Unibuffel

{{Infobox weapon

| is_vehicle = yes

| name = Unibuffel

| image = Sri Lanka Military 0200.jpg

| image_size = 300

| caption = Unibuffel Mk II of the Sri Lankan Army

| type = Infantry mobility vehicle

| origin = {{flag|Sri Lanka}}

| crew = 2 + 10 passengers

| length = 5.1 m (16.73 ft)

| width = 2.05 m (6.73 ft)

| height = 2.95 m (9.68 ft)

| weight = 6.14 t

| armour = Classified

| primary_armament = Twin 7.62mm MG (front)

| secondary_armament = Twin 7.62mm MG (rear)

| engine = TATA Diesel Engine

Hino V6 Turbo-charged Diesel Engine (MKII Improved Version)

| engine_power = 180 hp (MKII Improved Version)

| unit_cost = 3 million rupee{{cite news|url=https://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2004/04/25/fea22.html|archive-date=2007-09-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930161026/http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2004/04/25/fea22.html |date=2007-09-30|url-status=live|title=The evolution of the indigenous armoured vehicle: From Unicorn to Unibuffel}} (${{formatnum:{{To USD|3000000|LKA|year=2004|round=yes}}}})

| service = 2000 - Present

| used_by = {{army|Sri Lanka}}
{{navy|Sri Lanka}}
{{air force|Sri Lanka}}
Special Task Force
United Nations Peacekeeping

| designer = Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

|design_date=

| production_date = 2000 - Present

| manufacturer = Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

| variants = Mark I to Mark II

| suspension = 4×4 wheeled

| speed = 96km/h (59.61 mph) on road
30km/h (18.64 mph) off-road

| pw_ratio =

| vehicle_range = 1000 km (621.37 mi)

}}

The Unibuffel is a mine-protected wheeled MRAP Infantry mobility vehicle used by the Sri Lankan military, which is an improved version of the Unicorn, made by the Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

More than 53 Unibuffels had been manufactured as of 2006.

Production history

Although similar to the South African Buffel, it is built entirely by the Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (SLEME). Initial research and development started in 1997 in an effort to field modernized MRAPs in Sri Lankan military service.{{Cite web|url=https://alt.army.lk/sleme/si/si-history-sleme_6|title = Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers}} First production started in 2000.Camp & Heitman, p. 238-239

In 2019, SLEME began to upgrade Unibuffels with blast shock absorption seats and better protection. In 2020 full Air Conditioning was added to those being sent for UN peacekeeping operations in Mali. {{Cite web|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/190224/news/new-locally-made-mpv-better-at-withstanding-mines-sleme-337818.html|title=New locally made MPV better at withstanding mines: SLEME|website=The Sunday Times Sri Lanka|access-date=2019-03-10}}{{Cite web|title=Sri Lanka Army-Manufactured Air-conditioned Mali-bound Unibuffels Ready for Shipment {{!}} Sri Lanka Army|url=https://www.army.lk/news/sri-lanka-army-manufactured-air-conditioned-mali-bound-unibuffels-ready-shipment|access-date=2020-06-26|website=www.army.lk}}

=Combat Usage=

File:SLA UniBuffel.JPG

The Unibuffel proved quite successful in the Sri Lankan civil war, it could transport troops through rough terrain with ease, and had good protection, it participated in all Sri Lankan Army operations 2005 onwards.

When Sri Lankan troops joined United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti, 16 Unibuffels was deployed to serve as their APC.{{Cite web|url=https://alt.army.lk/sleme/history-sleme_7|title = Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers}}

In June, 2020 nine Unibuffels were deployed to Mali under urgent operational requirements for peacekeeping operations.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/190317/news/mali-needs-us-341034.html|title='Mali needs us'}}

Design

The Unibuffel has an enclosed troop compartment and has gun mounts on the front and back to equip it with machine guns.Camp & Heitman, p. 239 The Typhoon 25mm cannon can also be equipped as a port defense weapon on a flatbed version.

Vehicles were powered by a TATA engine which can deal easily with rough terrain. Bulletproof glass was initially imported from China on a needed basis but later versions use glass manufactured by local suppliers.{{Cite web|title=ප්‍රථම වරට රණවිරු නිෂ්පාදන ලෝවටා - Unibuffel Truck {{!}} Auto Vision {{!}} Sirasa TV - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IU652Siito&feature=youtu.be|access-date=2020-08-18|website=www.youtube.com}}

Variants

The variants of the Unibuffel consist of following categories,

Mark I
Mark II
Mark II Improvised Version (Designed and Manufactured for UN Peacekeeping Missions)

Operators

{{SRI}}
{{army|Sri Lanka}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/sri_lanka_army_military_uk/sri_lanka_sri_lankan_army_land_ground_forces_military_equipment_armoured_vehicle_pictures.html|title=Sri Lanka Sri lankan army land ground forces military equipment armoured vehicle pictures | Sri Lanka Army Military UK | Asia UK}}
{{navy|Sri Lanka}}: Known to be used by the Naval Patrolmen.{{Cite web|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/sri-lanka/navy-amphibious.htm|title=Sri Lanka Navy - Amphibious}}
{{air force|Sri Lanka}}
Special Task Force: 15 Unibuffels handed to the STF.

Unibuffel

Production history

=Combat Usage=

Design

Variants

Operators

See also

References

Further reading