Yep, the guy who suggested: Guys! Rather then wasting time and money - buy THIS http://armor.kiev.ua/Tanks/Modern/btr90/
For which we'd get a proven vehicle that swims, has working 23 or 30mm gun systems with a 100mm gun available, and crew exit doors to the side like the MPs ASV and a large enough top crew hatch to allow venting the overpressure generated by shaped charge HEAT warheads like those of the various RPG launchers. I'm not at all certain how effective its armor protection is, but it's of steel that can handle reactive *Blazer* armor or maybe even an *Arena*bactive defense system.
Not certain whether one would go in a C130 or not, but we're not certain whether Stryker will or not, either. And we know the BTR can swim, a handy feature if such vehicles are indeed to be delivered by Army or Navy transport vessels.
As an *interim vehicle*- if they're still trying to sell that happy thought too- it's not the worst idea I've heard, and we could do a lot worse. Very cost-effective, at least.
Soldier 44th, have you experience with the BTRs? 44th motor-rifles, perhaps, or rebuilt 44th division? You with VDV, by chance; I'd be very interested in knowing about air-dropping of BTR, though BMD is of course the preferred vehicle for such desantniki operations.
