# Proforce unveils Ara 2 MRAP, begins production of 30 units for the Nigerian Army

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2018/12/proforce-unveils-ara-2-mrap-begins-production-of-30-units-for-the-nigerian-army/
- Published: 2018-12-25T11:39:20+01:00
- Author: Ekene Lionel

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    Proforce Ara 2 MRAP begins production.
    ```

Following the successful debut of the Ara (Thunder) Mine Resistant Ambush Protected(
MRAP), Proforce Limited is set to launch the PF Ara 2 MRAP in 2019.

The Ara 2 MRAP which means “Thunder” in the local dialect is a 4×4 Armored Personnel
Carrier, with thirty presently being produced for the Nigerian Army. Raymond Asare-
Sintim, the Business Development Executive at Proforce disclosed that foreign countries
have requested for another twenty. Although, the foreign countries were not revealed.

## Proforce Ara 2 MRAP

The PF Ara 2 is a monocoque vehicle built to STANAG level 4569 protection standards
with double skin protection of Level 3A and 3B, and an underbelly of 4A and 4B. 
This protection level ensures an underbelly with a V-shaped hull design that can
withstand a 10 kg mine.

The higher ground clearance of 442 mm and the central tyre inflation system enhances
the vehicle’s off-road capabilities and can take this vehicle to urban, mountainous
and challenging rural terrains, Proforce said.

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With the capacity to carry up to 12 personnel plus equipment, the PF Ara 2 can be
configured into multiple MRAP variants for a wide range of missions including recovery,
command and control, ambulance, field kitchen and reconnaissance.

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The Ara 2 has a length of 7.1 metres and height of 3.3 m, and gross weight of 15
tons. A 12.7 mm machinegun can be mounted on a 360 degree roof turret which can 
be open or fully enclosed. Optional equipment includes slat armour, gun ports and
grenade launchers as well as reactive armour, according to Proforce.

Proforce builds armoured personnel carriers (APCs), MRAPs, patrol boats, hard armour
plates, and ballistic helmet and vests. The company is diversifying into new areas
of the defence industry. These include manufacturing of communication devices in
collaboration with technical partners from Pakistan and manufacturing of unmanned
aerial vehicles (UAVs) in collaboration with a company from South Korea.

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In line with its localisation strategy, Proforce has embarked on a backward integration
strategy to produce its own ballistic steel and ballistic glass for its vehicles.
This will enable the company to achieve 70% local content on its vehicles.

Proforce was established in 2008, specializing in the manufacturing of armoured 
vehicles and personal protection. The company manufactures armoured tactical vehicles(
ATV), armoured personnel carriers, ballistic helmets and vests, armoured cash-in-
transit, armoured private and commercial passenger vehicles.

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