The showstoppers of Bahrain
With over 180 exhibiting companies, Bahrain International Defence Exhibition and Conference or BIDEC 2019 in its second edition turned out as a unique platform for exhibitors to showcase the latest technology, equipment and hardware across land, sea and air. The event held for the first time in 2017 was so successful that 62 per cent of the exhibitors signed up for the second edition before the end of the first one.
As in the previous edition, this year’s edition also saw Bahrain’s home-grown products rubbing shoulders with its regional and international military peers. ‘Faisal’ is Bahrain’s Defence Force’s latest offering when it comes to localisation and the star of this year’s edition. Show-stopper of BDF in the first edition was a ‘Special Forces Vehicle’. Faisal, the locally-made 4x4 Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) is fully designed and developed in Bahrain for the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF).
According to retired Brigadier General Isa Yousif Al Mahmeed, the project began its development in 2016 under the guidance of BDF commander-in-chief. “His vision for Bahrain to have locally-made equipment and armoured vehicles were the driving force behind the birth of Faisal,” Al Mahmeed told army recognition.
Made-in-Bahrain
Based on specific needs and requirements, BDF engineers designed, developed and manufactured the vehicle here in Bahrain. Faisal, powered by a 300 horsepower Cummins Diesel engine and mated to an Allison 6-speed transmission, has enough energy to tackle any terrain of choice.
Monocoque design, B6 protection
Monocoque design offers top-notch protection to the crew against ballistic and mine threats. Including a gunner, the vehicle is capable of carrying eight personnel. According to the designer of the vehicle, the hull provides ballistic protection Level B6 against the firing of small arms 7.62mm calibre and can withstand an explosion of 6 kg of TNT under the wheels and the floor. Conventional design approach places Faisal’s crew in the middle and troops at the rear with the engine at the front.
90 Km/hour, convertible
Maximum speed is 90km/ hour, with a cruising range of 900km. The vehicle has a gross weight of 9,000 kg with a maximum payload of 2,000 kg. One of the specialities of the Faisal is its flexibility. The body of the APC, designed like a boat, can be removed completely from the chassis in 15 minutes. For an APC, Faisal’s thus offers enough possibilities and can be easily converted to an ambulance, a cargo or a reconnaissance vehicle as required.
20 mm cannon
The vehicle can carry up to 20 mm cannon as well as other smaller weapons along with two machine guns in the back. Faisal large troop-compartment with anti-mine blast seats for each soldier provides enough room for six infantrymen. There is also enough room inside to carry a piece of additional military equipment or a stretcher. Faisal allows troops to exit and enter the vehicle swiftly through one door on each side of the hull. Rear-end has two manual doors. The compartment also houses three small bulletproof windows and firing ports.
An open turret on the roof can handle one machine gun or cannon of up to 20 mm calibre. The design suits the needs of Bahrain Defence Force which has a prominent role in assisting the international community in peacekeeping operations and combating terrorism within the framework of international legitimacy. Bahrain’s competition in this regard was the APCs produced by Streit Group. At the show, the group presented four types of wheeled APCs as well as other vehicles.
URAL 4x4 Armoured Personnel Carrier and ARMA 6x6 Armoured Personnel Carrier by Otokar, Turkey’s leading land defence systems company, was another in this category. Bahrain currently operates Otokar’s multi-wheeled modular armoured vehicle ARMA 6x6.
International Armored Group’s (IAG) Guardian Xtreme was yet another competitor, which is currently being employed by UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon. Defence Industry of Saudi Arabia MIC’s 4x4 HMTV (High Mobility Tactical Vehicle) was one another in this class.
Locally made Anti-tank cannon carrier
Next product on display by BDF was a modified Toyota Land Cruiser (TLC71) to house a 106 mm anti-tank cannon M40A1 that has an effective range of 1,200m. Recovery winch, runflat tyres are some of the added features. The vehicle’s rear cabin is removed to make space for the gunner and the cannon to move freely up and down and 360 degrees. Ammunition box, below the platform, is capable for carrying six missiles.
The vehicle, capable of carrying two persons, is equipped with a telecommunication system used by Bahrain Defence force. Speaking to army recognition, Lt. Col. Died Khalifa Alkwari, Mechanical Engineer BDF, said the force is aiming to modify the cannon and, at present, the focus was on the vehicle.
First Response Vehicle
Royal Bahraini Air Force’s ‘First Response Vehicle’ was another home-grown product displayed at BIDEC, which is capable of approaching an accident scene at very high speed with all necessary fire fighting equipment. Based again on a Toyota, Hilux 4x4, the vehicle equipped with five different types of fire extinguishers and a generator can pump up to 150-litres of water and 20 litres of foam sufficient for 5 minutes of operation.
The vehicle also can make use of external sources. Other players had also come up with vehicles based on Toyota models. Turkish Company Aselsan displayed a Toyota Land Cruiser fitted with remote weapon station Aselsan SARP-L. The Aselsan SARL-L is a fully stabilised weapon platform that can be armed with a 7.62mm or 5.56 mm calibre machine gun. The system is operated using a joystick from inside the vehicle.
Growth opportunity
Bahrain Defence Force is continuing to diversify its product development strategy as it enhances its scope of operations.
National Security Advisor and Commander of the Royal Guard Major General HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa speaking on Bahrain’s Armour Personnel Carrier (APC) production said: “We will encourage this industry; we will encourage our investors from the private sector and we are putting the right structure for this industry and God willing as per the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa we will go forward and see a local role in defense production.”
As Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, the head of the Middle East Military Technology Conference (MEMTEC), said: “BIDEC acted as an ideal platform for BDF as well as other global players to launch their latest innovative products and solutions while providing a boost to localisation drive.”
Related Posts