Applying a three-color camouflage pattern (standard NATO colors: black, moss green, and bronze brown).
One modification often led to others. For example, the sealing of the firing ports was a result of another change: the addition of luggage racks on the rear of the vehicle. While the firing ports had never been used in practice, they were now officially rendered useless.
The YPR had been in service for over 30 years. During this time, the role of the Royal Netherlands Army (Koninklijke Landmacht) had changed significantly. Anti-tank warfare at long ranges was no longer a primary task, especially with the collapse of the threat from the Warsaw Pact. Instead, the armored infantry had taken on new responsibilities. Further modifications to the YPR beyond what had already been done were no longer possible. Operational shortcomings could not be addressed without compromising other key characteristics of the vehicle. The passage of time had become more evident, and by 2008, the end of the vehicle’s lifespan was in sight. The vehicles in Afghanistan, in particular, had experienced significant wear due to operational use. Components like road wheels, tracks, and engines had endured considerable strain. The crews also opted to replace two infantry seats with 2 80 round 25mm cans, more room for jerrycans of water and a FN MAG pintle mount on top of the turret. One final addition was more pintle mounts for FN MAGs on the roof of the passenger compartiment.
The most recent modification to the YPRs had been the addition of ERA (Explosive Reactive Armor) to protect against the threat of RPGs (rocket-propelled grenades). These Russian-made anti-tank weapons, along with roadside bombs, had posed a significant threat to the vehicles and their crews in Afghanistan. The addition of ERA armor had increased the weight of the YPR by four tons, bringing it to a total of 18 tons, which added further strain on the entire drivetrain. The increased weight had also necessitated the installation of additional shock absorbers and a stronger engine. By around 2015, the last YPRs in the active units were replaced by the Fennek, Boxer, and CV90 vehicles.
Timeline of the ERA program:
- Contract with Fa Rafael: mid-2006
- Delivery of modification packages (including ERA tiles): 4th quarter of 2006
- Start of modification of YPR vehicles by the manufacturer in Tarin Kowt(Kamp Holland): January 2007
- Suspension of the modification program by C-TFU: March-April 2007
- Test in Tarin Kowt(Kamp Holland) with higher power engine and raised running gear: March 2008
- Restart of modification of YPR vehicles by IBL: March 2008
Number of operational YPR vehicles in Afghanistan (specific locations: Tarin Kowt and Deh Rawod):
- YPR 765 A1 PRI: 13 vehicles
- YPR 765 A1 Prco-B: 2 vehicles
- YPR 765 A1 Prco-C3: 4 vehicles
- YPR 765 A1 Prco-C5: 1 vehicle
- YPR 765 A1 PRGN: 3 vehicles
- YPR 765 A1 PRTACP: 1 vehicle
- YPR 765 A1 PRV: 1 vehicle
- YPR 765 A1 PRGWT: 2 vehicles
- YPR 765 A1 PRBDR: 1 vehicle
- YPR 806 A1 PRB: 2 vehicles
Total number of vehicles: 30 vehicles
Loss of YPR ERA vehicles in Afghanistan:
- 6 vehicles lost:
- 5 vehicles due to IED (Improvised Explosive Device)
- 1 vehicle due to RPG hit (rocket-propelled grenade) before ERA was installed
Table: Overview of YPR Types, 1977 - 2008
