Armored under the sun of Dubai

With screeching tires, the armored Toyota Land Cruiser 300 slides into the artificial obstacle. Bringing the approximately 4.5-ton off-road vehicle to a full stop at 80 kilometers per hour requires determination and skill from the driver.

 "Not braking energetically enough. Try again with more pressure on the brake pedal," comments Leo Prinsloo, chief trainer at ASC HARDCAR International in Dubai. The former elite policeman from South Africa became worldwide famous when he successfully defended an armed attack on his cash-in-transit vehicle. For three years now, he has been in charge of tactical driving training at ASC HARDCAR International. The German-managed company primarily builds special protection civilian vehicles. However, for about ten years, they have also been offering driver training sessions. Managing Director and founder Fidelis Cloer: "Driving a special protection vehicle is incomparable to driving a civilian counterpart. The special protection vehicle reacts completely differently and can put the driver in great difficulty, especially at high speeds." But before driving at high speeds during training, participants must first navigate a so-called police course at walking speed. "Absolute precision is required here. Even experienced drivers reach their limits here," says Cloer.

The whole world comes to this driving training

The training at ASC HARDCAR International lasts five days and is considered unique in kind and scope worldwide. Hundreds of participants from around the world have already traveled to Dubai to take part. They work for embassies, the police, or aid organizations operating in crisis areas. And of course, as private bodyguards. The 16 spots per course are highly sought after. Participants often return for repeated training and refreshers every two years.

After a one-day introduction to ammunition and explosives/traps, the participants are informed about the technical features of the armor and driving physics of these special vehicles. This is followed by four days of practice on a spacious training ground. Driving at high speeds including emergency braking and quick lane changes, convoy driving, behavior at checkpoints, driver changes at full speed, first aid focusing on blood clotting, firefighting, or self and mutual rescue from an overturned vehicle are just some of the topics practiced in a practical setting.

After five days of intense training, participants realize that driving an armored vehicle means much more than just driving a car. Physical fitness and concentration, stress resilience, and technical skills are further prerequisites for safely operating a special protection vehicle in crisis areas.

Driving at the limit - because lives are at stake

"We take participants out of their comfort zone and increasingly confront them with extreme situations during training, consciously pushing them to their limits," explains Leo Prinsloo the training concept. Because in regions where armored vehicles are required, attacks must always be expected. "Many drivers tend to forget this over time because nothing happens, and everyday routines set in," knows Cloer, who has spent a lot of time in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Ukraine, among other places. Consequently, the motto of the training is "Complacency kills".

The next driver training will take place from February 3 to 7, 2025. More information at www.asc-international.ae or by email to: [email protected]

ASC HARDCAR International online