The Royal Armed Forces (FAR) are set to bolster their military arsenal by procuring a second batch of Sherpa armored vehicles from the French company Arquus. According to Infodefensa, a specialized military affairs website, Morocco is scheduled to receive these new armored vehicles in the coming months.
Revered for its exceptional mobility, protective capabilities, and carrying capacity, this lightweight tactical vehicle boasts outstanding performance. Widely employed in various countries, including within the NATO alliance, it effectively caters to specific military requirements.
The Sherpa vehicles ordered by Morocco are outfitted with the state-of-the-art Atlas RC anti-aircraft defense system, which is based on the short-range surface-to-air missile, Mistral 3. This system features a remote-controlled turret, equipped with four Mistral missiles and a cutting-edge thermal camera of the latest generation.
Boasting enhanced crew protection, this system can be operated either from the vehicle’s cabin or remotely through a mobile workstation. Its motorized 360-degree turret is user-friendly and provides an optimized operational capability at a cost-effective rate.
The Atlas RC system also provides high mobility to air defense units. Equipped with an antenna for communication and search systems, as well as day/night sensors, it ensures seamless operation in all conditions. As per the aforementioned source, the system ordered by Morocco can transport up to eight Mistral missiles.
The Mistral, a heat-seeking portable missile, serves as a vital component of this system. With an impressive success rate of 96%, it features an infrared imaging seeker and the capability to engage targets with low infrared signatures. Its reliability makes it a preferred choice for the armed forces.