The Best Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) in the World

Do you know which is the best Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) in the world? Which is the greatest modern APC and why?

Our Top 10 analysis is based on the combined score of protection, firepower, capacity and mobility. All of the armored vehicles mentioned here are great, however not all of them have seen combat during military operations yet. Analysis is based on specifications and available data. Why all APCs listed here are wheeled? Because currently there is a trend that tracked vehicles are retired from this role due to their poor protection against mines. Why all APCs listed here have 8x8 configuration? Because 8x8 configuration offers better overall mobility, internal volume and payload capacity. This list includes only operational vehicles, that are currently in production.

Currently top 10 best armored personnel carriers in the world are these:

N10 The Pandur II (Austria)

The Best Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) in the World

The Pandur II is a further development of the previous successful Pandur APC.

Maximum level of all-round protection with add-on armor is against 14.5 mm ammunition. The baseline version has a flat bottom though, which do not protect well against landmines.

The baseline version is armed with a 12.7 mm machine gun. There is a wheeled IFV version, armed with a remotely-controlled 30 mm cannon.

Some variants of this APC are fully amphibious.

N9 The Bumerang (Russia)

The Bumerang is a new-generation Russian armored personnel carrier. It was developed to replace the BTR-series APCs.

The Bumerang It is not based on any previous Russian APC. Actually it resembles Western wheeled armored vehicles. Design flaws of the previous Soviet and Russian APCs, such as rear-mounted engine, side exit and cramped crew compartment were fixed.

It is believed that maximum level of all-round protection with add-on armor is against 14.5 mm armor-piercing rounds. Vehicle has a V-shaped hull and can survive mine blasts.

The Bumerang is fitted with remotely-controlled turret, armed with a 30 mm cannon, coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun and 4 launchers with Kornet-M anti-tank guided missiles. There is also a version armed with a single 12.7 mm machine gun.

Vehicle is fully-amphibious. On water is is propelled by two waterjets.

N8 The Boxer (Germany/Netherlands)

The Boxer is one of the latest and most advanced armored personnel carriers. It was jointly developed by Germany and Netherlands. As with all German vehicles it is well engineered and reliable.

It is a truly modular vehicle with interchangeable snap-in modules. It uses a single chassis for different purposes, including infantry carrier, command vehicle, ambulance, and supply carrier and so on.

Modular armor of the Boxer is made with special ceramic mix. Every mission module has its own primary safety cell. It is claimed that front armor withstands 30 mm rounds. All-round protection is against 12.7 mm fire. Damaged armor slabs can be easily replaced in field condition. The triple hull floor is shaped for maximum protection against anti-tank mines. Also this APC has low radar and acoustic signatures, making it harder to detect.

Despite being well protected the standard Boxer is armed only with remotely controlled 12.7 mm machine gun, or 40 mm automatic grenade launcher.

N7 The Terrex (Singapore)

The Singaporean Terrex is one of the latest and most advanced armored personnel carriers. It entered service with Singaporean armed forces in 2006.

Maximum level of all-round protection is against 14.5 mm armor-piercing rounds. Vehicle has a double V-shaped hull, which deflects mine blasts away from the vehicle. The Terrex can withstand up to 12 kg TNT explosion under the hull and the vehicle still keep on moving.

The baseline version is armed with remotely-controlled 40 mm automatic grenade launcher and coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun. Alternatively it can be fitted with remotely-controlled 12.7 mm machine gun.

The Terrex is fitted with a powerful engine, developing 400 hp. This armored personnel carrier is exceptionally mobile due to its powerful engine and advanced independent suspension system. This APC is amphibious.

N6 The Ares (United Kingdom)

The Ares is a new British armored vehicle. It is not a typical infantry section carrier vehicle, but rather a specialist team carrier vehicle. It was designed to carry combat engineer, battlefield reconnaissance or air defense missile teams with associated equipment. Essentially it is a heavily modified APC variant of the ASCOD 2 infantry fighting vehicle.

