The Mbombe 6 is a mine-protected, high-mobility armoured fighting vehicle produced by Paramount Group from South Africa[1] that was launched in 2010. "Mbombe" is named after an African warrior.[2][3]
| Mbombe 6 | |
|---|---|
 Mbombe 6 anti-armour variant, armed with Ingwe missile | |
| Type | Armoured Infantry Combat Vehicle |
| Place of origin | South Africa |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Paramount Group |
| Produced | 2010–present |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | Curb: 17,300 kg Combat: 22,500 kg |
| Length | 7,715 mm (303.7 in) |
| Width | 2,800 mm (110.2 in) |
| Height | 2,549 mm (100.4 in) |
| Crew | 2+1+8 |
| Armor | Ballistic protection: CERN level B7 or STANAG 4569 level 3 (Crew Protection against 7.62 mm MG attacks). Flat bottom blast-protected hull, mine blast protection: STANAG 4569 Level IV and RPG (10 kg of TNT under hull), anti-tank mine. Withstands 50 kg TNT side blast at 5 Meters |
Main armament | Roof hatch can be installed with any armament up 30 mm gun |
| Engine | Cummins ISBe4 Turbo Diesel (336kW (450 hp) and 16000N Turbo Diesel) |
| Transmission | Automatic transmission |
| Ground clearance | 365-430 mm |
Operational range | 1,000 km (620 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 110km/h (tire dependent) |
Steering system | 24.5 meters turning radius kerb to kerb |
Vehicle specifications
editThe Mbombe 6's unladen weight is 16 tonnes. Its maximum combat weight is 27 tonnes with a crew of 11. It has 6x6 wheel drive for use on different kinds of terrain. Its maximum speed is 100 km/h; its range is 700 km.[4][5]
The Mbombe 6 has a 300 kW Cummins ISBe4 diesel engine and an Allison 6 speed automatic transmission.[6]
Armour
editThe Mbombe 6 hull meets STANAG 4569 Level 4, which means the vehicle can withstand a 10 kg TNT blast under its hull or any wheel station. As standard, the Mbombe 6 can protect its crew against Rocket-propelled grenades, while additional modules protect against IEDs, up to 50 kg TNT at 5 metres.[7][8]
Armament
editThe Mbombe 6 is armed with a heavy machine gun or an autocannon. The Mbombe 6 can be fitted with day and night vision equipment.[9]
Functions
editThe Mbombe 6 can be configured as an Armoured Personnel Carrier, Combat Vehicle, Command Vehicle or ambulance.[10][11][12]
Operators
edit
Jordan: 50 on order.[13]
Kazakhstan: Barys is a Kazakh version of the Mbombe[14]
Libya: Unknown number delivered to Libya from Jordan in 2019.[15]
South Africa
Ecuador: Unknown number in use by the Ecuadorian Army.[16]
Ukraine: License-produced version of Mbombe, equipped with Spys RTWS is being used by Ukrainian Armed Forces.[17]
Variants
editOfficial variant:[18]
- APC
- Armoured ambulance
- Infantry fire support vehicle
- Anti-armour fire support vehicle
Kalyani M4
editThe Kalyani M4 is a prototype developed by India's Kalyani Group.[19][20]
References
edit- ^ "Shepard". Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ^ "AAD Exhibition". Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ^ "SA Venues". Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ^ Army Recognition
- ^ Brahmand
- ^ Army Recognition
- ^ "Shepard". Archived from the original on 12 September 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ^ Engineering News
- ^ vpo_Paramount Group (21 September 2010). "Defence Web". Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ^ Defence Update Archived 12 December 2010 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Brahmand
- ^ "Strategic Defence Intelligence". Archived from the original on 5 November 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ^ Guy Martin (15 May 2014). "ADI to manufacture full range of Paramount armoured vehicles". Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ^ "Mbombe Armored Personnel Carrier". Military Today. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
- ^ "Jordanian armoured vehicles spotted in Libya". 28 May 2019.
- ^ "Ecuador Receives Its First MBombe Armored Vehicles from South Africa". Army Recognition. 9 April 2024.
- ^ "Головнокомандувачу представили нову українську бронемашину". Militarnyi (in Ukrainian). 18 April 2024.
- ^ "Mbombe: Revolutionary low-profile infantry fighting vehicle".
- ^ Chopra, Vijay (5 February 2020). "'Mobile armour will thwart Pulwama repeat'". The Times of India. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
- ^ Bhattacharyya, Shamik (12 November 2020). "Kalyani M4: Step Towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat". DefenceXP - Indian Defence Network. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
External links
edit