Ecuador Deploys Israeli MDT David and South African Mbombe 6 Armored Vehicles to Combat Narco-Terrorism.

On December 4, 2024, the Ministry of National Defense of Ecuador announced the deployment of more than 100 armored tactical vehicles, including the Israeli MDT David 4x4 and South African Mbombe 6 6x6 models. The vehicles will enhance the Armed Forces' operational capacity during the ongoing State of Exception and are intended to address an increased activity of organized crime and narco-terrorism. These units are to be deployed to conflict-prone regions immediately. The announcement was made during a ceremony at Wing 23 in Manta, attended by Minister of Defense Gian Carlo Loffredo and President Daniel Noboa, who reviewed the vehicles.
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Ecuador's massive procurement of modern armored vehicles is a response to increasing violence related to organized crime and drug trafficking, particularly along its northern border. (Picture source: Ecuador MoD)

Ecuador's procurement of advanced armored vehicles is a response to increasing violence related to organized crime and drug trafficking, particularly along its northern border. The presence of Colombian armed groups and dissidents, including remnants of the FARC-EP, has intensified security issues. This latest delivery follows the August addition of 51 vehicles, bringing the total to over 100. Under a $65 million contract with Elbit Systems in 2022, Ecuador has acquired 137 vehicles, including Israeli-made MDT Armor Tiger MKII 4x4 and South African Mbombe 6 6x6 models. These vehicles are intended to support surveillance, control operations, and counterinsurgency missions in high-risk areas.

The Mbombe 6, produced by South Africa’s Paramount Group, is a 6x6 armored vehicle providing STANAG Level 3 protection and a V-shaped hull designed to withstand up to 10 kilograms of TNT. It is armed with a 30 mm cannon and a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun. The vehicle accommodates 11 personnel, including the driver and commander, and offers a payload capacity of 2,300 kilograms. With a top speed of 100 kilometers per hour and an operational range of 700 kilometers, it is designed for use in urban, rural, and border operations.

The MDT David 4x4, manufactured by MDT Armor Corporation, a subsidiary of Israel’s Shladot LTD, is based on the Toyota Hilux platform and provides STANAG Level II ballistic protection. It can transport up to eight personnel and is configurable with 3, 4, or 5 doors. The vehicle features a 148 horsepower engine with 408 Nm of torque, options for manual or automatic transmission, a ground clearance of 279 mm, and approach and departure angles of 35° and 30°, respectively. With a gross vehicle weight of 4,200 kilograms, it is designed for personnel transport, reconnaissance, and tactical missions.

In 2024, Ecuador introduced its first locally developed Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, the Blindex Armorings C.A-Hino Dutro 716. This vehicle has NIJ Level III ballistic protection, a monocoque body, and reinforced structures capable of withstanding 7.62 x 51 mm NATO rounds. It can transport up to ten occupants, including a gunner, and is equipped with fire suppression systems, security cameras, and ballistic glass windows. It is designed for anti-terrorism and counter-narcotics operations. Additionally, Ecuador procured 20 Otokar Cobra II 4x4 tactical vehicles from Turkey’s Otokar company in August 2023, followed by 15 Otokar Ural 4x4 tactical vehicles in November 2023. These acquisitions form part of a broader effort to improve operational capabilities against criminal and insurgent activities.

Ecuador is experiencing a significant security crisis driven by organized crime and drug trafficking. In January 2024, the escape of drug lord Adolfo Macias, alias Fito, exacerbated the situation. In early December 2024, ten individuals, including nine Colombians, were killed in El Guabo, El Oro Province, in an attack linked to gang conflicts. In another incident, footballer Pedro Pablo Perlaza was kidnapped in Esmeraldas but later rescued by police. Additionally, Olger Moreno, the deputy security chief of Cotopaxi prison, was assassinated in late November.

Ecuador has accepted military assistance from over 38 nations, including the United States and Argentina, as part of its efforts to address these issues. A state of emergency has been declared, and military forces have been deployed to support police operations against criminal groups. Despite these measures, violence remains a concern, particularly in areas where Colombian and Ecuadorian drug trafficking organizations compete for control of cocaine production and trafficking routes along the Amazonian border. These efforts reflect Ecuador's attempt to strengthen its security infrastructure and respond to escalating threats.