Following the successful combat debut of the Nigerian Army All-Terrain vehicle (ATV), the service began designing a newer and more potent version.
Since the start of the counter-terror efforts, the Nigerian Army has suffered some limited setbacks in the ongoing Counter Insurgency operations in the North East, partly due to the ineffectiveness of some Armoured Fighting Vehicles and other light skin vehicles imported from overseas.
Also, the presence of numerous types of combat vehicles in the Army’s inventory as well as on the front-lines has caused a serious challenge for logistics officers, technicians and armourers. The Nigerian Armed Forces’ ability to tackle internal and external challenges shows that much needs to be done to reposition the country as a whole towards self-sufficiency in the production of indigenous military equipment.
With this in mind, the Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai began a process of rehabilitating the inventory as well as promoting the development of indigenous tactical vehicle.
NAVMC ATV II
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Concerning the new vehicle, a high ranking officer at Nigerian Army Vehicle Manufacturing Company (NAVMC) shared with Military Africa its next-generation light tactical vehicle mobility solution for military forces special operations.
Referred to as the NAVMC ATV II, their concept incorporates the combat experience and innovative technology from the Nigerian Army ATV I off-road design to provide an all-terrain vehicle designed to be better address its multiple and unique mission needs.
The NAVMC ATV II can be configured for small tactical unit use. This could carry four soldiers and had an overhead weapon pintle. The NAVMC ATV II could also be used as a forward unit logistics and resupply vehicle for carrying other weapon systems as well as provide scouting and reconnaissance capability.
As you might expect, the NAVMC ATV II draws from the Nigerian Army all-terrain vehicle design, powered by a petrol engine. The vehicle can accommodate two or four passengers plus a flexible payload cargo area. On-demand all-wheel drive, four-wheel double-A-arm suspension and front and rear sway bars provide all-terrain mobility and stability. It adaptive controls assures responsive handling in tight quarters and over rough ground.
In the area of weapon mount, it can be armed with 12.7 mm DsHK, 7.62 mm or FN MAG machine guns. Although, grenade launchers and anti-tank guided weapons are currently being trialled. The NAVMC ATV II offers about 2.0 square metres of stowage, 200kg payload, and 800kg towing capacity.
Regarding the armour, the NAVMC can withstand fire from small arms ranging from 7.62 mm and 5.56 mm.
Advanced GPS tracking and navigational suite as well as direct secure communication to theater command and control (C2) nodes are a prominent feature on the vehicle.
“The NAVMC ATV II can detect its location within 5 meters using the GPS system and other navigational aids. This would prevent special forces’ troops from losing their way during an important engagement.”
NAVMC poised to meet the Army’s requirement
The Nigerian Army had invested extensive research into developing the NAVMC ATV II to meet its requirements and also Africa’s defence market.
The military vehicle manufacturing company is partnering with some companies like ASD Motors Nigeria Ltd, Venture Force Limited, Innoson Motors, Machine Tool Company Osogbo and Peugeot Automobile Kaduna.
During the commisioning of the IPV/ NAV-C armoured combat vehicle, Gen. Tukur Buratai, said the Nigerian Army would source N1 billion to support its Vehicle Manufacturing Company.
“We will take a loan from there to support NAVMC so that they will be able to realise our dream of producing indigenous armoured fighting vehicles and to continue to maintain our existing equipment.”
He also said that the NAVMC is poised to meet the Army’s requirement in the production of AFVs and also project their business capacity to other African countries in the near future.
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