Wahash Armoured Vehicle

Wahash is a new 8×8 multi-role armoured vehicle developed by United Arab Emirates-based defence company Calidus in collaboration with ADG Mobility in South Africa. It is intended for combat, surveillance, and counter-insurgency missions.

The vehicle was on display for the first time at the International Defence Exhibition 2019 (IDEX 2019) held in Abu Dhabi in February 2019. Calidus also signed a cooperation agreement with Ukrspecexport, an authorised state-owned intermediary company of Ukraine, for the joint production of the vehicle with combat module.

The vehicle features amphibious capability and offers high-mobility and protection in extreme weather, terrain, and climatic conditions.

Design and features of Wahash armoured vehicle

The multi-mission armoured vehicle features a monocoque steel hull offering superior payload capacity and protection. It incorporates a range of state-of-the-art subsystems designed for multiple roles. Wahash can be configured as an infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) or an armoured personnel carrier (APC) or other platforms according to the requirements of end-users.

The digital generic vehicle architecture of Wahash allows the integration of multiple command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems.

Wahash APC measures 8.5m long and 2.7m high. It has a combat weight of 32,100kg and can carry a maximum payload of 10,800kg. The vehicle is manned by a crew of three including a driver, a commander, and a gunner. It can transport eight infantrymen in the troop section at the rear of the hull. The occupants can enter and exit the vehicle through multiple roof hatches and a rear door.

The standard equipment on the vehicle includes a Kaller ride height adjustment system, TEK seats, Ametek air conditioning system, and Ortana camera system.

Armament

Wahash armoured vehicle can be mounted with the BM-3 combat module or other manned / remotely-controlled weapon stations to accommodate large calibre weapon systems.

The vehicle displayed at the IDEX 2019 show is armed with a BM-3M Shturm remote-controlled turret supplied by Kyiv Armoured Plant in Ukraine.

The turret is installed with a ZTM-1 30mm cannon, a KT 7.62mm machine gun, a KBA-117 30mm automatic grenade launcher, six 902B smoke grenade launchers, and two Bar’er anti-tank missile launchers. The 30mm gun can be remotely operated from the hull to enhance crew protection in hostile environments.

Wahash self-protection

The vehicle offers up to STANAG 4569 Level 4 ballistic protection and Level 4a and 4b land mine protection. It can withstand improvised explosive devices (IEDs), 155mm artillery shell fragments and mine explosions under wheels and centre hull.

The protection levels can be further increased with the integration of add-on external passive armour packages. A chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) protection system and automatic fire and explosion suppression system form part of the vehicle’s equipment fit.

Engine and mobility

The armoured vehicle is powered by a 724hp Scania DC 13 engine coupled to ZF 7 AP 2600 SP transmission. It has a maximum speed of 130km/h and a range of 750km. The fully amphibious vehicle is propelled in the water by two propellers mounted at the rear of the hull. The maximum amphibious speed of the vehicle is 10km/h.

Wahash APC is fitted with the independent double-wishbone hydro-pneumatic suspension. It can negotiate a 70° gradient and a 40° side slope, and can climb a vertical step of 0.8m and cross a 2m-wide trench.

The vehicle is capable of operating in temperatures ranging between -30°C and 55°C. It can be air-transportable by military cargo aircraft such as Boeing C-17A, which can transport up to two vehicles.