# Armormax Defence Unveils the TAC-6: A New Class of Light Armoured Tactical Vehicle

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2024/04/armormax-defence-unveils-the-tac-6-a-new-class-of-light-armoured-tactical-vehicle/
- Published: 2024-04-20T09:20:39+01:00
- Author: Sarah Lesedi

Johannesburg-based Armormax Defence has officially launched the TAC-6, a 6×6 multi-
purpose vehicle that promises to redefine the standards of agility and versatility
in both civil and military applications. Originally developed for the French Special
Forces, the TAC-6 is now poised to serve a wide array of roles, from firefighting
to acting as a weapons carrier.

The TAC-6 is built upon the robust Land Cruiser 79 series, but it has undergone 
such extensive reengineering that it stands as a significantly more capable machine.
The addition of an extra axle not only enhances its offroad agility but also increases
its payload capacity to a gross vehicle mass of up to seven tons. Armormax Defence
emphasizes that the TAC-6 is over-engineered to guarantee reliability in the most
unforgiving environments where failure is not an option.

![](https://www.military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/20240420_105143.jpg)

![](https://www.military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/20240420_105138.jpg)

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jpg)

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Michael Broom, Manager of Sales & Marketing at Armormax revealed that the TAC-6’
s development was self-funded and initially catered to the French Special Forces
before the Covid-19 pandemic caused interruptions. The vehicle’s design is a significant
evolution of the 6×6 Land Cruiser variants previously manufactured in South Africa,
with notable contributions from Hansie Coetzee of Commander Defence Systems.

A standout feature of the TAC-6 is its OEM-spec eight-speed automatic transmission,
developed and homologated by ZF in South Africa and Germany exclusively for this
vehicle. This transmission, a departure from the initial manual gearboxes, was chosen
to ensure optimal performance in high GVM off-roading conditions.

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The TAC-6 boasts the ZF 8HP90 transmission, a core component purpose-built for the
vehicle, which remarkably took only nine months to develop. Broom highlighted the
vehicle’s comprehensive over-engineering, including the use of gear drives instead
of chain drives for the transfer case, which is crafted from aircraft-grade aluminium
for maximum strength. Additionally, the TAC-6 employs heavy-duty DANA drive shafts
and other standard OEM components to facilitate field servicing and minimize downtime.

With its reinforced design, the TAC-6 can carry a payload of up to 4,400 kg and 
tow substantial loads. Its mobility is touted as surpassing any full-sized 4-ton
truck currently available, a claim backed by over 250,000 km of rigorous testing
in various terrains across Africa and Europe.

The TAC-6 is offered in single cab and double cab configurations, serving as a base
for numerous modular units tailored for diverse missions. These include personnel
carriers, weapons platforms, field workshops, and even water purification plants.
Armormax Defence has already produced several versions of the TAC-6 and is working
on an armoured personnel carrier variant, among others.

![](https://www.military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/To_The_Point_International_Gunslinger_Guy_Martin-
696x509-1.webp)

To The Point International’s Gunslinger turret on the TAC-6. (Credit: _defenceWeb_)

In terms of protection, Armormax offers various armour packages for the TAC-6, including
STANAG Level I vehicle armour capable of stopping shell fragments and bullets from
7.62 mm and 5.56 mm firearms. The vehicle employs lightweight armour and 40 mm ballistic
glass to replace the original windows.

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The TAC-6 is marketed both within South Africa and internationally, with Armormax
Defence identifying a larger market potential overseas due to the abundance of defence
contracts. However, a secondary civilian and agricultural market is also anticipated
locally.

The TAC-6 is designed for military deployment, including transport in a standard
20-foot ISO shipping container for ease and discretion. It can be equipped with 
a range of weapons, from light machineguns to anti-tank missiles, and has been tested
with various weapon stations and turrets.

Stability is a crucial factor for both on and off-road operations, and the TAC-6
platform has harnessed the power of a third axle to deliver unrivalled stability
under heavy loads. This ingenious design eliminates the need for heavy-duty anti-
sway bars, allowing the axles to articulate freely and maintain optimal traction
on challenging terrains. Off-road, the platform’s chassis remains flatter, reducing
roll and ensuring maximum stability, even in the most demanding situations. On-road,
corners and crosswinds are handled with ease, as the third axle minimizes chassis
roll, providing an unwavering and secure driving experience.

As Armormax Defence prepares for the Africa Aerospace and Defence exhibition in 
September.

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The cost of the base conversion for a manual gearbox starts at R1.5 million (excluding
the base vehicle itself) while armouring options for STANAG Level 1 start at R850,000(
$44,551.83) and a lightweight, discreet armouring package starts at R880,000 ($45,608.10)
or R1.3 million ($67,375.60) for B4 and B6 levels of armour respectively. Multiple-
vehicle orders reduce the production costs and timeline significantly and will result
in a retail pricing reduction, Armormax Defence pointed out.

The ZF eight speed automatic gearbox can also be sold and fitted separately to any
Land Cruiser 79 4.5 litre diesel V8 at a cost of R440,000 ($22,804.05).

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