THE NEW SVI GIMBAL GUNPORT: A GAMECHANGER FOR THE SECURITY INDUSTRY

• SVI introduces the new Gimbal Gunport
• Gamechanger for SA’s security industry
• Facilitates improved accuracy and safety
• See new Gimbal Gunport in action HERE

SVI Engineering, leading specialist manufacturer of armoured products in South Africa, is excited to reveal the new SVI Gimbal Gunport, a patent-pending product designed specifically for armoured security vehicles.

Officially unveiled at Securex South Africa 2026 – a show billed as Africa's largest security exhibition and held annually at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg – the new SVI Gimbal Gunport represents a significant upgrade over the standard gunport that is common in the local security industry.

“In South Africa’s private security and valuables-in-transit sectors, a split second can determine the outcome of an ambush. The new SVI Gimbal Gunport ensures that security officers can return fire with speed and accuracy, while enjoying even greater ballistic protection. We believe this critical tactical advantage will help shift the odds back in favour of security teams,” said Jaco de Kock, CEO of SVI.

LIMITATIONS WITH TRADITIONAL GUNPORTS

A traditional firing port (incorporated into select panes of ballistic glass in an armoured security vehicle) is a typically circular opening that affords security officers the ability to return fire when under attack. These ports are usually manually opened and closed by way of lever-operated mechanisms.

However, firing a weapon through a traditional gunport when the vehicle is moving comes with obvious stability challenges. Moreover, there is an ever-present risk of the weapon’s muzzle being inadvertently retracted into the cabin, which could result in a potentially lethal ricochet off either the glass or the gunport surface itself.

HOW THE SVI GIMBAL GUNPORT WORKS

In contrast, the new SVI Gimbal Gunport – which is similar in concept to a rotatable weapon mount – allows the firearm’s barrel to be quickly yet securely fixed in place. Incorporating a sphere fashioned from armoured steel, the mechanism effectively functions as a pivoted support for the fastened weapon, permitting smooth rotation and offering wide firing angles.

• WATCH THE GIMBAL GUNPORT IN ACTION!

“The key benefits over the traditional gunport are twofold: greatly increased safety and markedly improved accuracy. With the weapon securely attached to the mount, there is no risk of an in-cabin ricochet, while the stability of the set-up means guards can be far more precise with return fire, even when on the move,” De Kock explained.

GIMBAL GUNPORT: KEY APPLICATIONS

SVI is now offering the option of the new Gimbal Gunport on its larger security vehicles, including the 12-seater MAX SWAT APC and all derivatives in the broader MAX 3 range. The company also plans to make this new product available across its popular Stopgun product line-up, including for bakkies such as the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger.

THE COMPANY

SVI is an original equipment manufacturer that has specialised in armoured vehicles since 2004. The company is a market leader in Africa, serving the private, corporate, security, mining and governmental segments. SVI holds a Level 2 B-BBEE certification and its quality management system is certified to ISO 9001:2015 by TÜV Rheinland.

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