CVR(T) Projects (prototypes, variants)

[Jason Dykstra (Wyvern)]

Hi everybody,

I was looking around on the forums and found that there wasn't a thread about the CVR(T) family, so I thought I would start one. If there is a thread which would be applicable, I kindly ask the moderators to merge this with it.

I am currently researching CVR(T) variants and have run into a large number of them, and have been unable to find a comprehensive list about the vehicle family. Therefore, I felt that it would be a good idea to start a thread to compile information in one place about the multitude of variants which are known to exist.

The project below is taken from Jane's IDR 1998, showing a Scorpion mounting a Helio FVT925 turret, armed with a 25mm M242 cannon. This is one of a number of CVR(T) variants armed with a 25mm cannon. More details are in the article posted below. Is there any more information about this specific vehicle available?

 

[Apophenia]

Not at all comprehensive, just part of my attempt to gather FV designations ...

FV100 Series - Combat Vehicle, Reconnaissance (Tracked)
- FV101: Scorpion Mk.1; CVR(T) Fire Support variant
-- FV101 light recce tank armed with 76 mm L23A1 gun
-- Sabre: Conv., FV107 Scimitar analogue, Fox turret
-- Salamander: Conv., OPFOR 'T-80' vehicle for BATUS
- FV102: Striker CVR(T) ATGM carrier variant
-- FV102: 5 x Swingfire launchers + 5 x reloads
- FV103: Spartan CVR(T) APC variant, carries 3 + 7
- FV104: Samaritan CVR(T) armoured ambulance variant
- FV105: Sultan CVR(T) command and control variant
- FV106: Samson CVR(T) ARV variant, with rear A-frame
- FV107: Scimitar CVR(T) recce/light tank variant
-- FV107 Scimitar armed with 30 mm L21 Rarden cannon
- FV108: Streaker, CVR(T) REME Light Aid Detachment
- FV109: Workhorse, CVR(T) APC, FV432 as replacement
- FV120: FV103 Spartan with Compact Milan Turret; 1986
-- Desig. poss based on FV102 Striker ATGM carrier (??)
- FV13x-FV17x : (??)
- FV180: Combat Engineering Tractor, Royal Engineers
-- FV180 CET has fwd winch, rear earth-moving bucket

FV4330 Series - Stormer CVR(T) Derivatives
- FV4333: Stormer Armoured Carrier hull
-- On an extended and widened CVR(T) hull
- FV433(?): 1986 self-propelled SAM platform
-- 2 x quad Thales Starstreak HVM launchers
- FV433(?): 1991 mine-layer; flatbed rear
-- W/ French Minotaar mine dispersal system
-- Replaced by Shielder mine-laying system
- FV433(?): (Project) BAE armoured ambulance
- FV433(?): (Project) BAE ARV derivative
- FV433(?): (Project) BAE 81 mm Mortar Carrier
- FV433(?): (Project) BAE 120 mm Mortar Carrier
- FV433(?): (Project) BAE Stormer 30 tank-killer
-- Stormer 30 w/ 30 mm M242 + TOW ATGM launchers
- FV433(?): (Project) Stormer AVLB bridgelayer
- FV433(?): (Project) Stormer Command and Control

OT: If anyone can fill in any of those 'missing' CVR(T) FV designations, I'd be very grateful!

 

[Jason Dykstra (Wyvern)]

Thanks for the list! It helps a lot!

Also found this:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1620008221405777920

View: https://twitter.com/thinkdefence/status/1620008221405777920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1620008221405777920%7Ctwgr%5E99072d8c3d45dc863368bd6ace1a79adb3f848d1%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thinkdefence.co.uk%2F2023%2F02%2Fmounted-close-combat-overwatch-mcco%2F

 

[Jason Dykstra (Wyvern)]

Scorpion 2000 - a modernised variant of the the Scorpion meant for export, with improved capabilities, as well as improved crew comfort.

Scorpion 2000 is a project by the British company Repaircraft PLC to refurbish and upgrade the Scorpion tank for 2000 onwards. Modifications include the addition of an auxiliary power unit with secondary generator to provide electrical power and to drive air conditioning without running the main engine. The track and suspension have been improved and increased storage space is provided. The Spartan APC and the Sultan Command vehicle are also available with similar improvements. And, if you have ever wondered how much a (light) tank costs, Scorpion prices start at about 200,000 (12/1999)

From: http://table-tanks.blogspot.com/2007/07/scorpion-2000.html

 

[Scott Kenny]

I'd love to get one of those CVR(T)s, particularly a Scimitar or Scorpion. They'd be so much fun to drive around!

