Rabdan Infantry fighting vehicle

[Zarvan]

The Rabdan is the new Emirati wheeled infantry fighting vehicle



Country of origin United Arab Emirates
Entered service ?
Crew 3 men
Personnel 9 men
Dimensions and weight
Weight 28 000 t
Length 8 m
Width 3.25 m
Height 2.3 m
Armament
Main gun 100 mm
Secondary gun 20 mm
ATGW 9M117 Bastion
Machine guns 1 x 7.62 mm
Ammunition load
Main gun 40 rounds
Secondary gun 500 rounds
ATGW 6 missiles
Machine guns 6 000 x 7.62 mm
Mobility
Engine Caterpillar diesel
Engine power 600 hp
Maximum road speed 105 km/h
Amphibious speed on water 10 km/h
Range 700 km
Maneuverability
Gradient 60%
Side slope 30%
Vertical step 0.6 m
Trench 2 m
Fording Amphibious


The Rabdan is a new 8x8 wheeled infantry fighting vehicle. It is a modified Emirati version of a Turkish Otokar Arma 8x8 armored personnel carrier. A number of years ago UAE purchased around 650 BMP-3 tracked infantry fighting vehicles from Russia. These were delivered between 1992 and 2000. The UAE is the largest export operator of this Russian infantry fighting vehicle. Recently Emirati MoD issued request for a new 8x8 armored vehicle, that would be more mobile, but retain formidable firepower of the BMP-3. In 2017 United Arab Emirates (UAE) ordered a total of 400 Rabdan infantry vehicles from a local company Al-Jasur, which is a joint venture between Otokar Land Systems of Turkey and Heavy Vehicles Industries of the UAE.

The Rabdan is a further development of the Arma, fitted with a complete two-man turret of the Russian BMP-3M tracked infantry fighting vehicle. Also the Rabdan is fitted with add-on armor kit and is better protected than the baseline Arma armored personnel carrier. The Emirati vehicle weights 28 t, opposed to 24 t of a baseline Turkish Arma 8x8. Maximum weight is 30 t, so the Rabdan still has got some growth potential. Also it is slightly longer and wider than the Arma, in order to fit the turret.

This wheeled IFV packs a formidable punch. It is armed with a fully-stabilized 2A70 100 mm gun, capable of firing ordinary HE-FRAG projectiles, as well as 9M117 Bastion laser-guided anti-armor missiles. The 9M117 missile has a maximum range of 4 - 5.5 km. It penetrates up to 550-750 mm of rolled homogenous armor equivalency after ERA, providing this IFV a considerable anti-armor capability. Ordinary HE-FRAG rounds have a maximum range of up to 7 km, though these munitions are typically used on closer ranges. Vehicle is completed with an semi-automatic loader and has a maximum rate of 10 rounds per minute. A total of 40 rounds and 6 missiles are carried for the main gun.

There is also a coaxial 2A72 30 mm cannon and 7.62 mm machine gun. The 30 mm cannon fires at a rate of 330 rpm and has a maximum range of 2 km against ground targets and 4 km against low-flying helicopters.

Protection of the Rabdan is equivalent to that of the tracked BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle. The Rabdan has a welded steel armor hull. It offers all-round ballistic protection for the crew and occupants against 14.5 armor-piercing rounds. Front arc withstands hits from heavier weapons. Vehicle withstands explosions of 155 mm artillery shells detonating 30 m away. This wheeled IFV survives mine blasts and improvised explosive devices equivalent to 10 kg of TNT anywhere under the hull or under any wheel. Most likely that NBC protection and automatic fire suppression systems are fitted.

This wheeled infantry fighting vehicle is operated by a crew of 3, including commander, gunner and driver. It can carry 9 fully-equipped troops. Dismounts enter and leave the vehicle via rear doors. Also there are roof hatches for observation, firing and emergency exit. Commander and driver use their own doors, located on the left side of the hull.

This wheeled IFV is powered by a Caterpillar 12.5-liter turbocharged diesel engine, developing 600 hp. It could be a Caterpillar C9.3 diesel engine, which is used on some of the latest 8x8 armored vehicles. Engine is located at the front of the hull. It is mated to an Allison automatic transmission with 6 forward and 1 reverse speeds. The Rabdan uses 8x4 configuration on hard surface roads for maximum range, but switches to 8x8 off-road for maximum cross-country mobility. Both two front axles are steerable. Vehicle is fitted with a central tyre inflation system and run-flat tyres.

The Rabdan is fully amphibious. On water it is propelled by two waterjets. Amphibious speed on water is up to 10 km/h. It has been reported that all Rabdan IFVs will have amphibious capability as standard. Though on other armored vehicles of this family this capability will be optional.

This Emirati wheeled IFV can be airlifted by a C-130 Hercules or larger military transport aircraft.

The UAE plans to field various variants of the Rabdan. The baseline 8x8 vehicle can be adapted to suit many battlefield roles.



Variants



Armored personnel carrier with a shielded 12.7 mm machine gun position on the roof. It has a crew of 2 and can carry 10 troops.

Rabdan
Infantry Fighting Vehicle

Rabdan
Infantry Fighting Vehicle

Rabdan
Infantry Fighting Vehicle

Rabdan
Infantry Fighting Vehicle

Rabdan
Infantry Fighting Vehicle

Rabdan
Infantry Fighting Vehicle

Rabdan
Infantry Fighting Vehicle

http://www.military-today.com/apc/rabdan.htm