Recognising that the majority of South African motorists cannot afford the significant investment required for B4 and B6 discreet armouring packages, SVI set out to develop a more accessible solution specifically aimed at countering hijacking attempts. The result is the SVI LITE product range.

Positioned between full 360-degree armouring packages and standard smash-and-grab window film, SVI LITE has been developed with mainstream passenger cars and light-commercial vehicles in mind. This innovation ensures that protection against hijacking is no longer reserved for high-earning VIPs in luxury vehicles. More individuals, families, and first-time car buyers now have the opportunity to safeguard themselves against this ever-present threat.

While SVI’s renowned B4 and B6 discreet armouring solutions provide full 360-degree protection for occupants, SVI LITE is focused on the vehicle’s side closures, including the doors and door windows. Customers have the flexibility to specify how many doors they wish to have armoured.

Each armoured door is fitted with carefully shaped and fully concealed Kevlar panels, while the standard side-window glass is replaced with lightweight armoured glass. These components provide level B2 protection, capable of stopping 9 mm, 124-grain rounds fired from a handgun.

“In much the same way that a bullet-resistant vest protects the vital organs of the human body, our new SVI LITE solution covers the critical areas of a vehicle that are typically targeted during a hijacking attempt,” explained Nicol Louw, Business Development Director at SVI.

Despite the additional protection, the armouring components add just 15 kg to each door, ensuring vehicle performance remains virtually unaffected. Additionally, the ballistic glass is light enough to maintain the standard operation of the side windows in most vehicles, allowing unhindered access to parking-ticket machines, biometric readers, and other everyday conveniences.

The revolutionary SVI LITE range debuts with kits for two of South Africa’s best-selling vehicles: the Toyota Corolla Cross and the Ford Ranger. The Corolla Cross, produced in Prospecton, was the country’s second best-selling passenger vehicle in 2024, making it an obvious choice for SVI.

The Ford Ranger, manufactured in Silverton, was South Africa’s top-selling double cab last year and ranked second overall in the country’s bakkie market. Given its popularity, it was also one of the first vehicles earmarked for the SVI LITE programme.

“Since the goal of SVI LITE is to make vehicle armour more accessible to the broader motoring public, we focused on South Africa’s most popular vehicles. While we are launching with the Corolla Cross and Ranger, we will soon expand the range to include the Toyota Hilux, Toyota Fortuner, and Ford Everest,” said Jaco de Kock, CEO of SVI.

As an official Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) with long-term partner Ford, SVI has factory-backed B4 and B6 discreet armouring packages for the Everest and Ranger, as well as a B6 Stopgun V3.0 security kit for the Ranger. Importantly, the fitment of the new SVI LITE products to the Everest and Ranger does not affect the original manufacturer warranty or any selected service plans.

Compared to a 360-degree B4 discreet armouring package, which starts at approximately R750,000 (excluding VAT) for a medium-sized SUV, SVI LITE is a far more affordable alternative. The price per armoured closure for the Toyota Corolla Cross is R54,950 (excluding VAT), while the same solution for the larger Ford Ranger is priced at R64,950 (excluding VAT).

For example, if a customer opts to protect all four doors and side windows of a Corolla Cross with SVI LITE, the total cost would amount to R219,800 (excluding VAT).

Regardless of the number of closures selected, installation at SVI’s world-class facility near Pretoria takes just two weeks. Fitment is scheduled to commence at the beginning of May 2025.

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With nearly four decades of experience, Cape Town-based SIRDICKS employs nearly 100 staff, making it one of South Africa’s largest bullet resistant vest manufacturers. The company has produced vests for the South African Police Service, Department of Correctional Services, South African National Defence Force, local municipalities, and the United Nations, amongst others.

One of its innovative products is an inflatable armoured jacket that has been taken into service by the South African Navy – this can either inflate in water automatically or when a rip-cord is pulled. The inflatable system makes sure the person in the water floats chin-up to avoid drowning.

SIRDICKS has custom designed armoured vests for the SA National Defence Force, emergency medical services (EMS), and private security companies. Some of its new innovations include a utility EMS bullet resistant vest and bullet resistant leather jackets. Various prototypes for customers are currently in the works.

“With a rich tailoring background, SIRDICKS is an industry leader when it comes to design and development, quality and on-time service delivery,” said Shuaib Gierdien, Business Development Manager at SIRDICKS. “We are also one of the few companies in the local ballistic sector that has an Armscor approved shooting range with the factory capability to manufacture bulletproof vests of any specified style and level of protection.”

A notable achievement for SIRDICKS was upgrading its shooting range for NIJ Level IIIA testing, allowing the company to test its armour against 9 mm and .44 Magnum handgun rounds. Stringent testing and quality control is critical as substandard products can put users’ lives at risk. Shuaib notes that one of the biggest challenges facing the bullet resistant vest industry is that it is not regulated enough to hold newcomers to the same strict standards that established manufacturing companies are governed by.

A significant landmark for SIRDICKS was the development of the South African Army’s new service dress uniform, which has been rolled out to all high-ranking officials for trial wear. The new uniform was developed as the old design was being copied and did not fit all body types.

Some 90% of SIRDICKS work comes from the SA National Defence Force and the military market, and to this end the company has been contracted to design and develop a new prototype bulletproof vest for the defence force.

SIRDICKS sees robust demand for bullet resistant vests locally, and is positive about the future of government contracts because of new laws, accountability and transparency in government. “We continue to set the bar high for quality products,” Shuaib emphasised.

Conflict in Ukraine, and increased worldwide defence and security spending, has seen a sharp rise in the global demand for ballistic materials. “It is clear that most major defence forces are bolstering up all defence supplies due to regional insecurity. We hope that with enough international exposure we can take advantage of this demand,” Shuaib said.

