FV107 Scimitar

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FV107 Scimitar
Scimitar performing a firepower demonstration on Salisbury Plain
Type	Reconnaissance vehicle
Place of origin	United Kingdom
Service history
Wars	Falklands War Gulf War Bosnian War Kosovo War Iraq War War in Afghanistan Russian invasion of Ukraine
Production history
Manufacturer	Alvis / BAE Systems Land & Armaments
No. built	over 600 (for UK)[1]
Specifications
Mass	7.8 tonnes
Length	4.9 m
Width	2.2 m
Height	2.1 m
Crew	3
Armour	aluminium armour
Main armament	30 mm L21 RARDEN cannon A.P.D.S. (Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot). H.E. (High Explosive). D.S.R.R. (Discarding Sabot Reduced Range) (training) Prac. (H.E. Practice) (training)
Secondary armament	Coaxial 7.62 mm L37A1 MG
Engine	Cummins BTA 5.9 diesel 190 hp (142 kW)
Drive	tracked, with 14 lbf/in2 (0.98 kg/cm2) ground pressure
Suspension	Torsion bar
Operational range	450 km
Maximum speed	50 mph (80.5 km/h)

The FV107 Scimitar is an armoured tracked military reconnaissance vehicle (sometimes classed as a light tank) formerly used by the British Army, until it was retired from active service in April 2023.^[2] It was manufactured by Alvis in Coventry. It is very similar to the FV101 Scorpion, but mounts a high-velocity 30 mm L21 RARDEN cannon instead of a low-velocity 76 mm gun. It was issued to Royal Armoured Corps armoured regiments in the reconnaissance role. Each regiment originally had a close reconnaissance squadron of five troops, each containing eight FV107 Scimitars. Each Main Battle Tank Regiment also employed eight Scimitars in the close reconnaissance role.