Nigerian Airforce Acquires Marauder Mine-resistant Armoured Vehicles

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has received an undisclosed number of Marauder mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles from South African-based global defence and aerospace company, Paramount Group.

The move comes as Nigeria is bolstering its efforts to effectively tackle a wide range of threats posed by various terrorist and extremist groups.

Speaking on the partnership, the senior Vice President of Paramount Group, Eric Ichikowitz, stated that:

“We are privileged to work alongside the Nigerian Air Force, commending, through the acquisition and deployment of the Marauder, their continued commitment to enhancing their continued commitment to enhancing their national defence and internal security capabilities and prowess”

“Nigeria’s Government also understands not only the leadership role they play in international peace keeping missions across the ECOWAS, but indeed how to effectively address the evolutionary nature of those Cross-regional challenges posed by threats such as organized Insurgences.

Each of the new 15-tonne 4×4 Marauder vehicles is equipped with a King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB) Snake Head protected weapons station and a 7.62 mm machine gun.

It can be reconfigured as either a troop carrier or combat vehicle. It can carry a crew of up to ten including the driver and commander.

The Marauder’s payload capacity allows for the fitting of various defence and weapons systems, including light and medium-calibre machine guns, cannon weapon installations, and missile launchers, as well as command, surveillance, and control systems.

It has a cruising speed of around 100 to 120 km/h (62–75 mph) over challenging terrains, and a maximum range of 700 kilometres (430 miles).

The basic Marauder Armoured vehicle starts at $485,000 (₦175 million) .