TSAMTO, June 28th. Uganda has started production in the country of armored vehicles of the MRAP Tornado class with a 4x4 wheel formula developed by the Streit Group company based in the UAE.
As it reminds Armyrecognition.com For the first time, the partnership between the Ugandan National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) and the Emirati Streit Group was announced at the end of 2021, and a year later, on July 27, 2022, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni opened a joint production enterprise NEC-Streit Uganda Ltd. in Nakasongola (near Lake Kyoga), created by National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), the commercial arm of the Uganda People's Defense Forces, and Streit Group, one of the world's largest manufacturers of armored vehicles.
The new plant is a full-fledged manufacturing enterprise that performs not only the final assembly of products. In addition to armored vehicles, Streit Group also plans to launch the production of unmanned aerial vehicles, communications equipment, armored boats in Uganda, as well as develop cybersecurity systems. The new joint venture, in addition to developing Uganda's defense sector, will support projects in healthcare and industry, as well as the railway industry.
The new plant was built by NEC Construction Works and Engineering Ltd and produces armored vehicles for both military and civilian purposes for the Ugandan Armed Forces, police and regional authorities. The venture is expected to significantly reduce Uganda's dependence on imported armored vehicles, contributing to economic self-sufficiency and technological progress.
Recall that Uganda has long been committed to the development of the local defense industry. In August 2018, the NEC factory for the production and assembly of armored vehicles in Maga Maga was officially opened. The company's first product was the Nyoka armored personnel carrier, based on the Mamba armored vehicle of the South African company Twiga Services and Logistics, operating in Uganda through its subsidiary Impala Services and Logistics.
In October 2021, the Uganda People's Defense Forces ordered a batch of locally produced BMP "Chui" (Chui), based on the newly released "Nyati" (Nyati) of the South African Twiga.
The Tornado 4x4 armored vehicle with mine protection (MRAP class) has a steel monocoque body with a V–shaped bottom, the armor protection of which corresponds to the STANAG 4569 Level standard.3. Conceptually, it is similar to the Typhoon armored car, another project of the Streit Group, has the same design and level of protection.
The standard seating configuration includes seats for the driver, commander, gunner and seats for eight fighters. Designed in the basic version as an armored personnel carrier, the Tornado 4x4 can also be used to protect military convoys, border patrol, counterinsurgency operations, medical evacuation, command and control, or as an advanced observation post.
Streit Group is one of the largest manufacturers of armored vehicles in the world. The company's product range includes armored personnel carriers, collection vehicles, high-comfort and safety vehicles. The company has 12 manufacturing plants and 25 offices worldwide.
NEC State Corporation is the commercial arm of the Uganda People's Defence Force (Armed Forces). The company was established in 1989 by a decision of the Parliament.
