Patrol vehicle built for Nigeria police force

Vehicle-mounted mine detector original- equipment manufacturer DCD Protected Mobility launched a new type of mine-protected patrol vehicle last year, which will be built for the Nigeria Police Force’s (NPF’s) paramilitary units.

Named after a mythical Nigerian creature, the Ikri patrol vehicle was developed by DCD Protected Mobility and its Nigeria-based partner, Mekahog, in close cooperation with the NPF.

The Ikri patrol vehicle is based on DCD’s Springbuck protected all-terrain armoured personnel carrier (APC), which has been in service with the NPF since 2006.

While DCD has not confirmed when production on the Ikri will begin, the company highlights that it is poised to establish a military vehicle maintenance and repair facility in Nigeria, in collaboration with Mekahog.

Once the facility is established, the company will start the local assembly of Ikri kits and complete vehicles.

Compared with the basic Springbuck unit, the Ikri offers better protection, mobility and crew comfort.

It has a B6 level of ballistic protection – capable of stopping a 7.62 mm × 51 mm round at 10 m – which can be upgraded to a B7 level. Together with careful interior design, the Ikri’s V-shaped armoured hull protects the crew against a TM57 antitank mine, or similar charge, anywhere under the vehicle.

Specific upgrades for the Ikri include improved ballistic protection of the front grille, an armour enclosure around external air-conditioner components, enclosed reservoirs for the air brakes and protective plates for the axles.

The mobility upgrade features a 145 kW turbo-charged six-cylinder MWM diesel engine, six-speed automatic transmission, improved engine cooling, a 200 ℓ diesel tank, production system brakes manufactured by brake manufacturer and producer Akebono, and an upgraded suspension that provides better off-road mobility and greater crew comfort.

Other improvements include side doors for the driver and co-driver, revised driver controls, new flip-up seats for the ten passengers to ease ingress and egress, improved air-conditioning ducting for greater air flow, and tinted windows to reduce cabin heat and to make it difficult to see how many people are in the vehicle.