 

[timmymagic]

Not at all comprehensive, just part of my attempt to gather FV designations ...

One to add is Scimitar Mk.2. This is a new built Spartan chassis with Scimitar turret mounted on the top.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5tqrQJ7nGo


There was also a Scimitar for Afghanistan with Odin turret with .50cal MG with side mounted Thermal Imager.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1624532110173253633

View: https://twitter.com/Gabriel64869839/status/1624532110173253633

 

[Old_ROF]

Not at all comprehensive, just part of my attempt to gather FV designations ...

FV100 Series - Combat Vehicle, Reconnaissance (Tracked)
- FV101: Scorpion Mk.1; CVR(T) Fire Support variant
-- FV101 light recce tank armed with 76 mm L23A1 gun
-- Sabre: Conv., FV107 Scimitar analogue, Fox turret
-- Salamander: Conv., OPFOR 'T-80' vehicle for BATUS
- FV102: Striker CVR(T) ATGM carrier variant
-- FV102: 5 x Swingfire launchers + 5 x reloads
- FV103: Spartan CVR(T) APC variant, carries 3 + 7
- FV104: Samaritan CVR(T) armoured ambulance variant
- FV105: Sultan CVR(T) command and control variant
- FV106: Samson CVR(T) ARV variant, with rear A-frame
- FV107: Scimitar CVR(T) recce/light tank variant
-- FV107 Scimitar armed with 30 mm L21 Rarden cannon
- FV108: Streaker, CVR(T) REME Light Aid Detachment
- FV109: Workhorse, CVR(T) APC, FV432 as replacement
- FV120: FV103 Spartan with Compact Milan Turret; 1986
-- Desig. poss based on FV102 Striker ATGM carrier (??)
- FV13x-FV17x : (??)
- FV180: Combat Engineering Tractor, Royal Engineers
-- FV180 CET has fwd winch, rear earth-moving bucket

FV4330 Series - Stormer CVR(T) Derivatives
- FV4333: Stormer Armoured Carrier hull
-- On an extended and widened CVR(T) hull
- FV433(?): 1986 self-propelled SAM platform
-- 2 x quad Thales Starstreak HVM launchers
- FV433(?): 1991 mine-layer; flatbed rear
-- W/ French Minotaar mine dispersal system
-- Replaced by Shielder mine-laying system
- FV433(?): (Project) BAE armoured ambulance
- FV433(?): (Project) BAE ARV derivative
- FV433(?): (Project) BAE 81 mm Mortar Carrier
- FV433(?): (Project) BAE 120 mm Mortar Carrier
- FV433(?): (Project) BAE Stormer 30 tank-killer
-- Stormer 30 w/ 30 mm M242 + TOW ATGM launchers
- FV433(?): (Project) Stormer AVLB bridgelayer
- FV433(?): (Project) Stormer Command and Control

OT: If anyone can fill in any of those 'missing' CVR(T) FV designations, I'd be very grateful!

Another variant was the Scorpion 90 or Scorpion 2. Fitted with the Cockerall Mk3 90mm ordnance. Not used in UK service.

A Spartan was used by the FVRDE at Chertsey for test and evaluation purposes. At one time it was fitted with high speed band tracks.

Although the CET was designated the FV180 it has no commonality with the Alvis Scorpion family. It was originally designed by MEXE at Christchurch and manufactured by Royal Ordnance Factories at Leeds and Nottngham.

 

[Apophenia]

... Although the CET was designated the FV180 it has no commonality with the Alvis Scorpion family. It was originally designed by MEXE at Christchurch and manufactured by Royal Ordnance Factories at Leeds and Nottngham.

Yes, I've never understood why the 'FV' list-makers lump the FV180 in with the CVR(T)s. But then, there is much about the 'FV' series designations that don't make much sense ...

