Minerva Special Purpose Vehicles (MSPV) specialises in light-armoured vehicles for both tactical and non-tactical military applications.
The company’s wide product range includes armoured sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and sedans, customised trucks, buses and vans, as well as tactical vehicles for the military, border control, civil defence and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Tactical and protection vehicles for the military sector
MSPV’s tactical and specialised vehicles cover military solutions (armoured personnel carriers, troopers, mobile command-and-control and more), homeland protection (border control, riot-control, monitoring), ambulances and civil protection.
The company’s buses range from ten-seater minibuses to full-size passenger buses and coaches. SUVs and sedans are available for VIP protection, transport of valuables, convoy escort, police operations, and all other applications where safety, mobility and discretion are required.
Special projects include construction in areas under threat or at risk from leftover explosives.
Protected mobility vehicles for civilian and military applications
MSPV’s Panthera range of vehicles is continuously expanded to ensure that the company offers a solution for every protected mobility requirement of military and civilian authorities.
The Panthera series includes armoured personnel carriers of various sizes, from 6t to 23t gross vehicle weight (GVW), command and control vehicles, fast-response light armoured vehicles and light patrol vehicles.
Protection levels for armoured cars cover a wide spectrum of threats, from Germany’s Vereinigung der Prüfstellen für angriffs-hemmende Materialien und Konstruktionen (VPAM) APR2006 level 6, to Nato’s STANAG 4569 level 3, with more to come.
The Panthera T-6, which is based on the Toyota 79-series 4×4 chassis, is suitable for urban and cross-country patrol, border security and personnel movement situations (APC) for driver and commander, in addition to up to six troops with space for mission equipment. The T-6 is available in various body configurations and offers protection against assault rifles to levels CEN1063/1522 BR6/FB6 or BR7/FB7, and against the explosion of two DM51 hand grenades under the floor.
The Panthera T-4 is based on the Toyota 79-Series platform, and a smaller vehicle favouring agility off-road. It can carry driver and commander, as well as four troops, and defend against light assault rifles and improvised explosive device (IED) attacks. Protection level CEN1063/1522 BR6/FB6 – NIJ III.
The Panthera T-2 is another variant of the original Panthera for limited-crew missions, where high levels of protection and mobility are needed. It can carry a four-man crew with protection up to STANAG 4562 level 2 (kinetic) or CEN1063/1522 BR7/FB7. It can be fitted with a 360° traverse ring-mount and protected cupola, as well as a variety of mission systems, and has storage space for fuel containers and ammunition boxes.
The first light-armoured troop carrier from MSPV available with automatic transmission, the Panthera N-6 is based on the Nissan Patrol platform, and can carry driver and commander and up to six troops. It is offered in CEN1063/1522 BR6/FB6 – NIJ III protection level.
The Panthera K-14 and K-10CMD mine-protected vehicles are adapted for a wide range of heavy-duty off-road platforms. They are designed according to specific requirements, and customised to the local parts and service availability for the chassis. A central tire-inflation system (CTIS), blast-mitigating seats and floor systems are also offered. Protection ranges from STANAG 4569 levels 1 to 4.
The Panthera K-24 is a 6×6 version of the K-14 for increased crew capacity and payload.
Lightweight patrol vehicles
MSPV’s lightweight patrol vehicles (LPV) are available based on either the Jeep JK or J8 (LPV-J) or the Land Cruiser 79-Series (LPV-T) and designed to meet a variety of mission requirements with high reliability and ease of maintenance. The LPV can be configured for applications such as surveillance, border patrol or rapid reaction.
The base-vehicle is modified to increase the off-road capabilities and maximise the payload depending on the chosen configuration. The roll-cage provides protection to the vehicle and its occupants when moving obstacles or in case of an accident. It also provides support for additional equipment and accessories, including weapon-mounts, cargo racks and sand-ladders.
The LPV-J is available as a five-man, four-door vehicle with rear access for the rear-facing gunner, or a three-man two-door vehicle. The LPV-T can carry up to nine personnel. Both are also available in fully stripped-down, open configurations or with partial armouring to afford a level of protection to the troops.
Armoured civilian vehicles
MSPV’s civilian range of armoured vehicles includes SUVs and sedans such as the:
- Toyota Land Cruiser and Fortuner
- Nissan Patrol
- Chevrolet Suburban / GMC Yukon
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Range Rover
- Toyota Camry and Avalon
- Peugeot 508
Buses and minivans are available too, such as the Ashok Leyland Falcon, the Toyota Coaster or the GMC Savana.
MSPV also offers a variety of armoured valuables transport vehicles (CIT and bullion trucks), armoured ambulances and special vehicles for specific circumstances, such as earth-moving equipment protected to STANAG 4569 level 2 for areas where land mines and unexploded devices may be present.