In 2013, Kazakhstan and South Africa agreed to work together in the field of armored combat vehicles. The industry of the two countries has finalized several finished projects and brought some of them to serial production and operation. Other samples are just being prepared for production. Among them there is a wheeled armored wheeled vehicle (BKM) "Barys 8x8" (Kaz. "Bars").
From Africa to Asia
In 2010, the South African company Paramount Group, known for its developments in the field of armored vehicles, presented a new model - the Mbombe 6 armored personnel carrier / infantry fighting vehicle. The six-wheel all-wheel drive armored chassis was intended for transporting people and mounting various weapons.
Later, Paramount Group developed a new version of the BKM with a four-axle chassis, a different armored hull and other features. Such an armored personnel carrier / infantry fighting vehicle was named Mbombe 8. Both armored vehicles are already ready for mass production and are offered to customers. To date, the development company has managed to receive several such orders.
In 2013, a major agreement appeared that stipulated cooperation between South Africa and Kazakhstan. In accordance with it, a joint venture Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering (KPE) was created, which was to complete the revision of several South African BKM and master their production. In 2014-15. a plant was built, where it was planned to deploy the assembly of equipment.
Among the samples planned for production, there were both versions of the Mbombe armored personnel carrier - with a three- and four-axle chassis. Their modifications for Kazakhstan received the general name "Barys", to which the wheel formula is added.
Already in 2016, KPE manufactured the first experimental Barys 8x8. The car was tested and repeatedly participated in various exhibitions. Serial production has not yet begun. However, the development company is wasting no time - it creates and tests new versions of the weapons complex.
Modified version
BKM "Barys 8x8" is a multi-purpose wheeled chassis with an amphibious compartment, capable of carrying various weapons. Depending on the equipment and assigned tasks, it can be an infantry fighting vehicle or an armored personnel carrier.
"Barys 8x8" is built according to the traditional for modern BKM scheme with a front engine and a large habitable compartment in the center and stern of the hull. The armor of the vehicle provides protection against small arms, shrapnel and mines. Ballistic protection corresponds to level 3 of the STANAG 4569 standard (12, 7-mm non-armor-piercing bullet); anti-mine - level 4b (10 kg of TNT under the wheel or bottom). Mine protection is made without the use of a V-shaped bottom, which has a positive effect on the vertical dimensions.
In the forward part of the hull there is a power plant based on a 550 hp Cummins diesel engine. The transmission with automatic transmission provides all-wheel drive. Wheels with tires 16.00 R20 have independent suspension and air braking system with ABS. Acceleration to a speed of 100 km / h is provided, the cruising range is 800 km.
The Barys 8x8 crew includes two or three people. The driver and commander are located in front of the crew compartment and have their own hatches. A gunner-operator's workplace can be installed behind them. The aft part of the hull accommodates eight places for the landing; fighters disembark through the ramp or roof hatches. Energy-absorbing seats are provided for the crew and troops.
Like other samples of the South African development, the Mbombe armored personnel carrier, in the course of revision, received some new tools related to the specifics of operation in Kazakhstan. An engine heating system was used, there is also a climate control based on an air conditioner with a capacity of 12 kW.
The BTR "Barys 8x8" has a length of 8 m, a width of 2.8 m and a height of 2.4 m (on the roof). Combat weight, depending on configuration, landing, etc. - up to 28 tons. Net weight of the machine - 19 tons.
Universal platform
In accordance with current trends, Mbombe / "Barys" can carry various remotely controlled combat modules with a different composition of weapons. To date, KPE has presented three options for such equipment for the Barys. It is curious that one of the BKM versions is equipped with a Russian-made DBM.
During the first screenings "Barys 8x8" carried a combat module developed by the Kazakh-Turkish joint venture Kazakhstan Aselsan Engineering. This product is a fairly large turret with a 30-mm 2A42 cannon, PKT machine gun, optoelectronic systems and fire control systems. The tower is uninhabited; the control panel is located inside the body of the carrier armored vehicle. The KAE project provides for the possibility of installing other weapons, up to 57-mm artillery systems.
Later, at one of the exhibitions, they showed a prototype BKM with a layout of the Russian-made AU-220M combat module. In this case, the main weapon of the "Barys" becomes a 57-mm automatic cannon with increased combat characteristics. The cannon is supplemented with a normal caliber machine gun.
Currently, KPE is testing an experienced armored personnel carrier with a promising fighting compartment "Ansar" of its own design, created by order of the Ministry of Defense of Kazakhstan. This product is made in the form of a rotating tower with a turret basket carrying the necessary equipment. Inside the armored dome are a 30-mm 2A72 cannon and a 7, 62-mm PKT machine gun. Outside, it houses an optoelectronic unit and a tracking and tracking radar station. In the future, it is possible to install anti-tank missile weapons. Below the level of the shoulder strap in the basket there is a gunner-operator's workplace with the necessary instruments. Next to it are ammunition boxes and ammunition supply tract devices.
Fighting compartment "Ansar" uses the unified fire control system "Shuyla", also used in other DBM from KPE. It includes digital means of observation and calculation of data for shooting, automatic target tracking, etc. With the help of such an MSA and the available weapons, Ansar can fire at ground and air targets in the entire range of ranges.
Prospects of the project
Armored wheeled vehicles "Barys" of two versions so far exist only in the form of prototypes. Tests have already been carried out that have shown the inherent characteristics of such a technique. Currently, combat modules are being tested. For example, a few days ago, another test firing took place with the use of the Ansar product.
"Barys" have not yet been put into service and serial production has not yet been launched. Nevertheless, KPE is ready to start assembling such equipment for the benefit of a domestic or foreign customer. It is assumed that the first buyer will be the armed forces of Kazakhstan.
It is unclear which version of the "Barys 8x8" will be able to enter service. The army of Kazakhstan plans to replace the old types of armored vehicles, and this may require various modern models with certain features. It can be assumed that modules with 30-mm guns have good prospects. They were developed at the request of the Ministry of Defense of Kazakhstan and confirm their characteristics.
The future of the AU-220M module will be determined later - when the Russian side will present a finished sample of this product, suitable for full-fledged testing. Perhaps, in the future, the development of a modification of the KAE DBM with similar weapons of increased power, originally envisaged, will be completed.
Benefits of cooperation
The Barys 8x8 project and other promising armored vehicles created and produced by KPE can be considered a good example of international cooperation that has a positive effect on the state of the troops. Without having its own school of building armored vehicles, Kazakhstan found an opportunity to obtain a number of modern models.
Companies from South Africa, incl. Paramount Group are considered the world leaders in the field of wheeled armored vehicles for various purposes. Cooperation with industry leaders allowed Kazakhstan to obtain modern equipment samples, and with them production technologies. In this context, cooperation with Russia should also be noted. Two projects are being considered at once, providing for the installation of a 57-mm Russian-made cannon, incl. together with a ready combat module.
"Barys 8x8" has not yet been adopted by Kazakhstan and does not affect the country's defense capability. Nevertheless, the car is already ready and is undergoing various tests aimed at obtaining new features. Thanks to this, from the signing of the contract to the receipt of serial equipment, the minimum time will pass - and the full potential of joint work on projects will be realized.
