The US Marine Corps (USMC) announced that it would keep the amphibious AAV-7 armoured vehicles out of the water unless an emergency arises. “Given the current state of the amphibious vehicle program, the USMC Commander has decided that AAVs will not participate in operational deployments or take part in water exercises,” The USMC said in a statement. The decision resulted from a fatal accident on July 30, 2020, with the sinking of an AAV7 off California which resulted in the deaths of eight Marines and a Navy corpsman.
“The Marine Corps took into account the recommendations of the accident investigation in the summer of 2020 and imposed changes, so the AAV-7 is a safe and effective vehicle for amphibious operations,” the USMC said in a statement. However, the announcement continues: “Given the current state of the amphibious vehicle program, the USMC Commander has decided that AAVs will not participate in operational deployments or take part in water exercises. The AAV will return to companies in the water only in a crisis. The decision was made favouring the amphibious vehicle long-term program and future capabilities. The AAV will continue to operate ashore. However, we reserve the right to reverse this decision if necessary “.
Greece will procure from the US Marine Corps inventory as second-hand a total of 76 AAV-7. Each AAV-7 can carry a total of 25 marines. The vehicles are designed to be operational up to Sea Condition 5.
