On February 22, the international exhibition of arms and military equipment IDEX-2015 started in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates). This event is attended by many enterprises from the UAE and foreign countries. Several booths of the exhibition are occupied by the exposition of companies and organizations of the UAE defense industry. Perhaps the most interesting exhibit of the Emirates stands is the prototype of the promising EDT Enigma AMFV armored personnel carrier.
Shortly before the start of the exhibition, Emirated Defense Technology (EDT) completed the assembly of the first prototype of the promising Enigma AMFV (Armored Modular Fighting Vehicle) armored vehicle. The first prototype is made in the configuration of an armored personnel carrier with a Russian-made combat module. However, the Enigma chassis can also be used to create vehicles of other classes. It is known about the work on the creation of an anti-aircraft self-propelled gun and self-propelled guns with a 155 mm gun. All these projects, apparently, are still at the design stage, which is why only one armored personnel carrier has been built so far, which will have to undergo a set of necessary tests.
The Enigma AMFV project was originally called the Nimr 8x8 and was positioned as a new vehicle of the family of the same name: the UAE launched the production of the Nimr armored car with a 4x4 wheel arrangement several years ago. Nevertheless, over time, it was decided to rename the project, probably due to the most serious differences from the existing armored car. At the moment, the new armored vehicle is called Enigma. This armored personnel carrier and other vehicles based on it will be offered to the UAE armed forces in the future. It is too early to say how successful this development will be.
The appearance of the shown armored personnel carrier Enigma AMFV suggests that the engineers of the EDT company, developing this vehicle, took into account foreign projects of similar armored vehicles. For this reason, the new "Enigma" in appearance and hull layout resembles a lot of foreign technology. However, there are also some characteristic features. First of all, it is necessary to note the high height of the machine. It looks like the roof of the hull is at least 2.5 m above the ground.
The layout of the hull units is classic for modern technology of this class. In the front part of the body there are some units, behind which there is a control compartment with a driver's workplace (at the left side) and an engine-transmission compartment (at the right side). Immediately behind them is the habitable volume, given over to the combat and airborne compartment. On the roof of the tower there is a shoulder strap on which a suitable combat module can be installed. The aft part of the hull, depending on the modification, is given for the placement of the landing force or the necessary units / cargo.
The armored body of the EDT Enigma AMFV has a familiar "faceted" shape, formed by several rectilinear sheets. The frontal part is assembled from several inclined sheets, and the upper frontal part has a rather complex shape associated with the placement of some units inside the body. The roof and sides are even, but the transition between them is made in the form of a small oblong inclined sheet. The level of ballistic protection is unknown. Probably, the Enigma vehicle can protect the crew from small arms bullets, including large-caliber ones. Typical fasteners on the surface of the case of the shown sample may indicate the presence of additional hinged protection modules. To protect against explosive devices, the bottom of the hull has a special V-shape designed to deflect the shock wave away from the hull.
BTR EDT Enigma AMFV turned out to be quite heavy. Its combat weight is declared at 28 tons. To ensure high performance at this weight, an engine of appropriate power is required. The machine is equipped with a 711 hp Caterpillar C13 diesel engine coupled with an automatic transmission from the same company. The eight-wheel undercarriage uses an independent link suspension with shock absorbers. These units are developed by the Irish company Timoney Technology. A curious feature of the suspension is its architecture, based on the use of many relatively small elements. Thanks to this, it is argued, repairs are significantly simplified in case of damage, for example, after a detonation on an explosive device. To overcome water obstacles, water jet propellers are provided. Two of these units are located in the rear of the hull, above the rear wheels.
The new Emirati armored personnel carrier is large enough to equip it with relatively powerful weapons. The prototype presented at the IDEX-2015 exhibition received a Russian-made Bakhcha combat module, borrowed from the BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle. The latter is actively used by the armed forces of the UAE, which is why the creation of an armored personnel carrier with "Bakhcha" may be a justified and expedient step. Thus, the prototype vehicle carries a 100-mm caliber 2A70 launcher, a 2A72 30-mm automatic cannon and a PKT 7.62 mm machine gun paired with them. The Enigma armored personnel carrier in a similar configuration will be able to support the infantry with the help of various types of shells, guided missiles and machine-gun fire.
Despite the use of a fairly large combat module, the Enigma AMFV armored personnel carrier body still has room to accommodate an eight-man assault force. In the aft part of the hull, there are eight seats installed along the sides. Fighters must get into and out of the car through a lowered ramp in the rear hull sheet. It is proposed to raise and lower the ramp using hydraulic cylinders. In case of damage to the hydraulic system, a manually-opened door is provided in the ramp.
The own crew of the armored personnel carrier in the configuration presented at the exhibition consists of three people. The driver is located at the front of the hull and has his own sunroof equipped with viewing devices. The commander's and gunner's seats are located in a two-seat turret. To monitor the situation and control weapons, the commander and gunner can use a set of different equipment. There are two hatches in the roof of the tower.
The name of the project reflects the modularity of the new armored vehicle. Indeed, specialists from EDT and related organizations are currently working on the creation of new projects of armored vehicles based on the Enigma chassis, which differ from each other in the combat modules used. As follows from the available information, the most active cooperation is with Russian defense enterprises. Thus, the exhibition prototype received a combat module "Bakhcha", and in the future, another unit of a similar purpose, created in Russia, can be installed on the Enigma AMFV chassis.
A few days before the start of the IDEX-2015 exhibition, the Russian corporation Uralvagonzavod spoke about its plans for cooperation with foreign colleagues. Among other things, it is planned to implement a joint project with an Emirati company, the essence of which is to install a new combat module AU-220M on the Enigma chassis. The new Russian combat module is equipped with a 57-mm automatic cannon, which, according to the idea of its creators, should significantly increase the firepower of armored vehicles. The prototype of the AU-220M module, like the prototype of the Enigma, was demonstrated at an exhibition in Abu Dhabi.
In the near future, work should be completed on the creation of a self-propelled artillery unit based on the Enigma AMFV chassis. This vehicle should receive a new combat module equipped with a 155 mm M777 light howitzer. Such a machine will be able to hit targets at ranges of up to 25-30 km. In the case of using guided projectiles, the effective firing range will be able to reach 40 km with high hitting accuracy.
In the future, the customer will be able to purchase not only armored personnel carriers and self-propelled guns, but also ZSU based on the Enigma AMFV chassis. This modification of the vehicle will be equipped with the Skyranger combat module developed by Rheinmetall Air Defense (formerly Oerlikon Contraves). This combat module is a turret with a 35 mm automatic cannon. A set of surveillance equipment, a fire control system and other equipment, according to the manufacturer, provide effective destruction of targets at ranges of up to 4 km.
The UAE armed forces are considered as the main customer of the EDT Enigma AMFV family of combat vehicles. They may be interested in both armored personnel carriers and other vehicles based on a common chassis. First of all, such equipment can be supplied to the ground forces, although the ability to overcome water obstacles by swimming can open the way for new equipment to the marines. In the future, supplies to the armies of third countries are possible.
Nevertheless, it is too early to talk about deliveries. At the moment, there is only one copy of a promising vehicle in the configuration of an armored personnel carrier. He just has to go to tests, according to the results of which potential customers will be able to determine whether they need such a technique. The timing of the completion of the tests and the possible appearance of a contract for the supply of armored vehicles of the Enigma AMFV family are, for obvious reasons, unknown. Perhaps the first news on this matter will appear in the very near future.
