South African-based Twiga Services and Logistics has unveiled Nyati armored vehicle, to compete in the International market.
Production of the Nyati armored vehicle is underway, and a launched customer in Africa is already lined up.
The unnamed African customer is developing its indigenous defense industry capability and local manufacture of the Nyati APC is part of this process.
Twiga’s Nyati is a mine-resistant and ambush-protected vehicle (MRAP), with standard NATO STANAG Level 2 ballistic protection up to 7.62×39 mm armor-piercing rounds; Level 4B blast protection protects up to 10 kg mines under the vehicle.
Development of the Nyati armored vehicle began in late-2018, as an in-house project. Subsequently, the vehicle trials began in early 2019 but were stalled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Testing and evaluation for production was completed in early 2021.
The Nyati armored vehicle can be used for a wide range of military, security, peacekeeping, and policing operations.
It comes in a range of different variants suitable for a multitude of missions, including battlefield ambulance, explosive ordnance disposal, cash in transit protection vehicle, weapon platform, riot control with water cannon, and VIP transporter.
The Nyati armored vehicle by a 7.2 liter six-cylinder Mercedes Benz diesel engine developing 240 kW (322 hp) and driving an Allison automatic transmission.
It offers a top speed of 105 km/h and a road range of around 850 km with 290 liters of fuel. The vehicle also features a central tire inflation system and run-flat inserts ensure critical mobility.
Armament options include two roof-mounted 7.62 mm machinegun mounts that can be positioned on the rear of the roof, and there are 12 firing ports around the vehicle.