Type Designation Description Number YPR 765 A1 PRI Armored Infantry Vehicle with 25mm cannon and MAG coaxial machine gun 636 YPR 765 PRI.50 Infantry personnel carrier with .50 caliber machine gun 110 YPR 765 A1 PRCO-B Armored Command Vehicle with 25mm cannon and MAG coaxial machine gun 53 YPR 765 A1 PRCO C1 Armored Command Vehicle with .50 caliber machine gun, Mobile command post 253 YPR 765 A1 PRCO C1VERK Reconnaissance vehicle for reconnaissance platoons Unknown YPR 765 A1 PRCO C3 Armored Command Vehicle with .50 caliber machine gun, Mobile command post for Engineers Unavailable YPR 765 A1 PRCO C4 Armored Command Vehicle with .50 caliber machine gun, Mobile command post for Air Defense 32 YPR 765 A1 PRCO C5 Armored Command Vehicle with .50 caliber machine gun, Mobile command post for Artillery Observer 187 YPR 765 A1 PRMR Armored Mortar Carrier with .50 caliber machine gun, 120mm mortar 153 YPR 765 A1 PRAT Armored Anti-Tank Vehicle with two TOW anti-tank missile launchers 303 YPR 765 A1 PRGWT Armored Casualty Transport Vehicle without weaponry 105 YPR 765 A1 PRGN Armored Engineer Vehicle with .50 caliber machine gun Unknown YPR 806 A1 PRB Armored Recovery Vehicle with .50 caliber machine gun, HIAB crane, winch 63 YPR 765 A1 PRV Armored Supply Vehicle with .50 caliber MAG machine gun 12 YPR 765 A1 PRBDR Armored Battle Damage Repair Vehicle with .50 caliber MAG machine gun Unknown YPR 765 Les Training vehicle with instructor cabin for driving instruction 10 YPR 765 A1 PRMRAT Armored Anti-Tank Vehicle (Medium Range), similar to PRCO, for tank destruction Unavailable YPR 765 A1 PRTACP Armored Tactical Air Control Party Vehicle, further details not known Unavailable YPR 765 KMAR Support Vehicle for Military Police, similar to PRCO, some with bulldozer blade Unavailable YPR 765 PRRDR Armored Radar Vehicle, similar to PRCO, with battlefield radar at the rear 87
Specifications
Dimensions: L/W/H: 5,26 m / 2,82 m / 2,54 m
Weight: 17,5 tons
Engine: Detroit Diesel Allison 6V-53T (350 hp at 2800 rpm)
Speed: 61 km/h (on-road); 6 km/h (on-water)Crew: 3+5 (1 Driver, 1 Gunner, 1 Commander and 5 Infantry)
Armament Gun Oerlikon Contraves 25mm KBA-B02 Munition PLB090 and C137 APFSDS, HE-I Ammunition 180 (turret) + 120 stowed + 2*80 round stored drums Fire rate Burst at 550 rpm and rapid single shot at 175 rpm Coax 7,62 mm FN MAG (230 + 1610 rounds) Pintle-mount 7,62 mm FN MAG (230 rounds) Active protection 1 x 6 76mm Smoke Grenades Sights Thermal IR sight
Place in War Thunder
The YPR-765 A1 PRI ERA would serve as a nice late variant of this IFV series in any Dutch/Benelux tech tree or sub tree.
Regarding nations
BeNeLux
As the BeNeLux subtree for France has now been confirmed, France has the highest chance of recieving Dutch equipment. However an independent BeNeLux would also be very possible. For further info please go to: BeNeLux (Belgium, Netherlands & Luxembourg) Ground Forces.
Pictures
Sources
- Blijleven, C., YPR 765 ‘Een unieke Amerikaans/Nederlandse familie
gepantserde voertuigen’, in: Mars et Historia 1966-1986, jrg 20 (1986) 87-90- Ministerie van Defensie. (2023, November 23). YPR-pantserrupsvoertuig. Materieel | Defensie.nl. YPR-pantserrupsvoertuig | Materieel | Defensie.nl
- Van De Mheen, M. (2024, October 18). YPR-ERA pantserrups. Nationaal Militair Museum. YPR-ERA pantserrups - Nationaal Militair Museum
- Alfred Staarman. (n.d.). De YPR-765 in de Koninklijke Landmacht. Armamentaria.
- archief Legerraad, inv. 563 ‘Organieke indeling YPR voertuigen’
- archief Legerraad, inv. 416, ‘Situatierapport aanvullende bestelling YPR765’,
december 1980- dossier 210 record 14528, ‘Afschrift brief Staatssecretaris Van Eekelen aan de
Tweede Kamer, betreffende het plaatsen van de bestelling van 841 pantser
rupsvoertuigen YPR-765 bij DAF/RSV’, 18 mei 1981- Hunnicutt, R. P., Bradley – a history of American fighting and support vehicles
(Novato CA 1999) 261- 274