Colombia army to purchase Hunter XL 4x4 MRAP vehicle from Armor International.

According to Colombian media, the Colombian Army has announced the purchase of Hunter-XL, a 4x4 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicle manufactured by the Colombian-based company Armor International. The vehicle was unveiled during the defense exhibition Expodefensa that was held in Colombia, December 2019.

Hunter XL MRAP Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle at Expodefensa 2019, defense exhibition in Colombia, December 2019. (Picture source Army Recognition)

The 4x4 Hunter XL has been developed from a Workstar 7300 chassis supplied directly by Navistar Defense and for strictly military (non-commercial) use, motorized by an International type engine with a 6-speed forward synchronized automatic transmission (also unspecified for confidentiality reasons). The vehicle has been designed as an independent monocoque mounted on a Navistar Workstar chassis, with a V-shaped floor and a protected compartment for the engine. This vehicle is based on the matrices of the TR-12, expanded to increase its operational performance.

According to its manufacturer, the Hunter XL offers ballistic protection against firing of small arms of 5.56 × 45 mm, 7.62 × 39 mm and 7.62 × 51 mm caliber ammunition, as well as explosions of anti-personnel mines, unexploded ammunition and IEDs. The roof of the vehicle can be fitted a turret armed with a Browning M2 HQC QCB machine gun, an FN Herstal M-249, an M-60E4, or a 40 mm Milkor MK-19 grenade launcher. Another option also includes the possibility to use cannon up to 20mm caliber.

The Hunter XL has thermal and reverse cameras, 12 windows, 5 doors, 11 hatches and a crane system with a winch. Its wheels are of the "run-flat".type. Preliminarily framed within category 1, the XL can transport - depending on the tactical configuration - 18 + 1 or 17 + 1 military personnel with their respective equipment.

The vehicle has a digital control panel designed by Armor (typical of the Hunter line), for the configuration of accessories, including double air conditioning, double smoke extractor, alternator, 110 and 120 V outputs.