At the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2024 exhibition, the South African company Milkor introduced its latest vehicle, the Vanguard Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC). This new Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle is designed for a range of military and tactical roles, including infantry fighting, border patrol, medical support, and command operations. Like a Swiss Army knife, the Vanguard promises to keep troops safe while being adaptable and effective, regardless of the mission.
In terms of protection, the Vanguard meets NATO standards with STANAG 4A and 4B blast protection. Level 4A enables it to survive a 10 kg anti-tank mine detonating under any of its wheels or tracks, while Level 4B protects the crew even if the mine explodes under the vehicle itself. To put this into perspective, this level of protection is comparable to the International MaxxPro, which the Ukrainian Armed Forces have praised.
While other MRAPs, like the Cougar and the RG-31 Nyala, are excellent at deflecting blasts with their V-shaped hulls, they do not offer as many configurations as the Vanguard. Compared to the Russian Typhoon-K, which can withstand blasts of up to 8 kg of TNT under the hull, the Vanguard provides slightly better protection, making it potentially more effective against larger IEDs.
Regarding ballistic protection, the Vanguard is equipped with STANAG Level 3 armor, which protects against 7.62 x 51 mm armor-piercing rounds fired from 30 meters at velocities of up to 930 meters per second. This is similar to vehicles like the RG-31 Nyala and the Dingo, both recognized for their survivability in hostile environments. However, the Dingo, while known for its performance in battlefields such as Afghanistan, has a higher center of gravity, making it more prone to rollovers during sharp maneuvers.
Inside, the Vanguard offers enough space for two crew members and eight passengers. Unlike the International M1224 MaxxPro, which is primarily designed for troop transport, the Vanguard can function as an infantry fighting vehicle, armored personnel carrier, border patrol vehicle, military field ambulance, or command vehicle. This versatility allows it to adapt to various mission requirements while maintaining high standards of protection and performance.
Milkor has also integrated a range of systems to enhance the Vanguard’s adaptability. Its weapon systems include manned turrets, remote stations, and smoke launchers, similar to Russian MRAPs like the Typhoon-U and Typhoon-K. Additionally, in its medical support configuration, the vehicle can be outfitted with systems for providing care during evacuations. However, the Vanguard features additional electronic warfare capabilities, such as jammers and signal intelligence (SIGINT) systems, which are not standard on Russian vehicles. These features may give it an operational advantage by disrupting enemy communications.
Under the hood, the Vanguard is powered by a 336 kW (450 hp) engine, allowing it to ford water up to 500 mm deep and navigate gradients up to 60%, as well as side slopes up to 35%. It also features an approach angle of 31 degrees and a departure angle of 45 degrees, enhancing its off-road maneuverability. The vehicle has a gross vehicle mass of 19,500 kg and a tare mass of 15,500 kg, giving it a power-to-weight ratio of 22 kW (29 hp) per ton. The Vanguard can reach a top speed of 100 km/h, cross trenches up to 1 meter wide, and has an operational range of 900 km, making it suitable for extended missions or emergency situations.
While the Vanguard’s range is slightly shorter than the Russian Typhoon-K, which has a range of up to 1,200 km, its approach and departure angles, combined with its power-to-weight ratio, give it an advantage in rough terrain, where heavier vehicles like the Typhoon-K may face more limitations.
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