Debunking Misconceptions About Armoured Vehicles

Last Monday, an Aurus Senat, a bullet-resistant car allegedly belonging to Archbishop Kirill, collided with a Volvo taking a frontal hit on the side at about 6:30 a.m. Moscow time. It happened at the intersection of Prospekt Mira and Botanichesky Lane. Despite the apparent damage to the vehicle, it did not move post-collision. Instead, it was concealed and presumably transported away with a service vehicle.

Shortly after the incident, a notable (and usually canny) Italian commentator and military analyst criticized the event, using it as a platform to ridicule Russian technology and demean the entire Russian populace. The commentator, with his followers, declared that "all bulletproof cars should withstand any collision and should always be capable of restarting and moving away; otherwise, they are useless."

Such a statement reveals a profound misunderstanding of the nature of armoured vehicles and the principles of close protection. This confusion seems to be based on the misconception that all bullet-resistant cars are supposed to function like military armoured vehicles, which is, quite simply, not the case.

Armoured vehicles come in several forms, serving different purposes. Yes! There are military-grade armoured vehicles designed for battlefield conditions, which are expected to withstand high-intensity attacks and continue functioning. However, these are not the same as bullet-resistant vehicles often used for VIP protection.

Most bullet-resistant vehicles designed for close protection are built to ensure passenger safety rather than to be indestructible. Like any other vehicle, these cars are expected to absorb the impact to protect the occupants when involved in an accident. They are not designed to plough through accidents and keep moving as if nothing happened. This is a fundamental safety measure to ensure the well-being of both the vehicle's occupants and any other parties involved in the incident.

A VIP bullet-resistant vehicle is primarily designed to resist ballistic attacks, not to withstand high-impact collisions and continue as if nothing happened. This principle becomes even more crucial for top-tier leaders whose vehicles often feature additional specialized systems. Due to their highly specialized designs and features, these vehicles can only operate generally with a security escort and a well-prepared route by law enforcement agencies to ensure a smooth, unimpeded journey. These vehicles, usually reserved for Presidents and Royals, could be hazardous to be driven in ordinary traffic and can't be used to have a casual trip in the City centre. In circumstances where this cannot be avoided, the VIP is always escorted by multiple cars and teams that, in case of ramming, can immediately remove the principal and bring him to safety while the others are engaging the threat.?

Having studied at the COBRA INTERNATIONAL SECURITY LIMITED in Coventry, under the tutelage of Ian Cobra UK - a former bodyguard for the Royal Family and, in my opinion, the maximum expert of the British School on the subject, I have gained an in-depth understanding of close protection and high-risk operational driving. This training emphasized the critical difference between safety and security: while the former focuses on preventing accidents, the latter is about protecting against intentional harm.

Thus, it is crucial to understand that a bullet-resistant vehicle's primary function is not to be an unstoppable force but rather a mobile safe space for its occupants. After a significant impact, like any other vehicle, it might require service before it can be back on the road, let alone being expected to drive away immediately after a collision.

In conclusion, let's refrain from using such incidents to propagate baseless stereotypes and misinformation. Instead, let's focus on fostering a proper understanding of technologies and their applications, even when those technologies originate from countries we might not always agree with. The Russians, just like any other nationality, are not "clowns" or "incompetent," and their technology is not inherently "ridiculous." Like everyone else, they design their vehicles based on physics, mechanical engineering, and safety principles.

HOW TO KNOW SOMETHING MORE ABOUT THIS?

There's no need for technical documents to prove that an armoured car isn't designed to be indestructible or unstoppable. Basic knowledge of physics and vehicle design suffices.

We already explained that an armoured car is essentially a standard car modified to protect its occupants from bullets or intrusion attempts. It isn't a military vehicle designed to resist all kinds of damage and function regardless of circumstances.

Like any vehicle, an armoured car obeys the laws of physics. In the event of a significant impact, such as a collision, the energy must be absorbed and dissipated, causing damage to the vehicle to protect its passengers – that's how it's designed.

Moreover, the mechanical components of an armoured car, like the engine, are not generally reinforced to the same extent as the vehicle's body. Even if bullet-resistant, a significant impact can damage vital components, rendering the car immobile.

Lastly, the primary function of an armoured car is to protect its occupants, not to act as an unstoppable combat vehicle. If involved in an accident, the main goal is to ensure passenger safety, not necessarily to get the car moving as swiftly as possible.

here are some references to books and documents discussing personal security and protection, including aspects related to driving armoured vehicles:

1. "Just 2 Seconds: Using Time and Space to Defeat Assassins" by Gavin de Becker, Tom Taylor, and Jeff Marquart. This book covers many issues related to protecting high-profile individuals, including using armoured vehicles.
2. "Introduction to Executive Protection" by Dale L. June. This book provides a comprehensive overview of executive protection, including using armoured vehicles for transportation.
3. "The Modern Bodyguard: The Manual of Close Protection Training" by Peter Consterdine. While not exclusively on vehicles, this book provides a detailed overview of all aspects of a bodyguard's work, including driving armoured vehicles.
4. "Protective Security Law" by Benny Hill and Jerome Miller. This book discusses security law and includes sections on vehicle security.
5. In addition, the United States State Department has a motor vehicle safety training manual that discusses driving armoured vehicles and procedures to follow in case of an attack. Although it's not a commercially published book, it might be a helpful reference.

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