The Enok (Raccoon Dog) Light Armoured Patrol Vehicle (LAPV) is a light armoured vehicle of the Bundeswehr, mostly in use with the German Army. It is a significantly further developed Wolf SSA, based on the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. The Enok LAPV was adopted in 2008 and a first batch of 247 vehicles has been ordered by the Bundeswehr. Another batch of 84 improved Enoks (Enok 6.1) with increased armor and weight (=6.1 tonnes (6.7 short tons)) were ordered in January 2015. 49 of them are determined for the Kommando Spezialkräfte. In August 2018, the German Bundespolizei ordered modified Enok 6.1s along with remote controlled weapon stations as protected vehicles for airport security tasks.
The Enok offers some level of protection comparing with the baseline G-class light utility vehicle. It features ballistic protection according to NATO STANAG 4569 Level 2 against rifle fire, land mines improvised explosive devices, 7.62×39 mm armor-piercing rounds and artillery shell shrapnel. Vehicle has a V-shaped hull that provides protection against mine blasts. It is claimed that Enok withstands blasts equivalent to 6 kg of TNT. Such vehicle handy in hotspots where is a high threat of ambushes and roadside bombs.
There are two models of the Enok LAPV. One of them has 4 doors and accommodates driver plus 3 passengers. It has is a cargo area at the rear. The cargo area is not armored, but covered with a canvas cover. Also there is a fully-enclosed 5-door version of the Enok. It accommodates driver plus 5 passengers. It is slightly heavier that a 4-door model. German army ordered a total of 84 of these vehicles and 49 of them are intended for German special forces. There is a roof hatch with ring mount. Vehicle can be armed with 7.62-mm machine gun or 40-mm automatic grenade launcher. Vehicle can tow light trailers or artillery pieces, such as mortars.
The powertrain of the ENOK/LAPV 5.4 is based on that of their existing Mercedes-Benz G 280CDI off-road vehicle with special protection, which ensures the best possible supply logistics. The vehicle is available in two variants: with five doors and fully armoured crew and cargo compartments, or with four doors and an armoured crew compartment and unprotected rear body structure. With the ENOK/LAPV 5.4, Mercedes-Benz is demonstrating its expertise in highly manoeuvrable, highly protected all-terrain vehicles at a new level. The three parameters of agility, protection and payload define the magic triangle that Mercedes-Benz has realised to perfection with this vehicle.
Enok Light Armoured Patrol Vehicle (LAPV)
