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PDF THINK TANK: CONSULTANT
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I dont want to go off topic with conspiracy theory discussions whether vested interests or whatever. The decision has been made very late not just for MRAP's but also forming the LCB's and upgrading the FC which encounters the brunt of the action. The troops have been upgrading the light vehicles/APC with steel plates and sand bags but still doesnt come upto the protection standard of a standard MRAP.No it is not a cumbersome task; there are too many vested interests at play. They should just have taken a decision to look into local or joint ventures for mineproof vehicles with paramount or even armscor or other vendors from SA. Instead, it is all about lining up selfinterest at the expense of lives.
With respect to humvees; they just belong in a GM dealership and not on battlefield. Even those i would not touch with a spagetti- plenty of surplus mambas are available for around rands 80,000.
The advantage that a HUMVEE has over a Hilux is that, out of the two, its better protected and carries lesser troops which means lesser casualties although fitted with same armament. Equipping all troops with Otokar Cobra type protected vehicle for any trip could have been better rather than Land Rover defenders and hiluxes. Even Mohafiz proved to be a disappointment at times. Stepping out into combat zones should have been purely in MRAPs.