Mbombe 6

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

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

• 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 [uk] RTWS is being used by Ukrainian Armed Forces.^[17]

Variants

Official variant:^[18]

• APC
• Armoured ambulance
• Infantry fire support vehicle
• Anti-armour fire support vehicle

Kalyani M4

The Kalyani M4 is a prototype developed by India's Kalyani Group.^[19][20]