 

[timmymagic]

Another two CVR(T) variants to add...

mPODt

The MPODt Concept

Foxwood Diesel have sponsored the mPODt concept of upgrading the engine from a Perkins engine to a Cummins engine.

www.foxwooddiesel.com

https://www.cvrtparts.com/concept-vehicles/

Photo of the mPODt demonstrator with ODIN turret

https://imgur.com/cd9tgn1

View: https://imgur.com/cd9tgn1


Stallion

mPODt used the Stallion, a prototype of the Stormer based Shielder as its base....more detail in the thread on HMVF below...

CVR(T) Stallion

There's one on Milweb at the moment (here) So, who has any details? To my eye they look a lot like Streaker / Shielder but those new light clusters make them look a lot more aggressive, the rest of the CVR(T)s are a bit 'My First Tank' :cool2: Stone

hmvf.co.uk

Video of a privately owned Stallion

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGqDDkreeHk

 

[Rulan]

FV107 Scimitar with TOGS from retired Chieftain Mk11s, circa 1993.

 

[timmymagic]

Hi everybody,

I was looking around on the forums and found that there wasn't a thread about the CVR(T) family, so I thought I would start one. If there is a thread which would be applicable, I kindly ask the moderators to merge this with it.

I am currently researching CVR(T) variants and have run into a large number of them, and have been unable to find a comprehensive list about the vehicle family. Therefore, I felt that it would be a good idea to start a thread to compile information in one place about the multitude of variants which are known to exist.

The project below is taken from Jane's IDR 1998, showing a Scorpion mounting a Helio FVT925 turret, armed with a 25mm M242 cannon. This is one of a number of CVR(T) variants armed with a 25mm cannon. More details are in the article posted below. Is there any more information about this specific vehicle available?

Just to add...same Helios turret, made in the UK but funded by the French....

You could well imagine that they'd perform rather well in Ukraine right now....into action realy fast.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1791940922122306040

View: https://x.com/thinkdefence/status/1791940922122306040

 

[Slakrrrrrr]

How about something with a little bit more bite?

 

[Scott Kenny]

How about something with a little bit more bite?

110mm gun? Was that one of the "rifled 105mm isn't powerful enough anymore" prototypes that they just cut the rifling out of a 105?

 

[DWG]

How about something with a little bit more bite?

9 rounds in the auto-loading variant (apparently 6 APDS, 3 HESH?). Deep magazines this thing didn't have.

The manual loading variant is slightly better with 12 rounds. If you compare the front and overhead views, the 'NBC' on the overhead view is clearly pointing at the '12 charges' on the front view, while the 12 projectiles are between the driver and loader. (And I wonder if they aren't all HESH given the limited depth in the side illustration and the difficulty manipulating any sort of long-rod penetrator between vertical storage and the breech in the space available)

 

[Slakrrrrrr]

Courtesy of Ed Francis:

 

[timmymagic]

Might count as a new variant....Spartan in Ukrainian usage (believe this and the others were purchased privately by the Serhiy Prytula Foundation) as a full blown APC. .50 cal Browning on ring mount with racking removed from the inside....so they can cram 8 soldiers in....and as many as 12 in an emergency....

Googles Ukrainian to English subtitles work surprisingly well...

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwSve1pmN64

 

[Jason Dykstra (Wyvern)]

Alvis Streaker MLRS

A good post about it written by my friend:

Alvis FV108 Streaker CVR(t) MLRS

poll Alvis Streaker Ranger MLRS Vehicle design history: The Streaker was intended to be a subfamily of the CVR(t) series of vehicles, with its variants focused on logistical support and engineering roles based on the already proven range. The reason for this was the Scorpion and its...

forum.warthunder.com

 

[Jason Dykstra (Wyvern)]

Stretched CVR(T) hull. I don't have any details about it.

 

[VIKINGTANK]

Scimitar in Ukraine, not a Scorpion as in the link, but with the Rarden replaced with a KPVT 14.5 mm HMG.

View: https://x.com/front_ukrainian/status/1875248836643619012

 

[Scott Kenny]

Scimitar in Ukraine, not a Scorpion as in the link, but with the Rarden replaced with a KPVT 14.5 mm HMG.

That's an interesting weapons swap. I could understand replacing the Rarden with another 30mm gun. But down-gunning to a 14.5 is kinda odd to me.

 

[starviking]

That's an interesting weapons swap. I could understand replacing the Rarden with another 30mm gun. But down-gunning to a 14.5 is kinda odd to me.

