On May 6, 2024, Chile’s national police force, the Carabineros, integrated the first Arquus-Defense Bastion 4×4 armored personnel carriers (APCs) into their fleet. Announced by Chile’s Undersecretariat of the Interior, this procurement aims to enhance the operational capabilities and response times of police patrols, especially in the southern Macrozona Sur region of Chile. The Undersecretary of the Interior collaborated with the Carabineros to facilitate the acquisition of these armored vehicles.
The announcement, made public in July 2022, highlights the government’s ongoing investment in improving security infrastructure. According to an official post on the social media platform X, a spokesperson for the undersecretary stated, “We are investing in greater and better security. Bastions, this new modern transport, are fully armored and adapted for all types of terrain, allowing carabineros to move with all their equipment in better safety conditions.”
Manufactured by Acmat, a subsidiary of Arquus-Defense formerly known as Renault Trucks Defense, the Bastion vehicles are based on the chassis of the multi-functional all-terrain tactical vehicle, VLRA TDN/TDE. Designed to offer enhanced protection against ballistic threats and mines, the Bastion’s versatility and ease of maintenance enable it to perform a wide range of missions. Weighing 12 tons and capable of reaching speeds up to 110 km/h, the Bastion can accommodate a crew of two (a driver and a commander) and transport up to eight troops. It is equipped for various armaments, including remote weapon stations and turrets that can incorporate 7.62 mm and 12.7 mm machine guns or a 40 mm grenade launcher.