| 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.
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]
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]