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Armoured vehicles manufacturer Lenco has delivered five new custom “BearCat” armoured vehicles for riot response, tactical and counter-terrorism operations with the NSW Police.
The armoured, nine-tonne Lenco “BearCat” vehicles, worth $3.5 million, have been specifically designed and manufactured to respond to the state’s most dangerous incidents.
The new additions bring the total number of specialised armoured vehicles in NSW to six, the most of any state in the country.
The vehicles will transport officers from the Tactical Operations Unit (TOU) and negotiators during operations where protection from hostile weapon fire and a safe base of operations is required.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said the vehicles were the latest weapon to respond to high-risk incidents, restore public order and protect our police during potential acts of terrorism.
“They are deployed by the Tactical Operation Unit during high-risk situations,” Commissioner Webb said.
“This is about protecting our specialist officers. All of these vehicles are bullet and blast resistant and have the capacity to transport hostages or injured personnel.”
In an Australian first, one of the new BearCats is equipped with an extendable ramp to allow officers to access multi-storey buildings and aircraft quickly, efficiently and safely. This vehicle will be stationed in Sydney to respond to metropolitan high-risk incidents.
Four other vehicles will be deployed strategically in northern, western and southern areas of the state, allowing TOU and regional tactical officers and negotiators an increased level of protection when responding to high-risk incidents. The strategic deployment is expected to significantly reduce response time of an armoured vehicle to a regional area.
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said the custom vehicles would greatly improve the capability of the TOU to respond to and disrupt high-risk situations across the state.
“The NSW Police Force is world class so it’s only fitting they have modern resources and technology to fight crime and keep our community safe,” Minister Catley said.
Each vehicle weighs nine tonnes and is equipped with ballistic-rated protection, including riot shield covers, rotating roof hatches, spotlights, external speakers, advanced camera systems, advanced technical and communication capabilities.
The armoured vehicles are based on the American Ford F-550 chassis and powered by a 6.7L V8 turbo diesel engine.
“The NSW Police Force TOU has conducted extensive research and testing over three years into the world’s leading armoured vehicle manufacturers, working closely with Lenco and Australian armoured vehicle experts to custom design and manufacture vehicles for NSW Police operations,” the NSW Police said.
