The Portuguese company Pinhol SA is developing a 4×4 mine resistant ambush protected vehicle (MRAP). The vehicle will be fitted with a COTS chassis coming from a Brazilian automotive manufacturer and will be trialed in Brazil in current 2012.

It has a combat weight of 13000 kg, a top speed of 120 km/h and a maximum range of 1500 km. The propulsion consists of a 480hp diesel engine which is coupled to a 7-speed (6 plus one reverse) automatic gearbox.

The vehicle made with SSAB ARMOX steel can be equipped with armoured add-on, slat armour, NBC protection system, climate control system, communication system, a protected manned weapon station or a remote weapon station. The hull feature several ports for light machine guns and protected windows around the hull and a windshield protected by a mesh. The crew is composed by the driver, commander and 9 fully equipped soldiers. The design is available in different configurations.

The company has also developed the Puma airborne multi-purpose lightweight mine-protected vehicle which has a combat weight of 3500 kg, a top speed of 140 km/h, a maximum range of 1000 km and a load capacity of 1500 kg. It includes a front winch from Warn Industries, two mounts for machine guns and space to transport seven troops or cargo.

The company proposes as well as 4×4 special operations vehicle based in the Land Rover Defender 130 Td4 chassis. 13 vehicles were delivered to the Portuguese Army. The company is expected to sign a contract with an Eastern Europe country for the supply of important quantities of special operations vehicles.

Pinhol SA supplied in the past 21 AM General M1025A2 (upgraded by Plasan Sasa with the APK protection kit) and 13 M1151A2 HMMWV (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle) wheeled vehicles to the Portuguese Army and as well as three M1165A1 W/B3 to the Portuguese Air Force which were fitted with a slat armour system developed in house.

Future´s plans include the development by the company of 6×6 and 8×8 wheeled armoured vehicles.

(Portuguese Army).