This new armored vehicle is technologically advanced. It has a modular armor and innovative protection against mine blasts. It is claimed that it is the best in terms of protection and survivability in its class. It offers high level of protection against small arms fire, artillery shell splinters and mine blasts. Crew and passengers are seated on mine blast resistant seats. This armored vehicle is also fitted with electronic counter measure system, laser warning system, local situational awareness system and some other systems. It looks that the Ares is one of the most protected armored personnel carriers.

The Ares vehicle weights around 30 t. With add-on armor its weight is increased to around 40 t. So protection level of the Ares should be similar to that of a well protected infantry fighting vehicle.

Unfortunately the Ares was never designed to combat hostile armored vehicles and has got no anti-armor capability. Its armament is purely defensive and is limited to a remotely-controlled 12.7 mm machine gun. Most other armored vehicles on this list are capable of carrying cannons and even anti-tank missiles.

The Ares has superior mobility due to its tracked configuration. It outperforms any wheeled APCs in terms of off-road mobility.

N5 The M1296 Dragoon (USA)

The M1296 Dragoon is an upgraded version of the M1126 Stryker with significantly increased lethality. Its official designation is Infantry Carrier Vehicle - Dragoon, or ICVD.

The M1296 Dragoon is a well-protected and well-armed APC. However it lacks protections for a true wheeled IFV. Still though it is better protected than many other contemporary armored personnel carriers, including Russian and Chinese designs. Maximum level of all-round protection with add-on ceramic armor is against 14.5 mm armor-piercing rounds. This vehicle was designed to survive mine blasts. It is claimed that Stryker series vehicles are superior to other armored personnel carriers regarding survivability against mines and improvised explosive devices. Dragoons employed in combat zones can be fitted fitted with steel cages, called slat armor that provides protection against anti-tank rockets and missiles. Recently an explosive reactive armor kit was designed for this vehicle.

The M1296 Dragoon is fitted with unmanned turret, armed with a 30 mm cannon. It can effectively engage lightly armored vehicles up to a range of 3 000 m. This cannon also fires airburst rounds that explode above the target. It allows to hit people hiding in trenches and behind walls. These rounds are also effective against unmanned aerial vehicles. There is also a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun.

This APC is fitted with a battlefield information management system. It links up with other similarly equipped vehicles and command posts. It displays position information of friendly vehicles.

These APCs operate in rapid deployment Stryker Brigade Combat Teams. Each brigade has more than 300 Strykers of all variants, including APCs, reconnaissance vehicles, 105 mm fire support vehicles, 120 mm mortar carriers, command vehicles, armored enginer vehicles, ambulances, anti-tank missile carriers and NBC reconnaissance vehicles. These brigades can be airlifted and deployed anywhere in the world within 96 hours.

N4 The Canadian LAV UP (Canada)

The Canadian LAV UP or LAV 6.0 is an upgraded version of the LAV III Kodiak. These will form the backbone of the Canadian armored vehicle fleet.

The upgraded LAV 6.0 weights significantly more than the original LAV III. A fully upgraded vehicle with add-on armor kit weights just over 28 t. Protection has been improved, though many of the core design elements remain the same. Currently it is one of the most protected armored personnel carrier in the world. It can be even considered as a wheeled IFV.

The most notable difference of the upgraded LAV 6.0 is a double V-shaped hull. It was added for improved protection against landmines and improvised explosive devices. Crew members and troops are seated on energy absorbing seats. Vehicle retains a ceramic add-on armor kit of the original LAV III. It looks like with this kit maximum level of all-round protection is against 14.5 mm armor-piercing rounds and the front arc withstands hits from 30 mm cannons. Cage armor can be installed for protection against anti-tank rockets and missiles.

