Lithuania has unveiled its first domestically developed armored vehicle, the Taurus 4-1, while Germany is only now restarting Taurus production. The new vehicle, built by Aurida Engineering Company, is a 4x4 MRAP weighing 14 tons, with a price tag exceeding half a million dollars roughly in line with other vehicles in this class. Its troop compartment can accommodate up to seven personnel, powered by a Cummins engine producing up to 480 hp paired with a ZF transmission.
The vehicle offers STANAG 4569 Level 3 protection against 7.62×51 mm rounds and is claimed to withstand an 8 kg anti-tank mine blast under a wheel.
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The Taurus 4-1's appearance may seem familiar because it is based on the South African Marauder from Paramount Group. It has been modified to meet Lithuanian requirements, including CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear) protection.
Similar projects exist elsewhere, such as Kazakhstan's Arlan 4x4, which is also derived from the Marauder platform with around 70% local content. The Marauder itself is in service with Algeria, Jordan, Congo, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and South Africa.
Lithuania chose a globally proven platform that not only meets domestic needs but also has potential for NATO and EU export markets. However, so far, the Lithuanian armed forces have shown limited interest in the vehicle.
Aurida Engineering claims it can produce up to 120 vehicles annually and plans to develop additional specialized variants, including 6x6 and 8x8 versions. Maintenance will also be conducted locally.
Overall, the Taurus 4-1 is another MRAP that could potentially compete with Ukraine's Varta-2 and Inguar-3 on the international market. Nevertheless, its success remains uncertain until it secures its first operational contract, as being Lithuanias first MRAP alone is unlikely to guarantee market traction amid many competitors in this niche.
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