I think it’s a case of make do with what you’ve got, possibly coupled with the fact that a smaller gun will give you more “wiggle room” to fit it.

 

[Scott Kenny]

I think it’s a case of make do with what you’ve got, possibly coupled with the fact that a smaller gun will give you more “wiggle room” to fit it.

And likely encourages the recon troops to run away and report instead of fighting, now that I think about it.

 

[VIKINGTANK]

Ukraine has the Tavria 14.5 and the Tavria 14.5/7.62 Remote Weapon Station (RWS) in service on several wheeled and tracked vehicles using the KPVT 14.5 mm HMG so could be parts of this replacing the Rarden. The KPVT is a powerful, if old, weapon and would make a right mess of any BMP-1 and 2, unless uparmoured, and the AP B32 round can defeat 32 mm of armour at 500 m according to the net.

 

[TinWing]

That's an interesting weapons swap. I could understand replacing the Rarden with another 30mm gun. But down-gunning to a 14.5 is kinda odd to me.

The Rarden 30mm wasn't stabilized (so it can fire accurately on the move), takes oddball, non-standard 30x170 ammo (fewer choices and less developed than NATO 25x137 or the standard 30x113 and 30x173 types) and has a slow rate of fire due to 3 round clips - not even sufficient for unaimed supression on the move. Moreover, Ukraine doesn't have all that many Rarden canons, unless the UK dumps a lot of old Warrior IFVs on them. Basically, it doesn't make sense to maintain a supply chain and training for something of such dubious combat value. The 14.5mm is far simpler to maintain and operate and the ammo is readily attainable.

 

[TinWing]

I think it’s a case of make do with what you’ve got, possibly coupled with the fact that a smaller gun will give you more “wiggle room” to fit it.

There's an old picture of General Alexander Haig getting into a CVR(T) and despite being comparatively thin by modern standards, he barely fit. The average Ukrainian solider is well into his 40s, quite heavy set and is obviously wearing more layers of clothing/body armor and carrying more kit than a 1970s NATO general.

I always wondered if the hatches were a bit undersized on the CVT(T) family? But there again, people were much smaller decades ago.

 

[Foo Fighter]

Even back in the day, they were not the easiest to enter/debus.

 

[timmymagic]

That's an interesting weapons swap. I could understand replacing the Rarden with another 30mm gun. But down-gunning to a 14.5 is kinda odd to me.

The thing you have to remember is RARDEN was specifically designed to have minimal turret intrusion. Any other 30mm outside of an adapted 30mm x 113 cannon (and even that would be a squeeze) just won't fit. In that sense KPVT makes perfect sense....and it makes .50 BMG look rather pedestrian to boot.

The Rarden 30mm wasn't stabilized (so it can fire accurately on the move), takes oddball, non-standard 30x170 ammo (fewer choices and less developed than NATO 25x137 or the standard 30x113 and 30x173 types) and has a slow rate of fire due to 3 round clips - not even sufficient for unaimed supression on the move. Moreover, Ukraine doesn't have all that many Rarden canons, unless the UK dumps a lot of old Warrior IFVs on them. Basically, it doesn't make sense to maintain a supply chain and training for something of such dubious combat value. The 14.5mm is far simpler to maintain and operate and the ammo is readily attainable.

To be fair RARDEN entered service a decade before 25mm Bushmaster rocked up. At the time the choice for NATO AFV's was .50BMG or 20mm Hispano...RARDEN was a revolution in firepower as a result.

30x173 just wasn't around....40mm Bofors was also, and still is, not a great gun for an AFV.

I don't think any RARDEN have been sent to Ukraine at all. There has been 'reports' around Scimitar being sent...but none have been seen to date. BAE have restarted 30x170 production, but that is presumably to cover the last few years of Warrior service since WCSP was cancelled.

