Mbombe 6
Mbombe 6 anti-armour variant, armed with Ingwe missile
TypeArmoured Infantry Combat Vehicle
Place of originSouth Africa
Production history
ManufacturerParamount Group
Produced2010–present
Specifications
MassCurb: 17,300 kg
Combat: 22,500 kg
Length7,715 mm (303.7 in)
Width2,800 mm (110.2 in)
Height2,549 mm (100.4 in)
Crew2+1+8
ArmorBallistic 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
EngineCummins ISBe4 Turbo Diesel (336kW (450 hp) and 16000N Turbo Diesel)
TransmissionAutomatic transmission
Ground clearance365-430 mm
Operational
range
1,000 km (620 mi)
Maximum speed 110km/h (tire dependent)
Steering
system
24.5 meters turning radius kerb to kerb

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]

Vehicle specifications

The 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

The 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

The 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

The Mbombe 6 can be configured as an Armoured Personnel Carrier, Combat Vehicle, Command Vehicle or ambulance.[10][11][12]

Operators

Map with Mbombe operators in blue


Variants

Official variant:[16]

Kalyani M4

The Kalyani M4 is a prototype developed by India's Kalyani Group.[17][18]

References

  1. ^ "Shepard". Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  2. ^ "AAD Exhibition". Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  3. ^ "SA Venues". Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  4. ^ Army Recognition
  5. ^ Brahmand
  6. ^ Army Recognition
  7. ^ "Shepard". Archived from the original on 12 September 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  8. ^ Engineering News
  9. ^ vpo_Paramount Group (21 September 2010). "Defence Web". Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  10. ^ Defence Update Archived 12 December 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ Brahmand
  12. ^ "Strategic Defence Intelligence". Archived from the original on 5 November 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  13. ^ Guy Martin (15 May 2014). "ADI to manufacture full range of Paramount armoured vehicles". Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  14. ^ "Mbombe Armored Personnel Carrier". Military Today. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  15. ^ "Jordanian armoured vehicles spotted in Libya". 28 May 2019.
  16. ^ "Mbombe: Revolutionary low-profile infantry fighting vehicle".
  17. ^ Chopra, Vijay (5 February 2020). "'Mobile armour will thwart Pulwama repeat'". The Times of India. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  18. ^ Bhattacharyya, Shamik (12 November 2020). "Kalyani M4: Step Towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat". DefenceXP - Indian Defence Network. Retrieved 9 February 2021.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mbombe IFV.

Armoured fighting vehicles of South Africa
Modern wheeled infantry fighting vehicles and armoured personnel carriers
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