Ezugwu MRAP
| Ezugwu MRAP | |
|---|---|
| Type | Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle |
| Place of origin | Nigeria |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2019-Present |
| Used by | Nigerian Armed Forces |
| Wars | Boko Haram insurgency |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Command Engineering Depot |
| Manufacturer | Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria |
| Produced | 2019-Present |
| References | [1][2] |
The Ezugwu MRAP is a Nigerian-made mine resistance and ambush protected vehicle (MRAP), designed by the Nigerian Defence Industry of Nigeria (DICON) and the Command Engineering Depot (CED).[3][4][5]
Named after Major General Victor Ezugwu,[3] the Ezugwu MRAP is designed to replace obsolete combat vehicles in the Nigerian Army's inventory.
History
First unveiled in September 2019, earlier versions feature a double enclosed turret that can traverse 360 degrees, allowing for versatile weapon deployment, including a 12.7 mm machine gun.[6][7]
The first batch of 28 Ezugwus was ordered in November 2019,[8] and a follow up purchase of 52 units was made by the Nigerian Army on January 2021.[9]
In 2021, DICON presented photographs of a new version of the Ezugwu. This was a 6x6 vehicle with one turret and a normal windscreen.[10]
Design
The Ezugwu MRAP is specifically engineered to withstand improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and mine blasts up to 12 kg under the vehicle.[11] It uses a Tatra 4x4 chassis for the vehicle.[10]
The MRAP can carry up to 12 people, consisting of a commander, driver, two gunners and eight soldiers.[10]
It has undergone several iterations to reflect a more modern and practical MRAP design. The new design was unveiled at a Science and Technology EXPO in 2020 organized by the Federal Ministry of science and technology in Abuja.[11]
References
- ^ https://www.overtdefense.com/2019/11/18/nigerian-armed-forces-purchased-28-local-ezugwu-armored-vehicles/
- ^ https://www.africanmilitaryblog.com/2019/09/defence-industries-corporation-of-nigeria-dicon-unveils-ezugwu-mrap
- ^ a b Lionel, Ekene (2019-09-25). "Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) unveils Ezugwu MRAP". Military Africa. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ^ admin (2019-11-13). "Nigerian Army, DICON Sign Agreement For Production Of Ezugwu MRAP Vehicles". The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON). Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ^ Nwafor (2019-10-25). "Breaking: Nigerian Army to launch Armoured vehicle named 'EZUGWU MRAP'". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ^ "Major General Victor Ezugwu: Building Nigeria's First Indigenous Mine Resistant, Ambush Protected Armoured Carrier". thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ^ "Buhari tear rubber comot made-in-Nigeria armour vehicles for Kaduna". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ^ Lionel, Ekene (2019-11-13). "Nigerian Army orders twenty-eight Ezugwu MRAP". Military Africa. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ^ Lionel, Ekene (2021-01-08). "Nigerian Army orders 52 additional Ezugwu MRAP". Military Africa. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ^ a b c https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/nigerian-army-orders-another-52-ezugwu-armoured-vehicles/
- ^ a b "DICON, CED develops new Ezugwu MRAP variant". Military Africa. 2020-03-20. Retrieved 2025-01-05.