- Yes
- No
MRZR D4 (TOW)
On May 31st 2023 members of Canadian Army’s 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment were able to display the functionality and usability of the arming Polaris MZRZ’s during Exercise Lethal Weapons. The Canadian Army started to explore this avenue of military operations and the impact that light off-road vehicles could play on potential future conflicts after observing the use of similar vehicles being used in the Ukraine conflict.
For this exercise the 3rd RCR mounted different armament on different vehicles, one was armed with an M.2. Machine gun (.50 cal), another was armed with a C16 (40mm Heckler & Koch GMG), and 2 were armed with TOW launchers.
The specific TOW launcher(s) used are not specifically known, but it is assumed that they are modern TOW systems with Day and Night optics with a forward-looking infrared sensor.
When reviewing a video that was posted to the CF (Canadian Forces) Combat Camera on Facebook. (Video Link) (at 0:38)
One of the vehicles with a TOW was firing a missile and on the missile holder from what can be seen in the video as “…E-4B-RF” which after some googling looks to be most likely the BGM-71E-4B-RF TOW 2A.
Work on these vehicles and studying them by the 3rd RCR began in November 2022 according to a post by the 2nd Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (Facebook Post)
Polaris has also incorporated many changes to the vehicle based off the feedback that was provided by the 3rd RCR. How Canadian feedback changed the MRZR Alpha | Canadian Army Today
It is unknown at this time if the Canadian Army will continue to look into arming light off-road vehicles however in July 2024 GM Canada was awarded a contract to supply the Canadian Army with 90 light tactical vehicles (LTVs). With the ability to procure more additional if needed. These vehicles are aimed to be used in the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence Multinational Battlegroup in Latvia. Which is probably not related but shows that the Canadian Army is interested in exploring the use cases of light utility vehicles. GM Defense Canada Receives Contract Award from Canadian Armed Forces for Modern Light Tactical Vehicles
There is not too much information on how Canada may plan to use this vehicle or what exact modifications were done to the vehicle at this time as the vehicle is still somewhat new and from my knowledge is still in testing.
Specs: (These specs are purely the base Polaris MZRZ D4 specifications as the impact of the armament on specs is unknown. Specs on the tested vehicles are not known to the public at this time.)
Crew: 2+ (2 would be minimum but I assume 3-4 as there are 4 seats)
Armament: 1 x TOW launcher (unknown on what exactly the tow missiles however from my investigation it looks like at least BGM-71E-4B-RF TOW 2A)
Drive System Type: On-Demand True AWD/2WD
Engine Type: Three Cylinder, Turbo Diesel
Horsepower: 55 hp
Torque: 69 ft lb
Transmission: Automatic PVT P/R/N/H/L
Ground Clearance: 12.5 in.
Payload Capacity: 1500 lb
Water Fording at 5 mph: 24 in
Curb Weight: 2101 lb
GVW: 3601 lb
General specs on the MRZR D4 can be found from Polaris’ website: https://military.polaris.com/en-us/mrzr/mrzr-d4-military-tan-specs/
Sources:
https://military.polaris.com/en-us/mrzr/mrzr-d4-military-tan-specs/