United Arab Emirates ordered 150 VP11 4x4 MRAP vehicles to Chinese Defense Company NORINCO 1911141.

The VP11 MRAP was unveiled for the first time to the public during the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition 2014 (AirShow China) which was held in Zhuhai (China) from the 11 to 16 November 2014.

The VP11 MRAP uses a monocoque V-shaped hull, external lightweight armor, internal spall liners and blast mitigation materials are used to protect the crew and vehicle from explosion of heavy mines under the vehicle or wheels.

The purpose of V-hulls is to increase vehicle and crew survivability by deflecting an upward directed blast from a landmine or Improvised Explosive Device (IED) away from the vehicle, while also presenting a sloped armor face. By presenting its armor at an angle, it increases the amount of material a ballistic projectile must pass through in order to penetrate the vehicle, and increases the chance of deflection.

According engineers of Norinco, the VP11 offers high level protection with good cross-country mobility and fire power.

The general layout of the vehicle is standard with the engine at the front, crew in the middle and troop’s compartment at the rear. The windscreen and windows in the upper part of the hull are bulletproof and splinterproof and provide the occupants with good visibility over the frontal arc. There is one single door on each side of the hull and one at the rear of the vehicle. The VP11 can carry seven soldiers including driver, commander and gunner.

There is also a single hatch in the roof and various weapon station options are available. At AirShow China 2014, the VP11 was fitted with a remote weapon station mounted on the roof of the crew compartment. A bank of four smoke grenade dischargers is mounted on each side at the top of the hull.