On October 19, 2023, the Congolese National Police enhanced its tactical operations with the recent acquisition of 15 Maatla armored personnel carriers. Manufactured by the South African defense group, Paramount Group, these vehicles were welcomed during a ceremony in Kinshasa on October 19th, marking a significant upgrade to the force’s mobility and response capabilities.
The Maatla, built on a commercial vehicle chassis, is designed for optimal reliability and performance across the challenges in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its adaptability is one of its most interesting features, capable of accommodating nine crew members and equipped with “Smart Floor” technology. This innovation allows for quick reconfiguration of the vehicle’s interior to serve various mission profiles – from an ambulance to a command center, or for roles in border patrol, military support, and peacekeeping.
It offers ballistic and blast resistance to STANAG 4569 Level 1, ensuring the safety of the crew against small arms fire and hand grenade blasts. The underbelly protection is specifically designed to withstand the detonation of M26 hand grenades, providing additional security for personnel operating in conflict-prone areas.