LAGOS, Nigeria – July 30, 2024 – Nigerian defence manufacturer Proforce has introduced the PF Hulk, a new armoured vehicle designed for military troop and equipment transportation.
The mine-resistant, ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicle was revealed this week and boasts significant enhancements in protection and capacity.
The PF Hulk has a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 15 tons and meets NATO STANAG 4569 Level 3A/3B protection standards. This ensures defense against 8 kg anti-tank mines under any wheel or the vehicle’s center, 7.62×51 mm armour-piercing rounds, and 155 mm high explosive shells detonating within 60 meters.
Capable of transporting up to ten personnel, the PF Hulk supports the installation of weapon systems and specialized equipment. It can also tow various trailered systems. The vehicle is powered by a 360-horsepower engine with a five-speed mechanical transmission, providing a range of 1,000 kilometers.
Notably, the PF Hulk appears to be modeled after the Russian VPK-Ural/Spartak, initially revealed in 2019. This vehicle, based on a Ural truck chassis with a V-shaped hull, is designed to enhance protection against mines. The Spartak has been utilized by the Russian military and exported to Libya, with a notable order for 60 units announced in August 2020.
The introduction of the PF Hulk adds to Proforce’s expanding range of armoured vehicles. In July 2022, Proforce launched the PF Fury, a lightweight vehicle tailored for the Nigerian military’s infantry and Special Operations forces. The PF Viper, unveiled in 2021, is a lighter, faster, and more maneuverable version of the company’s Ara vehicle. Proforce’s flagship armoured personnel carrier (APC), the PF2, has been exported to Rwanda, the Central African Republic, and South Sudan for United Nations peacekeeping missions.
Domestically, the Nigerian Police Force, including Rivers State and Lagos State, has acquired several PF2 APCs. Proforce’s flagship MRAP, the Ara (Thunder), is also designed and manufactured in Nigeria.
Proforce continues to expand its product portfolio, encompassing land, air, and sea vehicles. This includes armoured Toyota Hilux vehicles, Special Combat Vehicles, armoured patrol boats, cash-in-transit vehicles, armoured SUVs, and armoured passenger buses.
As one of Nigeria’s leading armoured vehicle manufacturers, Proforce joins the ranks of companies like Equipment and Protective Applications International Limited (EPAIL), the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), and the Nigerian Army Vehicle Manufacturing Company (NAVMC), contributing to the nation’s growing defense capabilities.
