UniAVALON or simply Avalon is a Sri Lankan 6×6 wheeled MRAP-type heavy armored personnel carrier manufactured by Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (SLEME).

Avalon
TypeArmoured personnel carrier
Place of origin Sri Lanka
Service history
In service2020 – present
Used by Sri Lanka Army
Production history
DesignerSri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
ManufacturerSri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
Unit costLKR 20 000 000 ($106400)
Produced2020 – present
VariantsCommand variant
Specifications
Mass19.8 t
Length8.4 m (27.56 ft)
Width2.5 m (8.2 ft)
Height3.5 m (11.5 ft)
Crew2 + 12 passengers

Armor6 mm steel and composite armour
EngineCummins ISBe 270 BS III water-cooled turbocharged Diesel engine
280 hp
Suspension6×6 wheeled

Design

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Avalon is a 6x6 Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected/Command vehicle with space for 12 troops and a crew of 2. It is capable of electronic warfare and gathering intelligence with real-time information from any terrain with a variety of cameras, drones and jammers. It is also equipped with newer blast protection seats developed jointly with the Moratuwa University.[1][2]

It is designed to operate in the sandy terrain in Mali and is heavily armored with a V-shaped crew compartment and flat regions of the body are covered in slat armour giving the vehicle protection against IED explosions, small arms attacks and RPGs. It can also be synced with a command center that allows the ground commander to monitor the surroundings using 360 degree cameras, and can launch short/medium ranged drones to maintain real-time visuals/communications with base commander.[3]

External media
Images
  Avalon MPV with Slat armour
  Command variant front
  Command variant rear
Video
  Army's new workshop with hardware products and heavy vehicles

Production history

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The first batch of 12 vehicles were initially scheduled for delivery in June 2019 for the Sri Lanka Army contingent for the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali.[1] But the official unveiling was done in December 2020 during the opening of the new SLEME Workshop in Kosgama.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b New locally made MPV better at withstanding mines: SLEME
  2. ^ a b "SLEME's Biggest New Base Workshop Inaugurated & New Innovations Impress the Day's Chief Guest | Sri Lanka Army". www.army.lk. Retrieved 2020-12-14.
  3. ^ "ශ්‍රී ලංකා රණවිරුවන් නිපද වූ සුපිරි මෝටර් රථ - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2021-02-04.