08 July 2020
Madagascar Armed Forces field new armoured vehicles
by Erwan de Cherisey
The Armed Forces of Madagascar (Tafika Malagasy) displayed their new light armoured vehicles during the 26 June military parade in Antananarivo that commemorated the 60 th anniversary of the country’s independence.
A Panthera T4 deployed in Antananarivo for Covid-19-related security duties in early July. (Ministry of Defence of Madagascar)
At least six Minerva Special Purpose Vehicles (MSPV) Panthera T4 armoured personnel carriers (APC) participated in the parade with detachments from the army’s Motorized Infantry Battalion, Light Reconnaissance Battalion, and Armoured Support Battalion.
The Panthera T4 is a 4×4 vehicle built on a Toyota Land Cruiser series 79 chassis that has a fully armoured cabin housing a driver and three passengers, including a machine-gunner. It has a rear bed with seating for additional dismounts, who are protected by side-mounted armoured panels. This space can be used to transport cargo once the benches are removed.
According to MSPV, the vehicle’s armour offers CEN1063 BR7 or STANAG Level II protection. It can be powered by a 4.5 litre V8 diesel, 4.2 litre six-cylinder diesel, or 4 litre V6 petrol engines. It is not known which powerplant was chosen by Madagascar.
The T6 version of the Panthera series is in service with Cameroon’s Rapid Intervention Battalions and the Egyptian Army.
The Tafika Malagasy also paraded a dozen armoured Land Cruisers with its Light Reconnaissance Battalion, Multi-Mission Battalion, and Armoured Support Battalion. The air force’s motorised contingent and the navy’s Marine Infantry Battalion column also included several examples.
The vehicles had fully armoured cabins that appeared to have room for the driver and three passengers, with a protected weapon station fitted on top. They had unprotected rear beds with seats for four dismounts.
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The Armed Forces of Madagascar (Tafika Malagasy) displayed their new light armoured vehicles during ...
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