ST Engineering and KPE working on new Terrex-based 8×8

ST Engineering and Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering (KPE) are set to work on a new armoured vehicle based on ST Engineering’s Terrex 8×8, which will be built in Kazakhstan under a new agreement signed between the two companies, according to a 6th December press release. 

The agreement covers the design and development of an amphibious vehicle based on the Terrex that will be supported with engineering and technical support through production from ST Engineering. “This marks a breakthrough for our Land Systems business in terms of securing its first significant international land platform contract in recent years, as well as entry into a new market in Central Asia.” said Lim Kok Ann, President of Land Systems business at ST Engineering said. 

The vehicle will be produced at the KPE factory in Astana from 2025, and the vehicle will be intended to meet the needs of the Kazakh Armed Forces, according to Aibek Baryssov, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of KPE. The KPE factory was established through a partnership with South Africa’s Paramount Engineering, it has the ability to produce up to 400 vehicles per year, typically winterised versions of Paramount’s armoured vehicles. 

It produces, for example, the Barys 8×8 is a localised version of the Mbombe 8, as well as the Arlan 4×4 protected mobility vehicle, which is based on Paramount’s Marauder. It is not clear whether the Barys 8, or its smaller cousin the Barys 6 have entered service with the Kazakh forces, although an order for the latter and production was reported in 2021. The new Terrex-based vehicle will presumably add a layer of capability and be used along Kazakhstan’s coast on the Caspian Sea. 

Tech profile: Terrex

Terrex is available in a number of variants, the Terrex 2 is described as amphibious while the original Terrex can cross inland water obstacles. The Terrex 2 can carry up to 11 dismounts and has a crew of three. Its gross vehicle weight is 30 tonnes, and it has 9 tonnes of payload capacity which allows it to carry medium calibre weapons in a turret. The more recent Terrex, the s5 is described as a fully digital vehicle that represents the peak of ST Engineering’s digital capabilities. Altogether, this means that KPE could be working to produce a very capable 8×8 under this partnership. 

Calibre comment

This video shows the KPE manufacturing facility in Astana as well as its different production capabilities. Credit: KPE.

Designing and manufacturing an armoured vehicle can be remarkably complex with many different considerations and engineering challenges that must be overcome before they successfully enter service. The average development timeline across three tracked vehicles – the CV90, Puma, and Ajax – is 14 years, which reflects how difficult development can be. However, common programmes between different users such as the Common Armoured Vehicle System can reduce development timelines and production costs. So, KPE’s decision to manufacture proven designs like the Terrex is a sound one, it minimises risk and ensures that the customer will receive a vehicle in good time. 

By Sam Cranny-Evans, published on 6th December 2024.