Fahd AFV

Fahd AFV History

Without the industry expertise to design and develop a multipurpose armoured personnel carrier (AFV) from scratch, the Egyptian government commissioned German defender Thyssen Henschel to develop one such product in the 1980s. The result was the TH390 four-wheel drive armoured personnel carrier (APC), which entered service with the Egyptian army in 1986 as "Fahd".

Local production subsequently began at the Kader factory, to which nearly 2,000 such examples were delivered, which were also sold to foreign parties. Fahd is now (2015) in service in a variety of roles beyond its original APC offerings, including Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) forms, Command Vehicles (CVs), and anti-riot platforms equipped with water cannons.

Production of the series started in 1985. Thyssen Henschel has become Rheinmetall Landsysteme.

In its basic form, the Fahd is an unassuming but fully functional ARV design. It offers a crew of two (depending on model) protection from small arms and space for up to 10 passengers as well as bulletproof windows. The muzzle allows the crew to engage the enemy from the outside, and the high ground clearance provides impressive surrounding visibility and obstacle/water crossing.

Since the Fahd is built on an existing Mercedes-Benz truck chassis, the cab is at the front and the passenger compartment is centered at the rear, while an automotive-style roof hatch and hinged doors provide the necessary access to the interior space. 4x4 The wheel arrangement enables all-terrain driving and high speed, enabling the Fahd to perform a variety of missions for government forces and local security forces.

The Central Tyre Pressure Regulation System (CTPRS) provides individual regulation for the driver and is part of the standard equipment. The wheels are also servo-assisted for improved control.

Drive power comes from a turbocharged, liquid-cooled Mercedes-Benz OM-366 LA diesel engine with 275 hp, and its output includes a driving speed of up to 100 km/h and a range of up to 700 km.

The

Fahd 240 branding represents an upgraded version of the Fahd with added armour protection and upgraded engines, and retains a standard operator of 2 and seating for 10. The Fahd 240-30 fits the full two-man turret of the Soviet-era BMP-2 IFV with its 30mm autocannon, expanding the vehicle's tactical uses - the weapon system can also fire AT-series Soviet anti-tank missiles (ATGM), including Spigot and Spandrel missile line.

The versatile Fahd vehicle has evolved beyond its standard APC offering into other useful battlefield forms: minelaying, ambulance, command vehicle (CV), riot platform, and repair and recovery (RAR) system. The mine-laying vehicle model is suitable for the "Nather-2" mine delivery system for anti-tank work, the ambulance carries a crew of three and can accommodate four patients. The CV model includes an extended communications kit and mounts 3 x 7.62mm machine guns for local defense. Riot vehicles are equipped with turret-mounted water cannons and grenade launchers for non-lethal work. A shovel plate was also attached to the front of the hull for breaking barricades.

The vehicle retains a capacity of ten passengers. The RAR variant features a 2-ton boom as well as other special mission equipment.

In addition to its APC form, the Fahd can also function as an Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV). The advanced Fahd 280 was fitted with a 12.7mm/7 turret. 62mm machine gun combination weapon assembly. The crew consists of three people while maintaining the ability to transport passengers.

The Fahd 280-30 is a branch that has a turret-mounted 30mm 2A42 automatic cannon on the rear roof hull for light anti-tank work.

Most Fahd versions can have smoke grenade launchers mounted along the hull or appropriate turret mounts.

To date (2015) Egypt remains the largest operator of its Fahd armoured vehicles, with around 1,400 vehicles of different brands. Kuwait has hundreds, followed by Algeria with at least 200 in circulation. Bangladesh retains about 60 units.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Oman and Sudan are also known to be active users. The Iraqi army, Fahd's former operator, ceased operations in 2003 after the US-led invasion.

The Fahd is slightly better than the larger, more expensive wheeled APCs currently in service elsewhere, making the Fahd a sound investment for the continent's largest standing army.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

Armor

Depends on weapon.

Changes