The Dominican Republic has achieved a significant milestone in national defense sovereignty with the official unveiling of its first domestically assembled armored military vehicle. President Luis Abinader and Defense Minister Lieutenant General Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre presided over the landmark presentation ceremony, marking a transformative moment in the nation’s military industrial capabilities.
The newly revealed FURIA armored vehicle (designated VBD-1 Dominican Armored Vehicle) represents a strategic advancement in the country’s defense autonomy. Built on a Ford Super Duty F-250 chassis, the all-terrain combat vehicle boasts capacity for 11 military personnel and features Level 3 ballistic armor protection. Its sophisticated defensive systems include high-resistance steel construction, multilayer ballistic glass capable of withstanding 7.62 mm ammunition, run-flat tires, and reinforced suspension.
Defense officials emphasized the operational and economic benefits of domestic production, noting that international market equivalents cost approximately $400,000 per unit, while local assembly reduces expenses by nearly 50%. The vehicle’s advanced tactical features include a 360-degree rotating turret, perimeter surveillance cameras, GPS navigation systems, advanced lighting, and climate control capabilities.
The development forms part of a comprehensive expansion strategy for the Dominican Military Industry, which recently attained formal status as a state-owned public company through Presidential Decree No. 221-25. Authorities announced subsequent models already in development, including the VBD-2 for nine personnel and the VBD-3 with capacity for 22 troops.
This initiative substantially enhances the operational readiness of Dominican security forces while generating significant technological transfer, workforce development, and industrial growth. The project demonstrates the government’s commitment to reducing foreign dependency in defense equipment while strengthening national security infrastructure through innovative domestic manufacturing solutions.