Armoured vehicle specialist SVI Engineering unveiled its new Toyota Land Cruiser 79 series six-wheeler Tactical Observation Vehicle at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2026 exhibition in Pretoria. The platform enables deployed crews to conduct long-duration missions with total operational independence while capturing and processing key battlefield intelligence.
Built on a Land Cruiser 79 Single Cab chassis, the vehicle utilizes SVI’s custom 6×4 or 6×6 drivetrain conversion to boost carrying capacity and improve off-road traction across rugged terrain. Clients can also specify field-proven Level B6 ballistic armouring, which protects occupants against assault rifle fire, including AK-47, R1 and R5 rounds. The rear bed holds a dedicated box body fitted with climate control, an 8 kW power inverter, a basic kitchen area and pre-wiring for an expanded solar photovoltaic system. Beyond surveillance roles, this configuration can be adapted to serve as a 6×6 battlefield ambulance.
Serving as a mobile Command and Control post, the vehicle integrates a long-range Hensoldt Bushbaby 200 electro-optical surveillance system alongside target-tracking radar from Reutech to detect ground and airborne threats. Fire control and tactical orchestration are managed by African Defence Systems’ AS4000 platform, designed to coordinate indirect-fire assets across a digital network. This architecture directly links field commanders, observers and launcher systems, while offering open interfaces for digital tactical radios, muzzle-velocity sensors, meteorological stations, inertial navigation devices and external optical sensors.
SVI maintained a significant presence across AAD 2026, displaying its MAX 3 and MAX 9 armoured personnel carriers, the MAX Recon 6×6 rapid deployment vehicle and a military-grade MAX SWAT variant recently adopted by the City of Cape Town Metro Police. On the commercial side, SVI highlighted its Jeep Gladiator Maximus 6×6 conversion developed alongside sister firm Ulterio Motiv.
The manufacturer also presented an ultra-luxurious B6-armoured Mercedes-Benz Sprinter designed for high-ranking military commanders and heads of state. Driven by a 2.0-litre OM654 turbodiesel engine producing 125 kW and 400 Nm through a six-speed manual or nine-speed automatic transmission, the vehicle features a secure driver bulkhead, executive rear seating, double fridges, a kitchen area and a private onboard restroom.