By Erich Saumeth
The Ecuadorian Army has awarded Elbit Systems a contract valued at US$65 million for the purchase of 137 armored vehicles of the types 4×4 MDT Armor Tiger MKII, of Israeli origin, and 6×6 Paramount Group MBombe, of South African origin.
Under the agreement, which will be executed over a period of two and a half years, Elbit Systems will supply the first fully networked mechanized brigade solution to Ecuador as part of its army-wide modernization program.
The armored vehicles will be equipped with an E-LynX software-defined radio mobile network solution, a suite of battle management applications, and the Magni vertical take-off and landing mini UAS.
“We are witnessing a growing recognition by the military of the need to acquire the capability to conduct interoperable operations.”
“This contract award further validates the leadership position we hold in the growing area of networked combat warfare,” maintained Haim Delmar, general manager of Elbit Systems C4I & Cyber.
TIGER MKII AND MBOMBE
The Tiger is a 4×4 model, developed from a Ford F550 or a Dodge RAM 5.7 chassis, with capacity for eight to 12 crew members (depending on the version), with five doors and a weapons station for the attachment of machine guns or grenade launchers.
The Mbombe, on the other hand, is a 6×6, which has the capacity to transport up to 11 troops, protected by a STANAG 4569 level 4 armor, which allows it – according to its manufacturer – to resist impacts and waves of up to 10 kilograms of AEI TNT and rocket-propelled grenades of up to 50 kilograms at distances of five meters.
DEPLOYMENT
Ecuador plans to deploy the new vehicles particularly on its northern border, an area affected by the constant presence of Colombian organized armed groups, dissidents and FARC relapses.
In this regard, General Gustavo Acosta, commander of this force, explained that the armored vehicles “have protection against mines, which we have recently found planted on the northern border, which cause a lot of damage, but with these vehicles we will have greater security, and we will also be able to enter more places.”
A mechanized cavalry brigade will be created for the new armored fleet, which will have its operations center in the province of Manabí, from where surveillance and control operations will be carried out.
With information from Infodefensa