Land Rovers in Georgian Melee

[Momo]

Just found some video of the Georgian conflict with Ossetian separatists that contains a column of Land Rover troop carriers. They're extended body 110s with swing down sides and rear, pretty cool rigs.

Not sure, but they are probably Russian Land Rovers- they are well equipped- and the Georgians have been taking donated equipment for awhile.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/georgia/2525400/Georgia-Russia-enters-into-war-in-South-Ossetia.html

[LaneRover]

Those would be good on a tour!

[Alacrity]

Those are Georgian troops - hard to tell but I think 11th Mech Bde since the convoy includes T-72s - not Kodjori SOF as the weapons mix isnt correct. Those are the two units that have significant quantities of Rovers

As you point out the Georgians been getting donation from a number of sources - Great Britain, Germany, but Primarily the US and some of the largest donations from Turkey - a key ally.

Almost certain those Rovers are Turkish LR Otokar Troop Carriers -

http://www2.ssm.gov.tr/katalog2007/data/294/images/110_tenteli_03.jpg

Turks have a large military assistance program for the Georgians (about $40m US over the last 8 years). In '04 they donated roughly 50 Land Rovers. They've also provided some Akrep ACs.

The US has also sourced Land Rovers in small numbers from Turkey under the Georgia Sustainment and Stability Operations Program.

[Momo]

thanks Alac. Thought they were otokars as I've never seen that bed before but the only sources I could find said that Georgia had just a few token LRs.

Funny, the same day I found that story, I caught a blurb on Jalopnik.com about the top ten Russian military vehicles of all time. If you think the Roadless Rover, hovercraft Rover, or other "X" Rovers were weird, you ain't seen nothin yet...

[Alacrity]

Here's Otokar's English Commercial Offerings Sub Site:

http://www2.ssm.gov.tr/katalog2007/data/294/firmaeng.html

They make some interesting Land Rover Variants:

http://www2.ssm.gov.tr/katalog2007/data/294/images/110_engerek_ozel_harekat_ar.jpg

Land Rover 110 Engerek–Special Operations Vehicle

http://www2.ssm.gov.tr/katalog2007/data/294/images/110_gizli_zirhli_station_wa.jpg

Discreetly Armored Station Wagon

http://www2.ssm.gov.tr/katalog2007/data/294/images/zpt_amb.jpg

Armoured Ambulance