Paramount Group, the African-based global defence and aerospace company, and its joint venture in Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering (KPE), will exhibit their latest range of next-generation armoured vehicles at the international Kazakhstan Defence Expo (KADEX 2018) held in Astana.
In addition to its word-leading land system technologies, Paramount and KPE will also exhibit a wide range of aerospace and naval capabilities, including the modernisation and enhancement of fixed and rotary wing aircraft, unmanned systems and multi-role naval vessels.
The focus of KPE’s exhibit will showcase the advanced Barys Infantry Combat vehicle family comprising of the 6×6 and 8×8 vehicles, and also the Arlan 4×4 mine-protected armoured personnel carrier.
The Barys 8, the localised version of Paramount’s Mbombe 8, was unveiled for the first time at KADEX 2016. It represents the pinnacle of land system technologies and was developed to meet the increasing demand for multi-role, high mobility and mine hardened platforms.
Its unique design allows for the fitment of a very large array of weapon systems, enabling the Barys 8 to be customised for armed forces all around the world. In 2016, it was fitted with a Russian 57mm automatic cannon on the “AU-220M” remote weapon station. This year, the Barys 8 will be fitted with a remote weapon station jointly developed by Kazakhstan’s KAE and Aselsan, called the Sarbaz. The Sarbaz is a 30mm gyro-stabilised remotely controlled gun turret. Additionally, the vehicle is also fitted with a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun.
The Ministry of Defence of Kazakhstan is in the final stages of the evaluation of the Barys 8×8 combat vehicle ahead of acceptance into service by the country’s armed forces. This follows intensive winter and summer trials during which the vehicle performed exceptionally under extreme conditions.
Making its debut at KADEX, the Barys 6, the new winterised version of Paramount’s Mbombe 6, will be demonstrated with a unified combat compartment and stabilised cannon-machine-gun armament that is currently in use on the BTR 82-A.
Visitors at KADEX will be able to view the most popular Kazakhstani armoured vehicle “Arlan” in various different configurations; equipped with a SARP remote weapon station, the SARP-S modernised remote weapon station paired with a 7.62mm PKT machine gun, and also with a full suite of reconnaissance equipment.
A number of the Arlan armoured wheeled vehicles that are in service with the Kazakhstani armed forces will form a key part of the mobility and firepower displays that will take place during the exhibition.
Ivor Ichikowitz, group chairman of Paramount Group, said: “In only a few years, Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering has established itself as an innovation leader and industrial powerhouse in the region. This is the result of our strong partnerships with the government of Kazakhstan and local industry. We are proud to showcase the unique capabilities of KPE and its locally manufactured world-beating technologies. The success of KPE is a testament to the shared vision, commitment and hard work of our partners and employees.”
Johan Delport, KPE Director, said: “The advanced armoured vehicles produced at our modern manufacturing facility in Astana comply with the highest international standards, offering a wide range of armoured vehicles characterised for outstanding reliability, mobility and levels of protection. Our dynamic portfolio on display at KADEX 2018 is the result of our dedication to innovation, the support of our local partners and the high level skills of our workforce.”
The Kazakhstan Defence Expo (KADEX 2018) is taking place from 23-26 May in Astana.
The Sarbaz is a 30mm gyro-stabilised remotely controlled gun turret. Additionally, a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun is mounted to the left hand-side of the primary armament. The weapons’ gyro-stabilisation system enables the turret to be fired when the platform vehicle is moving, while keeping its operator and system under armour away from counter-fire. The turret uses automatic tracking and ballistics calculations to enhance its precision, with a fire-control computer combining this data with other sources, such as wind speed data obtained from a turret roof-mounted sensor. With -10 degrees /+60 degrees rotation about Y-axis, the turret has continuous rotation capability about Z-axis enabled by its slip ring.
