Under the leadership of FFG Germany, an automotive upgrade has been developed for specialised versions of the United Defense M113 used by the German Army.

Following trials with a prototype upgraded vehicle, another five examples were ordered in 1996 and delivered in 1997, with the main production order being placed in early 1998 for 270 units.

The heart of the upgrade includes the installation of a new power pack which consists of a MTU 6V183 TC 22 diesel engine, based on the commercial Mercedes-Benz OM 441 LA, coupled to a ZF LSG 1000 steering and transmission system. Full details of this automotive upgrade are given in the second entry under Germany in this section.

The German Army only intends to install the new power pack and other FFG improvements to part of its fleet of M113 series vehicles.

FFG, teamed with MTU and ZF, KUKA, GLS and Diehl are now offering potential customers a number of further enhancements to the M113 to extend its capabilities even further.

Potential users can select those parts which meet their current operational, or indeed, financial requirements with the option of further upgrades in the future.

The vehicle commander's cupola of the basic M113 is fitted with an externally mounted 12.7 mm M2 machine gun which is aimed and fired by the commander with his head and shoulders being exposed above the turret ring.

The upgraded M113 can be fitted with a wide range of turrets and cupolas such as the new KUKA one man low profile turret Model 607 armed with a 12.7 mm M2 HB machine gun which can be aimed, fired and reloaded under complete armour protection.

This turret weighs only 400 kg and is fitted with a Pilkington Optronics Sabre roof mounted sight with a day magnification of x1.5 and a night magnification of x4 or x6. The commander is provided with seven day observation periscopes for all-round observation.

This turret is of all welded steel armour construction which provides protection from 7.62 mm x 51 armour piercing projectiles fired at point blank range.

Other types of KUKA turrets can be fitted to the upgraded M113 including the Model 605, which weighs 675 kg armed with a 12.7 mm M2 HB machine gun. Optional equipment for this turret includes an externally mounted spotlight, 76 mm smoke grenade launchers, intercom, spall liner, add onarmourfora higher level of protection, electric drive system, laser protection, image intensification night sight and complete remote control of the turret using a joystick and monitor.

Large and more well armed turrets can be fitted. In the case of for example, a two man 20 mm or 25 mm turret, the internal volume taken up by the turret basket means that less troops or equipment can be carried.

Cross-country mobility of the upgraded M113 can be improved by upgrading the suspension system which is the responsibility of GLS, a subsidiary of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, prime contractor for the Leopard 2 MBT.

The M113 suspension upgrade includes the installation of new telescopic shock-absorbers, hydraulic bump stops, new support rollers, new axles for the idler which have been repositioned and improved road wheel arms.

The existing track can be replaced by the Diehl Remscheid Type 513 track with replaceable rubber pads which is claimed to have a much longer life than the exisiting track.

Other possible options include additional passive armour system from Clouth of Germany and a fire detection and suppression system from Intertechnique of Austria.

Automotive upgrade in production for Denmark (selected early in 1999) and Germany. Details are given in the following entry.