Puneet Varma (Editor)

DAF YP 408

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Place of origin
  
Netherlands

Length
  
6.23 m

Weight
  
9.9 t

Width
  
2.4 m

DAF YP-408

Type
  
Wheeled Armored Personnel Carrier

Used by
  
Netherlands  Portugal  Suriname

The DAF YP-408 is a Dutch 6×8 armoured personnel carrier, with three out of four axles driven by the typical DAF H-drive. It has a 6-litre, 6-cylinder diesel engine with a 5-speed gearbox and a 2-speed transfer case.

Prototypes were developed in the late 1950s, with the production of 750 vehicles taking place in the 1960s. The YP-408 entered service in 1964 and remained in use with the Dutch army until 1987. A number of vehicles serving with the Netherlands Army in Suriname were handed to the new Surinamese army when that country became independent in 1975.

A few examples are still used by the Polícia Aérea (Portuguese Air Force military police) in the air base security role.[1]

Variants

  • YP-408 PWI-S /Pantserwiel Infanterie Standaard: Basic version with a two-man crew (driver and gunner), able to carry up to ten passengers and armed with a Browning HB 12.7mm HMG. Of the 429 vehicles produced, around 84 were later converted to other roles (see below). In reality, this version consisted of two near identical models:
  • YP-408 PWI-S(GR)/Pantserwiel Infanterie Standaard (Groep): This was used to carry an armoured infantry section.
  • YP-408 PWI-S(PC)/Pantserwiel Infanterie Standaard (Pelotonscommando): Platoon commander's variant fitted with an RT 3600 Radio and a pair of antennae.
  • YP-408 PWCO /Pantserwiel Commando: Command vehicle fitted with additional radios and a desk equipped with special lighting. Crew comprised six men. 179 were built.
  • YP-408 PWGWT /Pantserwiel Gewondentransport: Unarmed version with a three-man crew (driver, signaller and a medic) able to carry up to six wounded soldiers (two on stretchers and four seated). 28 were built.
  • YP-408 PWV /Pantserwiel Vracht: Cargo vehicle capable of carrying a 1,500 kg payload. 28 were built.
  • YP-408 PWMT /Pantserwiel Mortier: Mortar transporter that towed a 120mm mortar. Besides the driver and gunner, the vehicle carried a five-man mortar detachment and 50 shells. 86 were built.
  • YP-408 PWAT /Pantserwiel Antitank: Anti-tank vehicle with a centrally mounted TOW launcher instead of an MG mount. The vehicle, which had a four-man crew, was a conversion of the basic YP-408 PWI-S. Approximately 55 were produced.
  • YP-408 PWRDR /Pantserwiel Radar: This version carried a Marconi ZB 298 Battlefield Surveillance Radar that could be mounted on the roof behind the MG mounting, or detached and mounted on a tripod. The vehicle, which had a four-man crew, was a conversion of the basic YP-408 PWI-S. Approximately 29 were produced.

    • References

    DAF YP-408 Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA