Paramount Land Systems, a subsidiary of aerospace and defence group Paramount, reports that 50% of the newly announced Maatla 4x4 light-protected vehicle (LPV) contracts have already been completed with deliveries underway to customer countries.

The new multirole Maatla – meaning power in Setswana – was launched at this year’s African Aerospace and Defence Exhibition in September – an event where Paramount announced the first Maatla contracts for 50 vehicles.

Paramount International senior VP Eric Ichikowitz says the immediate reaction and global demand for the Maatla LPV, in a highly competitive marketplace, is a testament to Paramount’s commitment to mission-survivability and vehicle performance, while addressing the requirements of customers.

“For over two decades, we have leveraged and championed ground-breaking innovations in armoured vehicle design and manufacture. The Maatla is a product of working closely with our customers to find solutions to their unique challenges,” he says.

In the matter of a few months, Ichikowitz says, the company has “unveiled a new vehicle, secured orders and now deliveries to customers are in full swing”.

The Maatla has been designed to address the increasing demand for lighter weight vehicles, while offering advanced capabilities and reconfigurability in the field.

Given immediate interest for the Maatla’s capabilities from various countries, each with diverse requirements, Paramount plans to manufacture and deploy new Maatla variants, with a focus on conducting a range of missions, such as command and control; chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear detection; police and ambulatory; reconnaissance and recovery; and border patrol.

The Maatla has been manufactured on a commercial vehicle chassis, capable of operating in various terrains.

The vehicle is fitted with a two-speed transfer case and three differential locks, enabling the vehicle to negotiate obstacles in difficult territories.

Its Smart Floor technology further enables the Maatla’s seating to be quickly removed and the vehicle to be configured for alternative mission requirements, with day/night vision devices and extra sensors able to be fitted to provide 24/7 operability.

The Maatla provides as a minimum, ballistic and blast protections to North Atlantic Treaty Organisation-compliant STANAG 4569 Level 1, and can protect against handguns and other small calibre ball rounds. The vehicle also offers underbelly protection against M26 hand grenades or a blast equivalent.

The Maatla can reach a road speed of up to 100 km/h, with a cruising range of up to 600 km when traveling at 80 km/h, and a fording depth of up to 750 mm without preparation.

The vehicle can be operated in extreme environments, with temperatures ranging from -10 ^oC to 55 ^oC, also without any preparation.

Paramount Land Systems CEO Deon Grobler says the company’s “innovative techniques in manufacturing the Maatla LPV are driving the tempo of customer delivery, which is mission critical, given the ever changing and asymmetrical environment which many countries and their armed forces find themselves in”.