Armored wheeled vehicle "Arlan": world-class

Armored Car Marauder South African production. Photo by Paramount Group / paramountgroup.com

In 2013, Kazakhstan and South Africa agreed to launch a joint production of the Arlan armored wheeled vehicles (BKM), a modified version of the Marauder production armored car. These agreements were implemented, and the army of Kazakhstan received the latest armored vehicles. She still remains in the series, while measures are being taken to improve it.

From contract to co-production

History armored car "Arlan" (Kaz. "Wolf") dates back to the end of the two thousandths. In 2008, the South African company Paramount Group introduced the Marauder armored car, intended for sales on the international market. Soon negotiations began with several countries on the supply of finished equipment or on the launch of joint production.

At the beginning of the tenth years, a number of developments by the Paramount Group interested the Kazakh army, and negotiations began. Like some other customers, Kazakhstan did not plan to buy ready-made equipment, but was planning to launch its own production. The corresponding contract appeared in 2013. It envisaged the creation of a joint venture and the production of several BKMs at once.

Arlan of Kazakhstan assembly with the Sunkar combat module. Photo by G. Bedenko / informburo.kz

Under the contract, Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering (KPE) was established. In 2014-15 near Astana, a plant was built, which was to carry out the assembly of armored vehicles. It was planned to make components for BKM on site and receive from South Africa. Initially, the degree of localization was only 20%, but soon it was brought to 70%. Local production of cases and other units was established. Then began the design of their own combat modules and electronics.

The first Arlan armored cars were built and handed over to the customer in 2017. Production is still ongoing, and there are regular reports of the transfer of the next batch of several dozen armored cars. In 2018-19. the army received about a hundred new cars. Search for potential customers among foreign countries.

Foreign platform

BKM "Arlan" is a Marauder armored car with minor changes made at the request of the customer, taking into account operating conditions. By basic characteristics, two armored cars are identical. "Arlan" is a car class MRAP with developed bulletproof and anti-shatter protection. It provides transportation of personnel and can be equipped with weapons of various types.

Arlan and Barys. Photo by G. Bedenko / informburo.kz

The armored body of the BKM Arlan has 3 levels of protection according to the STANAG 4569 standard. Protection is provided against non-armor-piercing 12,7 mm bullets and undermining of 8 kg of TNT under the wheel or underbody. The hull is divided into a protected engine compartment and a single habitable volume, accommodating the crew and passengers. Enhanced glazing is provided for a good view. All glasses, with the exception of the windshield, are equipped with loopholes for firing from a personal weapons. The bottom of the hull has a characteristic "mine" V-shape.

Under the hood is a 285 hp turbocharged diesel engine. with an automatic transmission. The car has four-wheel drive. The chassis is based on independent suspension; used tires 16.00 R20. The wheels are equipped with rigid inserts that allow you to move when breaking tires. Pneumatic brake system with ABS.

The protected volume accommodates up to 10 people. For the driver and commander, there are seats in the front of the compartment with access through their own side doors. Seven paratroopers get into the car and leave it through the aft doors or sunroofs. The habitable compartment, like the engine compartment, has a fire extinguishing system.

DBM "Sunkar". Photo by G. Bedenko / informburo.kz

The climate of Kazakhstan has led to the need to install some units. To start in the cold season, the propulsion system is equipped with heating means. The inhabited compartment is equipped with air conditioning.

The Arlan’s curb weight is 13,5 tons, the combat weight is 16 tons. The armored car has a speed of up to 100 km / h and has a range of 700 km. All-wheel drive chassis overcomes various obstacles. Water barriers intersect ford.

Weapons issues

The basic Marauder project provides for the possibility of equipping an armored car with various weapons of various classes, primarily machine guns on turrets or remotely controlled modules. BKM "Arlan" retains such opportunities. For the installation of combat equipment, a round seat is used in front of the roof.

In the past, starting in 2016, the Arlans were repeatedly shown with different weapon configurations. At exhibitions and training grounds appeared BKM with machine gun DBMs of several types. Also showed anti-aircraft armored vehicles equipped with MANPADS. On his module placed optics and four TPK with missiles.

