"The New Generation Casspir 2000 sets new standards in protection, power, manoeuvrability and comfort for crew and passengers. It even includes air-conditioning as a standard feature," claims Ashley Williams, general manager of Denel Mechem, which designs and manufactures the vehicle.
"It has always been a world leader in its class - providing unparallel protection against landmines, roadside bombs and automatic rifle fire," he said.
"Now we have upgraded the hull protection by using higher quality steel, increased its power, improved the accessibility for passengers and mounted it on a more versatile and reliable vehicle platform," says Williams.
The Casspir is used by the United Nations, the SA National Defence Force, private security companies and police services for demining or military operations in places such as Afghanistan and Mozambique.
Denel Mechem is a world leader in the mine-action services and the battle-clearance industry. The new generation 2000 model will provide its users with new options and increased protection. The Casspir has been in production since 1979.
There are two versions of the Casspir NG (new generation) 2000 - one mounted on a Mercedes Benz drive train and the 2000B using a Powerstar engine. Both versions feature an upgraded steel hull meeting the current industry standards of protection.
Jack Geldenhuys, Mechem's manager for vehicle systems says the new vehicle features side doors for the driver and crew and an improved back-door design for troops or passengers needing enter and exit during operations.
Geldenhuys says a key feature of the Casspir is its modular design, which gives it an unrivalled level of versatility. At the Denel Mechem production facilities in Lyttelton outside Tshwane, the vehicle can be modified and adapted to meet the individual requirements of the client.
Thus the vehicle can play a conventional role as mine-resistant troop carrier but can be adapted to become a field ambulance, a command-and-control vehicle, a recovery vehicle or a light transport vehicle. All variants are fitted with run-flat tyres and are available in 6X6 or 4X4 format and with a choice of manual or automatic transmission.
It has a cruising speed of 100km/h on roads and up to 40km/h on most off-road conditions with a range of up to 800km using its standard fuel tank. It is designed to withstand the blast of 14kg of explosives under each wheel - which is more than can be delivered by two landmines.
Geldenhuys says the decision to standardise the engine and drive train makes the Casspir a cost-effective solution for the international agencies and defence forces because of the potential savings on maintenance costs, spare parts and logistics.
