Increasing success for Nigerian Proforce Ara 2 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle.

Nigeria’s Proforce Ltd is preparing to launch the 2019 version of its PF Ara 2 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle as it expands into the naval and unmanned aerial vehicle markets.

Ara 2 MRAP on the production line (Picture source: Proforce)

The Ara 2 is a 4x4 Armoured Personnel Carrier, with thirty presently being produced for the Nigerian Army. Foreign countries have requested for another twenty, according to Raymond Asare-Sintim, Business Development Executive at Proforce. With the capacity to carry up to 12 personnel plus equipment, the PF Ara 2 can be configured into multiple MRAP variants for a wide range of missions.

The PF Ara 2 is a monocoque vehicle built to STANAG level 4569 protection standards with double skin protection of Level 3A and 3B, and an underbelly of 4A and 4B. This protection level ensures an underbelly with a V-shaped hull design. The higher ground clearance of 442mm and the central tyre inflation system enhances the vehicle’s off-road capabilities and can take this vehicle to challenging rural terrains.

The Ara 2 has a length of 7.1 metres and height of 3.3 m, and gross weight of 15 tons. A 12.7 mm machinegun can be mounted on a 360 degree roof turret which can be open or fully enclosed. Optional equipment includes slat armour, gun ports and grenade launchers as well as reactive armour, according to Proforce.

Proforce builds armoured personnel carriers (APCs), MRAPs, patrol boats, hard armour plates, and ballistic helmet and vests. The company is diversifying into new areas of the defence industry. These include manufacturing of communication devices in collaboration with technical partners from Pakistan and manufacturing of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in collaboration with a company from South Korea.

In line with its localisation strategy, Proforce has embarked on a backward integration strategy to produce its own ballistic steel and ballistic glass for its vehicles. This will enable the company to achieve 70% local content on its vehicles.