Preparation for test firing. Photo by G. Bedenko / informburo.kz

KPE continues to develop new weapons options for the Arlan. Fire tests of several samples of this kind are currently underway. Different types of armored vehicles with various types of weapons are displayed at the training ground. So, specifically for the "Arlan" created DBK "Sunkar" ("Falcon") with combined machine guns of various calibers.

The product "Sunkar" is a compact tower mounted on the roof of an armored car carrier. Management is carried out from the compact panel mounted in the cab. The combat module has an optoelectronic unit with a day and night channel. The armament includes a large-caliber NSV machine gun and a normal-caliber PKT product. The fire control system is built on the Shyla platform. Similar SLAs are used in conjunction with other KPE combat modules. At the same time, the Ansar DBM for the Barys armored personnel carrier is being tested. Also created a module "Turan", designed for installation on combat boats.

The "Shyla" system includes devices for arms and turret control, has an automatic target tracking system, ballistic computer, etc. A training mode is provided that allows the operator to be trained without using a separate simulator.

Remote control "Sunkar". Photo by G. Bedenko / informburo.kz

The advantages of "Sunkara" should include the small size and weight, as well as the presence of two machine guns with different characteristics. The module can fire with an elevation of up to 88 °; turret rotation speed - 110 deg / s. Due to this, the DBM can attack both ground and air targets. Range and effectiveness of fire for all purposes is determined by the characteristics of the products of the NSV and FCT.

DBKM "Sunkar" is still at the testing stage and has not yet been adopted. However, the development company is optimistic and hopes that the army of Kazakhstan will be interested in this product. The new module can show advantages over existing products, and its application will expand the combat capabilities of the Arlan. A new line of modules is planned to be launched on the international market. It is also possible to create promising products on the Shyla platform.

At the global level

It is believed that South African enterprises are included in the list of world leaders in the field of MRAP class armored vehicles. Accordingly, the Marauder armored car can be considered the next success of South African engineers in this area. All this is confirmed by the presence of a number of large orders, as well as contracts for the joint production of equipment.

Photo by G. Bedenko / informburo.kz

At one time, Azerbaijan, Jordan and Singapore opened their own assembly lines for Marauders. A few more countries that do not have the necessary capabilities have chosen to purchase finished equipment. In 2013, Kazakhstan joined the countries wishing to master the assembly of equipment from their own and imported components.

To date, the army of Kazakhstan has received about a hundred armored cars "Arlan" with different equipment and weapons. In parallel, deliveries of other armored vehicles of South African development and co-production. These processes have a significant impact on the development of the armed forces and the building up of defense capabilities.

Without its own competencies and experience in the development of armored vehicles, Kazakhstan turned for help to one of the world leaders in the field of armored vehicles. Due to this, in just a few years, it was possible to build a new enterprise and begin re-equipment, as well as start the development of its own designs. The positive effects of this are obvious.

Comments

[rocket757]

Maybe \ for sure this vehicle is super good for savannahs and steppes ... it will not go everywhere with us, it is a fact.
Limited fit, like other wheeled vehicles.
And so, GOOD!

[Zaurbek]

However, we do Tigers and Typhoons .... so we need such a technique.

[rocket757]

We also have roads and steppes. The country is BIG, there are a lot of everything!

[Zaurbek]

These machines, unlike ours, for example - they are created on civilian units. Available and with a high resource and they can be exported without restrictions. And cook the hull in place. We have part of the MCI, too, went this way ... and the South African men began to use URAL units in some machines. Apparently, with an eye to the CIS market.

[rocket757]

One might think that all our military equipment is made of "unique military parts". This is a common practice.
You just have to REMEMBER that nothing universal is very good here and there!
There are knots, parts, just the same, but a lot of that can only be applied special.
In short, everything has its place.

[Zaurbek]

Well, the Tiger has a suspension similar to an armored personnel carrier ... try to export it without the government’s sanction .... and the Urals are quite possible, and then install its units in the armored housing on the spot. That's the same here. There in the background is also an 8x8 APC shown. there is a similar situation. He does not swim only.

[Grad-Xnumx]

This is "Barys", now being tested.

