Army-manufactured innovative Unicob - MRAPV unveiled
February 01, 2022Sri Lanka Army (SLA) has manufactured a Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected Vehicle (MRAPV), 'Unicob' which is built with a Diesel powered six cylinder engine.
The new vehicle conforming to international standards has been manufactured by the troops of Sri Lanka Electrical Mechanical and Engineering (SLEME) Regiment using discarded engines, scrap and chassis used by the Army, the SLA sources revealed.
The vehicle’s production cost of Rs. 10 million is relatively a very low budget, compared to importation.
Capacity for 9 combat soldiers with 12.7 Machine Gun, high mobility on/off road with 4x4 all wheeled drive, all direction surveillance system with vehicle-mounted cameras, field to command real-time monitoring capabilities with camera system and GPS tracking, long distance communication capability, less maintenance costs with locally available spares, less production cost, Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), air conditioned cabin, etc. are some of the features of the new production.
The new vehicle would inevitably enhance armoured capabilities of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps under the light armoured vehicle category and it will be exhibited at the Independence Day parade.
The project was carried out under the directions of SLEME Colonel Commandant and Army Logistic Commander Maj. Gen. Indu Samarakoon with the support of a number of senior officers, the SLA stated.
Chief of Defence Staff and Army Commander, Gen. Shavendra Silva inspected the vehicle with the Army Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Vikum Liyanage, Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics Commander and Colonel Commandant of SLEME at the SLA Headquarters yesterday (Jan 31).
The SLEME troops who have made a significant contribution by manufacturing armoured vehicles, Unibuffels in recent years for the Army's overseas UN missions have already dispatched more than 65 such vehicles to Mali where Army troops are deployed, thus saving foreign exchange for the country.