Here's another CVR(T) variant...with a Ukrainian turret....was shown in Jordan with a potential upgrade. This turret, called Shkval is armed with a 30mm 2A72 30mm cannon, PKT MG, 2 x Konkurs missiles on the right side (with 2 reloads inside) and an AGS-17 GMG on the right side.....quite a lot of firepower..... and is/was also used on the BMP-1U upgrade. Ukraine received 12 BMP-1U and sold 15 to Georgia in 2007....who promptly lost most of them ayear later in the 2008 Russia-Georgia war....the Russian's captured at least 5 intact....and to make things even wierder they turned up in Russian service in Ukraine 4 of which have been destroyed, damaged or abandoned after combat with Ukraine....

https://twitter.com/x/status/1875704828330234173

View: https://x.com/thinkdefence/status/1875704828330234173

 

[Scott Kenny]

The thing you have to remember is RARDEN was specifically designed to have minimal turret intrusion. Any other 30mm outside of an adapted 30mm x 113 cannon (and even that would be a squeeze) just won't fit. In that sense KPVT makes perfect sense....and it makes .50 BMG look rather pedestrian to boot.

Ah, okay, I was expecting there to be space to swap in a 30x165mm gun.

Here's another CVR(T) variant...with a Ukrainian turret....was shown in Jordan with a potential upgrade. This turret, called Shkval is armed with a 30mm 2A72 30mm cannon, PKT MG, 2 x Konkurs missiles on the right side (with 2 reloads inside) and an AGS-17 GMG on the right side.....quite a lot of firepower..... and is/was also used on the BMP-1U upgrade. Ukraine received 12 BMP-1U [...]

That's the kind of turret I was expecting to see on them.

 

[VIKINGTANK]

Ah, okay, I was expecting there to be space to swap in a 30x165mm gun.




That's the kind of turret I was expecting to see on them.

Interesting discussion; thanks.

The Shkval turret is intended as a semi Remote Weapon Station (RWS). So any Shkval mount on the Scorpion/Scimitar hull, although I note the Jordanian upgrade turret was known as the Kastet combat module - but it appears to be an upgrade of the Shkval, would make it very tight for a crew of 3; remember on the Scorpion/Scimitar the commander/gunner lived in the turret. The Shkval/Kastet does have a hatch for a commander but the gunner would need to be mostly below the turret ring; very tight. And not an easy escape route for the gunner through the commanders hatch as he does not have his own hatch. Some images here on the BMP-1U/Scorpion with the Kastet RWS (same vehicle as timmymagic posted above I believe);

https://mil.in.ua/en/articles/shkval-how-ukraine-modernized-bmps-ended-up-in-russia-and-fight-against-the-defense-forces/

PS; if you want a tight turret try the Peak Engineering L37 MG (a GPMG) turret we had on the back of our FV432's many moons ago. I was 10 stone soaking wet and it was a tight fit to climb out of the turret hatch.

 

[whatismoo]

The thing you have to remember is RARDEN was specifically designed to have minimal turret intrusion. Any other 30mm outside of an adapted 30mm x 113 cannon (and even that would be a squeeze) just won't fit. In that sense KPVT makes perfect sense....and it makes .50 BMG look rather pedestrian to boot.



To be fair RARDEN entered service a decade before 25mm Bushmaster rocked up. At the time the choice for NATO AFV's was .50BMG or 20mm Hispano...RARDEN was a revolution in firepower as a result.

30x173 just wasn't around....40mm Bofors was also, and still is, not a great gun for an AFV.

I don't think any RARDEN have been sent to Ukraine at all. There has been 'reports' around Scimitar being sent...but none have been seen to date. BAE have restarted 30x170 production, but that is presumably to cover the last few years of Warrior service since WCSP was cancelled.

Here's another CVR(T) variant...with a Ukrainian turret....was shown in Jordan with a potential upgrade. This turret, called Shkval is armed with a 30mm 2A72 30mm cannon, PKT MG, 2 x Konkurs missiles on the right side (with 2 reloads inside) and an AGS-17 GMG on the right side.....quite a lot of firepower..... and is/was also used on the BMP-1U upgrade. Ukraine received 12 BMP-1U and sold 15 to Georgia in 2007....who promptly lost most of them ayear later in the 2008 Russia-Georgia war....the Russian's captured at least 5 intact....and to make things even wierder they turned up in Russian service in Ukraine 4 of which have been destroyed, damaged or abandoned after combat with Ukraine....

https://twitter.com/x/status/1875704828330234173

View: https://x.com/thinkdefence/status/1875704828330234173

I was curious about this a few years ago and went and clambered around one with someone I know who works with autocannons and the conclusion was that you could fit a 25mm Bushmaster in place of the rarden more or less fine, with enough space to run electric drives for stabilization and T/E. All apocryphal though, and 'minute of eyeball' accuracy.

