02nd February 2022 10:36:31 Hours
Mechanically and technically qualified troops of the Sri Lanka Electrical & Mechanical and Engineers (SLEME) Regiment who manufactured a state-of-the-art Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected Vehicle (MRAPV), 'Unicob ' that corresponds to guidelines, set out in the Army's 'Way Forward Strategy 2020-2025' on Monday (31) brought their new product of international standards to the Army HQ, making its debut in the presence of the Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, General Shavendra Silva before it is exhbited in the Independence Day parade.
The new sixcylinder Diesel Unicob- MRAP Vehicle that stands a monumental tribute to creative and manufacturing prowess of SLEME workforce has been produced by using discarded engines, scrap and chassis which were earlier used by the Army, and the maufacture of this Unicob- MRAP Vehicle would inevitably enhance armoured capabilities of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps under the light armoured vehicle category.
After carefully inspecting the new vehicle, General Shavendra Silva inquired into its mechanical and engineering aspects, feasibility for tough terrains, possibilities for mass production for overseas markets, operational abilities, and commended SLEME troops for their hard work, expertise and creative abilities.The project was uninterruptedly encouraged, supported, and guided by Major General Indu Samarakoon, Colonel Commandant of Sri Lanka Electrical & Mechanical and Engineers and Army Logistic Commander, together with guidelines given by Major General Swarna Bothota, General Officer Commanding, 61 Division, Colonel Commandant of Sri Lanka Armoured Corps, Brigadier Deepal Hathurusinghe, Director of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and Brigadier Anil Peiris, Commander, Armoured Brigade.
The locally-manufactured Unicob- MRAP Vehicle consists of many features, including capacity for 9 combat soldiers inside it with 12.7 Machine Gun, High Mobility on/off road with 4 x 4 all wheeled drive, All direction surveillance system with vehicle-mounted cameras, Field to command real-time monitoring capabilities with camera system and GPS tracking, Long distance communication capability, Less maintenance costs with locally available spares, Less production Cost, compared to imported Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), Air conditioned cabin, etc. The whole cost of its producion stands at Rs 10 million, relatively a very low cost, compared to importation.
The SLEME troops who have made a significant contribution by manufacturing armoured vehicles, Unibuffels (the improvised version of Unicorn) in recent years for the Army's overseas UN missions have already despatched more than 65 such vehicles to Mali where Army troops are deployed, thus saving foreign exchange for the country. The SLEME as per instructions of the Army Chief expects to produce more of those new Unicob- MRAP Vehicles, designed for overseas assignments as it did in the past too.
Few senior Officers, Major General Vikum Liyanage, Chief of Staff,Major General Jagath Kodithuwakku, Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General Indu Samarakoon, Logistic Commander and Colonel Commandant of SLEME, joined the event.
