During the VUKUHLOME 2023, A South African army military exercise on November 22, 2023, the South African company SVI Engineering showcased for the first time its new MAX 3 wheeled armored vehicle in self-propelled mortar carrier at the South African Army Combat Training Centre in Lohatla, Northern Cape. This vehicle is fitted with the Thales Scorpion 81mm mortar system.
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The new SVI Max 3 armored vehicle in mortar carrier version is equipped with the Thales Scorpion 81mm mortar system. (Picture source Twitter Mupper2)
The prestigious "Defence Web," a South African online magazine, reported in September 2023 that an undisclosed African nation had placed the inaugural order for SVI’s innovative six-wheeled MAX 3 armored vehicle, configured as a cargo variant. The vehicle was unveiled at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) exhibition in Pretoria in September 2022. The design cleverly integrates Toyota’s robust Land Cruiser 79 chassis, similar to its 4×4 counterpart. Both models boast a 4.5-litre V8 turbodiesel engine, achieving a top speed of 140 km/h. The six-wheel version, based on the MAX 3 double cab body style, also offers new axle configurations applicable to the MAX 3 single cab and the MAX 3 armored personnel carrier.
The introduction of a third axle significantly enhances the MAX 3’s Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM), now capable of reaching 5,500 kg, up from 3,800 kg. This expansion paves the way for a myriad of military and security applications, ranging from weapon systems to cargo transport and even field ambulance configurations. The vehicle’s total payload capacity has also increased to 1,500 kg.
A notable feature of the MAX 3 mortar carrier is the integration of the Thales Scorpion 81 mm automated mortar system. This system is compatible with refurbished SANDF (South African National Defence Force) mortar bombs, courtesy of Rheinmetall Denel Munition. The vehicle's design includes an enclosed four-seat cabin at the front, while the rear section houses the advanced Thales Scorpion 81mm mortar system. This system, a hallmark of modern military technology, offers automated, precise, and rapid mortar deployment. It enables target acquisition, onboard fire control, and automatic mortar tube laying.
The Scorpion mortar system, mounted on a palletized platform, can initiate firing in under 15 seconds from the vehicle's rear, a feat made possible through advanced ballistics calculations and recoil absorption techniques. It excels in both direct and indirect fire capacities, ensuring high accuracy and responsiveness under both day and night conditions. Its digital connectivity to the battlefield further enhances its operational effectiveness, ensuring high first-round hit probability and rapid target switching capabilities. This development represents a significant leap forward in South African military technology and showcases the country's growing prowess in the global defense industry.
Defense News November 2023