 

[VIKINGTANK]

Good point whatismoo, I was involved in the Kuwaiti Desert Warrior program in a small way a long time a go and the 25 mm Bushmaster breech did not protrude much into the turret BUT to separate the crew from the 25 mm, and the co-ax MG, from the fumes on firing it was all contained in a large thick plastic zip up bag. The fumes were then fan assisted out. But the bag took up a lot of room in the turret, with this I think it would not fit in the Scimitar etc. But fumes might not be a prioriety with the Ukrainians!

I expect the Ukrainians just used what was available, fitted easily and ammo was plentiful. And remember we have so far only seen a single example with the KVPT HMG. There might be other weapon options we have yet to see, if they fit!

 

[Scott Kenny]

And like I (belatedly) realized, the 14.5 will encourage the recon crews to run away and report, rather than try to fight their way through.

 

[TinWing]

And like I (belatedly) realized, the 14.5 will encourage the recon crews to run away and report, rather than try to fight their way through.

If an enviroment is so RF denied that a recon crew has to "run away and report," you probably would have a density and proximity of enemy forces that would prevent the use of a tiny tinclad to begin with. In short, if you can't radio in, you probably won't survive long enough in a CVR(T) to make a physical report either.

 

[Scott Kenny]

If an enviroment is so RF denied that a recon crew has to "run away and report," you probably would have a density and proximity of enemy forces that would prevent the use of a tiny tinclad to begin with. In short, if you can't radio in, you probably won't survive long enough in a CVR(T) to make a physical report either.

It's not RF denied, it's that a bigger gun encourages troops to try to fight through the opposing screen to find the main forces.

Reversing back over a hill and saying "found enemy screen at [grid coordinates], attempting to sneak past" is better than getting your ride blown up as you try to go through the screen.

 

[Apophenia]

It's not RF denied, it's that a bigger gun encourages troops to try to fight through the opposing screen to find the main forces.

Reversing back over a hill and saying "found enemy screen at [grid coordinates], attempting to sneak past" is better than getting your ride blown up as you try to go through the screen.

The classic sabre-versus-stealth debate faced by every armoured recce tactics developer and vehicle procurement committee.

 

[iverson]

It's not RF denied, it's that a bigger gun encourages troops to try to fight through the opposing screen to find the main forces.

Reversing back over a hill and saying "found enemy screen at [grid coordinates], attempting to sneak past" is better than getting your ride blown up as you try to go through the screen.

I seem to recall that, back when the Rarden gun was introduced, this was one of the reasons given for choosing a non-automatic gun--it limited the recon vehicle's combat power to the minimum actually needed.

 

[Scott Kenny]

The classic sabre-versus-stealth debate faced by every armoured recce tactics developer and vehicle procurement committee.

Exactly.

I should point out that this is more of a Western European recon mindset than either American or Russian.

American RSTA units are also used for screening so need more weapons by doctrine, while Russian recon units basically keep fighting until they stop moving. Not sure how Chinese recon units work, I'm expecting Russian style because that's adopted from Tatar/Cossack/Mongols.

 

[timmymagic]

Not a new variant...but a view of a CVR(T) with wading skirts up in a test tank which was very rarely seen.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coW4KalDsGY&ab_channel=FWDPublishing

 

[Jason Dykstra (Wyvern)]

If I recall, MHV had stated that in an interview, a volunteer in Ukraine said that the CVR(T)s were also being used as light infantry support vehicles, being able to cross terrain most other vehicles couldn't and to provide cover fire to infantry on the ground or light vehicles.

 

[TinWing]

If I recall, MHV had stated that in an interview, a volunteer in Ukraine said that the CVR(T)s were also being used as light infantry support vehicles, being able to cross terrain most other vehicles couldn't and to provide cover fire to infantry on the ground or light vehicles.

I can't imagine something with the flimsy protection level and light armament of any CVR(T) being of any use for infantry support in the current conflict. A Leopard 1 MBT might represent a practical minimum in that regard. In the long run, "light infantry support" of the sort you're describing would only be survivable if the CVR(T) variants in question were converted into UGVs. It really isn't worth inevitably killing crews in such a high level threat environment.