# SANDF boosts border security with SVI Max 3 armoured vehicles

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2024/02/sandf-boosts-border-security-with-svi-max-3-armoured-vehicles/
- Published: 2024-02-27T09:03:31+01:00
- Author: Sarah Lesedi

---

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has recently acquired six SVI MAX
3 armoured vehicles and various surveillance equipment to enhance its border security
operations. The vehicles and equipment are part of a multi-year plan to upgrade 
the SANDF’s capabilities and resources for border protection.

The six SVI MAX 3 armoured vehicles were delivered to the Joint Operations division
of the SANDF earlier this month. Two of them are 4×4 and four are six-wheeled versions,
fitted with rear cargo cabins on the loadbed. The six-wheeled version was displayed
for the first time at the Africa Aerospace and Defence exhibition in Pretoria in
September 2022.

Last September, SVI [announced](https://www.military.africa/2023/09/svi-secures-first-customer-for-max-3-armoured-vehicle/)
that an African nation has initiated the first order for SVI’s all-new six-wheeled
MAX 3 armored vehicle, marking the commencement of what SVI is confident will be
the first of numerous forthcoming contracts.

According to a report by South African-based _DefenceWeb_, SVI said these vehicles,
intended for non-military applications as general cargo carriers, have just begun
production at SVI’s factory east of Pretoria. The manufacturing process is scheduled
for completion by February of next year.

ADVERTISEMENT

The SVI MAX 3 is based on Toyota’s proven Land Cruiser 79 chassis and powered by
a 4.5-litre V8 turbodiesel engine, giving a top speed of 120 km/h and burst speed
of 140 km/h. The addition of a third axle on the six-wheeler increases the Gross
Vehicle Mass (GVM) to 6 000 kg, allowing for various military and security applications,
such as weapon systems, cargo carrying options and field ambulance configurations.
The vehicle also provides a minimum protection level of EN1063 BR6 (assault rifles)
with additional protection against anti-personnel grenades. The vehicle is upgradeable
to BR7.

ADVERTISEMENT

The SANDF did not disclose any further details about the vehicle and surveillance
equipment deliveries, but they are part of a larger budget allocation for border
security technology. Joint Operations has been given additional funding to assist
the 15 companies doing border patrol duties on South Africa’s borders. Some of the
high technology equipment to be procured or acquired include tactical radios, surveillance
equipment for land and sea applications, reliable communications systems, unmanned
aerial vehicles (UAVs), geographic information system (GIS) capability, intelligence
collection and processing capabilities, upgraded command and control system, radars,
observation posts and long range UAVs.

ADVERTISEMENT

The SANDF also plans to replace the ‘troop pack’ vehicles (currently Toyota Land
Cruisers) with off-the-shelf vehicles and armoured personnel carriers (APCs) in 
the next few years. The APCs would serve with all 15 companies on Operation Corona
duty and would have variable ballistic and mine protection, including the ability
to defeat an 8 kg mine. The APCs would replace or supplement the existing Mamba 
and Casspir vehicles.

The SANDF’s border security operations, known as Operation Corona, aim to combat
cross-border crimes such as illegal immigration, smuggling, poaching, human trafficking
and terrorism. The SANDF has deployed around 2 500 soldiers along the country’s 
borders with Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. The
SANDF also cooperates with the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Department
of Home Affairs and other law enforcement agencies to ensure effective border management
and security.

### _Related_