The GURKHA MPV "Mine Protected Vehicle" is designed to minimize the effects of blast and was based on creating the maximum distance and protection between the seat of mine explosion and the cabin.

The front wheel stations are located forward of the primary crew cabin. The front fenders and the hood are attached to the chassis and not directly to the crew cabin, thus reducing the shockwave transmitted to the cabin in the event of a blast.

The armored cell of the crew compartment from the double HOLLOWDECK™ bulkhead installed laterally across the engine firewall and armored access door separates the two cells. The rear cell is fully armored to the rear entry door and has a separate mounting apparatus that is detachable in the event of mine explosion. If a rear wheel detonates a mine, the explosion is vented upwards and outwards, thus limiting the damage to the crew cabin. If the rear cell is utilized for the transportation of a second crew, it may be equipped with independent climate control.

A number of the other features have also been incorporated into the design to protect the crew cabin from the explosion of an underbelly mine. The ground clearance has been maximized to allow maximum dissipation of the blast. The location of heavy components under the cabin floor has been avoided because they can be projected by mine blast through the cabin floor.

The vehicle's underbelly is further protected by a supplementary belly plate which incorporates THIKA MINEPLATE™, a layered sandwich structure that collapses on detonation of mine under the belly and in doing so, absorbs a high percentage of the blast's energy. The plate has a proprietary mounting system that attached the plate to the lower edge of the crew compartment cell. The attached device inhibits the transfer of a shock wave to the body.

HOLLOWDECK™ armoring technology utilizes a 24mm steel frame with armor panels attached to the exterior and interior of the frame. THIKA MINEPLATE™ is installed within the HOLLOWDECK™ cavity.

The GURKHA MPV with THIKA MINEPLATE™ blast protective material in the walls and belly exceeds the requirement of the NATO STANG regulation 4569 level 2.