The baseline Canadian Army vehicle has a two-man turret, armed with an M242 Bushmaster 25 mm chain gun. This weapon has an effective range of 2.4 km. There is also a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun. Another 5.56 mm machine gun is located on top of the roof. Other weapons can be also fitted. Saudi Arabia ordered the LAV 6.0 armored personnel carriers armed with 20- and 30 mm cannons.

The LAV 6.0 has improved fire control system with an integrated target detection, recognition and identification system. It automatically corrects for target range and crossing speed. Turret sights have been upgraded. The new thermal sight and intensification sight have extended ranges. So overall surveillance capability of the vehicle improved. The gunner can spot a man at a range of 1.2 km. Furthermore the LAV 6.0 has got a new battlefield management system.

This armored vehicle is powered by a 450 hp Caterpillar diesel engine. The LAV 6.0 is not amphibious.

N3 The Piranha V (Switzerland)

The Piranha V is the latest and most protected vehicle of the MOWAG Piranha line. Vehicle has an all-welded steel armor hull with integrated add-on composite modular armor. With maximum level of protection the Piranha V withstands 25 mm armor-piercing rounds all-round. Vehicle has a double floor with a V-shaped hull and is well protected against landmines and IED blasts. It withstands a 10 kg anti-tank mine blast under any wheel. This APC is also available with active protection system.

In APC configuration this vehicle is proposed with a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun, or 40 mm automatic grenade launcher. Though heavier armament can be also fitted. An uparmored and well-armed Piranha V can be even considered as a wheeled infantry fighting vehicle.

The Piranha V is fitted with a powerful engine, developing 580 hp. It has good off-road mobility due to its height-adjustable semi-active hydropneumatic suspension.

N2 The Patria AMV (Finland)

The Patria AMV With maximum level of protection the front arc of the AMV withstands 30 mm armor-piercing rounds. Vehicle also has a top-class mine protection. It withstands blasts equivalent to 10 kg of TNT. Two uparmored Polish Army vehicles were hit in Afghanistan by RPG-7 rockets, however armor was not penetrated and vehicles managed to return to base.

The baseline version is armed with remotely-controlled 12.7 mm machine gun, or 40 mm automatic grenade launcher.

This APC is fitted with a powerful engine, developing 490 or 540 hp. The baseline variant is fully amphibious

N1 The Patria AMV XP (Finland)

The Patria AMV XP is a newer, improved and more capable version of the Patria AMV, which is currently one of the best armored personnel carriers in the world. The "XP" stands for Extra Payload, Protection and Performance.

The Patria AMV XP has a maximum combat weigh of 30 t. It is heavier than the standard AMV, which is already one of the heaviest and most protected armored personnel carrier in the world. Considering its protection levels, a well-armed the Patira AMV XP can be seen as a wheeled Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), rather than a wheeled armored personnel carrier. It weighs more, is better protected and packs heavier punch than most armored personnel carriers. In many respects it even outperforms many older IFVs, such as American M2 Bradley, British Warrior, or Russian BMP-2.

With maximum level of protection the front arc of the AMV XP withstands 30 mm armor-piercing rounds. All-round protection is against 14.5 mm armor-piercing rounds. Vehicle also has a top-class mine protection. It withstands blasts equivalent to 10 kg of TNT under any wheel or anywhere under the hull. Uparmored AMV XP can survive hits of RPG-7 rockets. An NBC protection system is fitted as standard.

The Patria AMV XP can be fitted with various weapon systems, either remotely controlled or turret-mounted weapons. A baseline armored personnel carrier is proposed with a remotely-controlled weapon station, armed with a 12.7 mm machine gun. Slovak armored vehicles will be fitted with a locally-produced Turra 30 remotely-controlled turret, armed with a 30 mm cannon, 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun and two anti-tank guided missile launchers.

This armored vehicle is powered by a Scania DC13 turbocharged diesel engine, developing 603 hp. The Patria AMV XP has amphibious capability. On water it is propelled by two rear-mounted waterjets. However once extra armor is fitted it is no longer amphibious.