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At the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2024 exhibition in Pretoria it is showcasing a range of new products, including neutral buoyance armour, ultralight body armour plates, and 3D moulded armoured shields, amongst others.

BPT was established in South Africa in 1997 as a developer and manufacturer of bullet resistant and armour protection materials and systems. Since then, BPT has become South Africa’s foremost manufacturer and supplier of advanced armour protection materials and products, said Deon du Plessis, Managing Director of Bullet Proofing Technology.

The company’s main focus is on body armour plates and military vehicle armour. BPT completes 300-500 vehicle armour sets a year, and 70-150 000 body armour panels annually. The other 5% of BPT’s turnover comes from specials, including bullet traps, shields, aircraft, ship and building armour. Materials used include ceramics, Aramid fibre, armour steel, special polymers and UHMWPE (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene) fibres.

“BPT has its own production facilities in South Africa and by using technology established in South Africa since 1976, BPT has the ability to develop and produce unique products and materials based on the threats encountered in Africa and other world regions,” Leon van der Westhuizen, BPT’s technical Director, said. The company is fully BBBEE compliant with more than 51% Black Ownership and more than 90% of all materials used are manufactured in South Africa.

BPT’s products are in use all over the world and in varying environmental conditions, from subzero temperatures in Sweden to Middle Eastern countries where temperatures can soar beyond 40 degrees Celsius. Du Plessis emphasised that BPT’s products have proven themselves in hugely different environments, and its quality control system is certified to ISO 9001:2015 requirements.

BPT brought a range of new products to the 2024 edition of the Africa Aerospace and Defence exhibition, and these include:

Lightweight neutral buoyancy armour: By investing in ultra-high pressure heated platten presses, BPT has established a local manufacturing capability in ultra-low weight armour protection panels using UHMWPE materials developed in Europe and the USA. The UHMWPE plates are so light that they have neutral buoyancy and can actually float on water, thus having only a small effect on the weight and centre of rotation of any watercraft, aircraft or vehicle. This product is also extensively used in armouring luxury civilian vehicles.

“Ultralight” body armour plates: Technology has made huge leaps forward in armour development, and BPT notes the weight of body armour plates has been dropping, going from over 3 kg in 1990 to less than 1 kg now for a locally produced Level III body armour plate. At a weight of less than 1 kg for a 250 x 300 mm multi-curve plate, BPT says its “Ultralight” plates are so light and comfortable that they can be worn for extended periods. The plates exceed the requirements of NIJ 0101 Level III, by also providing protection against the threats encountered in Southern Africa, being the 5.56×45 Ball (R4) and 7.62×39 Ball (Mild Steel Core) (AK-47) threats. There are ICW (In Conjunction With) and Stand-Alone versions of the “Ultralight” plates available, with only a .1kg weight difference between the two versions.

Shields: Shields are again becoming a serious consideration for special task teams. BPT has used its newly developed “Ultralight” UHMWPE material as basis for a new lightweight Level III Shield, which, with the addition of an add-on panel, can be further upgraded to Level IV protection (up to .30-06 armour piercing rounds).

“Vikashield” add-on vehicle armour: As vehicle development and qualification costs are extremely high, it makes a lot of sense for armoured vehicle manufacturers to develop a base vehicle with a specific armour material and thickness and to qualify this to the structural and blast requirements, BPT maintains. By adding add-on materials, such as BPT’s Vikashield and other add-on armour systems, the protection level of the base vehicle can be increased to whatever is required. “As South Africa is now in the process of acquiring new lightweight border control vehicles, add-on armour such as the Vikashield system is now again a perfect solution which is available again, in a new refined system,” du Plessis said.

In addition to its new products, BPT is also highlighting the fact that it is accredited by the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) to certify ballistic testing on body armour (SANS 1658:2007 and STANAG 2920), vehicle armour (EN 1523) and military vehicle armour (STANAG 4569). This is a first for South Africa and BPT is currently the only South African company accredited to do any of this testing in their specially equipped ballistic testing facility, the company said.

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According to chief executive Louisa Garland Els, 2024 started with a bang for Imperial Armour, with orders in January for demining aprons from Libya. This was followed by riot equipment for Malaysia and first-responder structural bunker suits ordered by Botswana.

The company has also completed an order for another African customer, the Nigerian Police, who received body armour products.

For South Africa’s national and provincial elections on 29 May this year, Imperial Armour supplied a large quantity of body armour and ballistic plates for the protection of security guards across the country.

The company’s anti-riot Armadillo is a well-established product, designed for high-threat riot control situations. Combining lightweight flexibility and comfort, it offers substantial protection from blunt force trauma. It can be ordered with Imperial Armour’s hard torso suit that has a shock breaking point of 900 kg. The vest has additional plate pockets to accommodate NIJ Level III and NIJ Level IV stand-alone plates.

In fact, Imperial Armour’s products, manufactured in South Africa, are tested and certified to the United States National Institute of Justice (NIJ) international standards at an accredited independent testing laboratory.

The company’s fire and rescue products, like the structural bunker fire suit, conform to national fire protection association (NFPA) standards.

At the Securex 2024 exhibition, Imperial Armour showed its new farmers jacket. At first glance, the sleeveless vest looks exactly like the body warmers worn by all and sundry on the street. However, it is designed as a lightweight and breathable vest for farmers with bullet proof protection at the same time. Its quilted body warmer material allowing full freedom of movement disguises the body armour, which affords NIJ Level II and Level IIIA protection against knife stabbing or shots from firearms.

Imperial Armour prides itself on almost 25 years of manufacture and supply of personal protection equipment. It has been exporting these products to 78 countries worldwide, from Africa to Europe and Asia, as well as to the United Nations.

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