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MI7M3 Stoat

The MI7M3 Stoat is a modified variant of the SC1 Stoat equipped with a remote 35mm low-pressure autocannon turret and a enlarged passenger capacity at the rear.

The army wanted a lightweight troop carrier that could support airborne operations and looked into several existing platforms to expedite the design process. The Stoat was chosen and at first was equipped with only a 12.7mm heavy machinegun. That was known as the MI7M1 but its firepower and range was severely lacking. The weapon system was mounted to the left of the vehicle taking up two seats and in place of the rear left door was a bulge fitted with a side escape hatch. Meanwhile, the rear was modified with a larger passenger compartment with a rear door for exiting. It also came with two roof hatches for fighting mounted and emergency escape. This gave a total dismount capacity of only 6, plus 1 if the vehicle commander dismounted too. 16 of the machinegun armed M1s were produced and field tested in peacekeeping operations in the northwest border of GPYF. It was received poorly and quickly returned to Khertland for further testing and development. One of these were subsequently modified to carry a recoilless rifle. It mated a Rosetta's recoilless rifle turret onto the modified M1 chassis and called the MI7M2 but was too top heavy and unbalanced. It was so heavy that it was actually too dangerous to paradrop and quickly rejected.

With neither prototypes proving satisfactory, the army decided to start from scratch, A similar modification was done to the rear of the Stoat but this time the weapon system was mounted centrally in hopes of maintaining balance during the parachuting process. This encroached upon the commander's hatch and so it had to be eliminated in the final design. The 35mm low-pressure autocannon was chosen since the airborne already uses this weapon on its Wombat simplifying logistics. It was mounted on a brand new remotely operated turret with superior optics and fire control than its predecessors. Two RPGs were mounted to the side of the turret for good measure albeit due to technical problems the rockets are rarely employed. The centrally mounted remote weapon station also meant the interior space of the vehicle was not compromised retaining the original 3 seats in the back row. This gave room for 1 more dismount than the previous designs. This became the MI7M3 and its improved performance came at a cost and due to the all new RWS, the procurement costs was more expensive.

The army was fairly satisfied with the final product but still received mixed reviews by the airborne troops themselves particularly around its protective qualities. With the budget allotted starting to run dry, the army couldn't keep further developing the vehicle. There was a choice between accepting it into service, or cancelling it. During trials, the vehicle still proved useful and doctrinally sound, just that it fell short of expectations. This convinced the army to accept the vehicle with the idea that an imperfect vehicle was better than none at all and the airborne would be better with it than without it.
Due to its relatively low cost and simple maintenance compared to heavier vehicles, ideas for giving it to conscript units has been floated. However, the reservists rejected it citing the Quadriiuga as a superior yet similarly affordable troop transport. And in terms of firepower, the Rosetta provides superior anti-armor capabilities. And should the force desire anti-air or anti-infantry combat vehicles, the Wombat was the superior choice while similarly affordable to equip en masse. As such the MI7 Stoat remains a airborne niche in service due to a lack of a better alternatives.

Blocks: 114
Volume: 137 cubic meter
Cost: 7,988
Weight: 2,935
Length: 11m
Width: 5m
Height: 3m(roof), 6m (Total)
Speed: 19 m/s
Weapon system: 35mm low-pressure autocannon