Global aerospace and defence technology company Paramount Group unveiled its new generation of light armoured mobility – the co-developed Mbada 4 X 4 – to the local market at the Africa Aerospace & Defence expo this week.

The Mbada concept was debuted at the mid-June European defence expo Eurosatory 2026 as Simha.

The platform was co-developed from inception with Kalyani Strategic Systems’ defence arm and a wholly owned subsidiary of forging company Bharat Forge as a 4 X 4 light armoured mobility platform for armed forces across India, Africa, South Asia and other international markets.

The Mbada 4 X 4 is what Paramount Group classifies as a light armoured modular vehicle that was designed, from inception, as a highly adaptable, modular and mission-configurable platform to address one of the most significant capability requirements facing modern armed forces – the need for a light armoured, protected, highly mobile, multirole vehicle capable of operating across a broad spectrum of missions.

With a verb weight of about 10 t, the Mbada 4 X 4 combines a 450 hp (336 kW) six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine delivering 1 627 Nm of torque with a six-speed automatic transmission, two-speed lockable transfer case and independent front and rear suspension.

Despite its relatively lightweight configuration, the Mbada 4 X 4 delivers STANAG 4569 Level 1 and Level 2 ballistic protection, with Level 2a and 2b blast protection, including protection against a 6 kg TNT-equivalent mine beneath the wheel or hull owing to its fully welded monocoque construction.

The vehicle, capable of accommodating four personnel, can reach a maximum road speed of 110 km/h and is able to operate in temperatures of between -20 ^oC to 45 ^oC without preparation. It includes a turret ring in the roof and is available in both left- and right-hand-drive configurations.

A comprehensive range of optional mission and survivability systems can be integrated, including weapons and ammunition racks, communications and intercom systems, integrated digital and network systems, antenna mounts, roof-mounted searchlights, wire cutters, central tyre inflation systems, run-flat tyres, shooting ports, winches, snorkels, infrared night-driving systems and parking sensors.

Key Design Criteria

Named after the leopard in Shona, the Mbada nomenclature reflects the vehicle’s core design philosophy – combining high mobility, substantial protection and power to enable forces to outmanoeuvre threats and operate effectively across complex environments, says Paramount Group in a statement.

The Mbada 4 X 4 is configured for a range of missions, including reconnaissance, internal security, border protection, special forces operations, troop transport, logistics support, command and control, surveillance, weapons carriage, force protection and homeland security.

“As military forces across Africa and around the world adapt to increasingly complex, dispersed and unpredictable operational environments, demand is growing for lighter and more agile armoured vehicles that combine mobility and survivability with the flexibility to rapidly integrate new technologies, weapons and mission systems,” says Paramount South Africa CEO Lindiwe Tshabalala.

The platform is designed to support customer-specific configurations while simplifying maintenance, upgrades and lifecycle support, enabling operators to adapt the vehicle as mission requirements and technologies evolve.

The combination of mobility, protection and modularity enables Mbada to operate across missions where traditional heavier armoured platforms may be constrained by terrain, infrastructure or the requirement for rapid tactical movement.

By combining Kalyani Strategic Systems’ advanced engineering and manufacturing strengths with Paramount’s proven expertise in protected mobility, Kalyani Strategic Systems CEO Neelesh Tungar says the companies have created a versatile and future-ready platform designed to meet the evolving operational requirements of modern armed forces.