The RCV SURVIVOR I can carry a maximum of seven troops

President Uhuru Kenyatta deviated from tradition during the 2014 Madaka Day Celebrations by making his way into the Nyayo National Stadium not on the customary ceremonial Land Rover but a Toyota Land Cruiser with bullet proof glass surrounding it followed by an armoured Reconnaissance Command Vehicle (RCV).

The Reconnaissance and Command Vehicle (RCV) Survivor I is an 8-ton class all-terrain, high mobility, lightweight, 4×4 modular armored vehicle being developed by Austrian company, Achleitner for military customers.

The vehicle design focuses on modular add-on protection against ballistic threats,
mines, artillery splinters and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). It is powered by a 286-hp diesel engine developing a top speed of 100 kilometers per hour on road.

 The vehicle is based on an armoured steel monocoque cell with composite add-ons that provide its occupants (two crew members plus a maximum of five dismounts) with Level 2 ballistic and Level 2a/b mine protection. It also has a deflecting floor and floating seats though IED protection level remains undisclosed.

RCV Survivor I 4×4 features STANAG 4569 level protection with modular add-on armor kits providing Level 3 protection against bombardment and Level 2a/2b against mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

The RCV Survivor is available in the following configurations: communication, border patrol, reconnaissance, command vehicle and ambulance. For law enforcement, military and security range customers the Survivor is available in two additional versions called Survivor I 4×4 Basic and Survivor I 4×4 Light.

The Survivor 4×4 Basic has a gross vehicle weight of 5,000 kg and is intended for police, military and paramilitary customers. The Survivor 4×4 Light is a special purpose militarized version with a gross vehicle weight of 3,250 kg and a 173-hp diesel engine. Two Survivor I vehicles can be airlifted by a single C-130 or C-160 transport aircraft.

The Survivor I RCV is powered by a 250 hp VM diesel engine, that provides a power-to-weight ratio of over 33 hp/tonne. It is coupled to an Allison automatic transmission with three 100% differential locks and a permanent four-wheel drive traction. The vehicle is fitted with live axles front and rear and with 335/80 R20 run-flat tyres.

Its maximum road speed is around 100 km/h while its cruise range is given as 800 km. The vehicle, which is available in three- or five-door configurations, is outfitted not only for communication equipment and other auxiliary systems, but also for a remote-control weapon station on the roof.