[Zaurbek]

Here it is specially designed with the ability to sell to any country .... based on a commercial unit and systems. In addition to weapons

[marshes]

Quote: Zaurbek

Here it is specially designed with the ability to sell to any country .... based on a commercial unit and systems. In addition to weapons

There, at the request of the customer, engines and components from any manufacturer, even from KAMAZ or MAZ, Ours chose a diesel Kaminsa from China and an automatic Allison box from there.
But we are still buying armor, not the production volumes that a ferroalloy factory with a rolling mill would build, although there were recently opened in the vicinity.

[Grad-Xnumx]

There is also a three-axis version of the BKM Barys. True, it is not known whether he will go into series or not.

[marshes]

Quote: Grad-1

There is also a three-axis version of the BKM Barys. True, it is not known whether he will go into series or not.

Yes, he didn’t bother, they still can’t cut 8x8 before, there is a weak engine and a transmission, he needs a 750 strong engine, the same that the Israelis installed on their own, if you still hang 8 tons on it as planned, it will not budge .
Another pleases that the hand on Arlan is full, they are quickly collected.

[Pivot]

The nodes of the Urals in the Caspians used it were simple armored cars for the poor African countries in which the Urals were in abundance.

[maidan.izrailovich]

However, we do Tigers and Typhoons.

"Tiger" is twice as light.
The armored car "Arlan" is comparable in weight to the BMP-2.

[Zaurbek]

I need a design and approach ....

[Graz]

Quote: Zaurbek

However, we do Tigers and Typhoons .... so we need such a technique.

she will be stuck on our soils 16.5 tons on 4 wheels, heavy specific ground pressure is large, the Tiger weighs 6 tons

[Pecheneg]

I am very happy for our military-industrial complex, whatever it is and is slowly developing. Arlan translates as seasoned wolf.

[V.I.P.]

Yes, good technique. And in terms of protection it surpasses the "Tiger" and BTR-80 (82). "Arlan" holds an explosion of 8 kg ("Tiger 6A" is only 6 kg. And there are not many such tigers). "Barys" - explosion protection 10 kg under the hull, 10 kg under each wheel and 50 kg at the side, 5 m. Also holds a 12.7 x 9 9 NATO cartridge (you can still attach additional armor plates to it); They also make "Alan" -defense like "Tiger". All this goes into service and is offered for sale in other countries.

[Zaurbek]

Cars for different purposes and have different reservations. Hammer was not armored at all. The mass army and police are different machines, although this and that is the Tiger.

[Operator]

Kazakh "Arlan" is a world class SUV (like American SUVs stuck on the Syrian off-road)

[marshes]

Arlan is quite passable, in similar cases he witnessed how BMP-2 sat on the belly, the damn steppe was moody especially after the snow melted and after precipitation.

[English tarantas]

Yes, the steppe is not as simple as it seems. Especially if the climate is not the warmest and rainfall is not rare. There is nowhere to go, it does not evaporate; if there are hills, it’s a little better, but often there are narrow beams. Where I live, there are a lot of beams on the slopes from spring gathering of snow and former rivers, it’s difficult to move, either you will hang on the bottom of the bumpers like a bridge, or you won’t enter the slope. And also the fields are plowed and forest plantations with plowing, you cannot drive arable land in a passenger car, you can get stuck in a heavy machine.

[marshes]

Quote: English tarantass

Yes, the steppe is not as simple as it seems. Especially if the climate is not the warmest and precipitation is not rare

And in the summer it’s not a gift, if you don’t pull out the car, it can all sound like concrete.

[Talgat 148]

Several thousand BMP-2 are also available.

[marshes]

Quote: Talgat 148

Several thousand BMP-2 are also available.

I wonder how long in the ranks, they haven’t written about Semey Plant for a long time, where, how is it?

[Pavel57]

But the choice as a partner in South Africa is politically neutral.

[Zaurbek]

They have a lot of stuff in the stash. Sorry for their attack helicopter did not go to the masses .... decent car.

[V.I.P.]

South African people are the founders of Mrap. They have already used them during the war in Rhodesia. Then the Americans looked and began to do too. They all reached out for them))

[Vyacheslav Sevas]

Chinese masters copy

[7,62x54]

Kazakhs turn their nose from Russian military equipment, why would it.