ST Engineering Enters Central Asian Market with Amphibious Armored Vehicle Production in Kazakhstan

Photo: Creative Commons

Singapore-based ST Engineering has joined forces with Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering (KPE) to establish production capabilities for a new 8×8 amphibious multi-purpose armored vehicle in Kazakhstan.

It includes providing engineering and technical support for the vehicle’s design and production, The Caspian Post reports, citing The Defense Post.

The platform will be based on ST’s field-tested Terrex Infantry Fighting Vehicle, with production starting from 2025.

“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,” President of Land Systems business at ST Engineering Lim Kok Ann said.

The collaboration seeks to marry the companies’ respective strengths to offer a capable solution to the Kazakhstan Armed Forces.

“KPE’s production capabilities stand at 500 units of various types of armoured vehicles per year per shift and our extensive experience in deep localisation, scientific research, and the operation of armoured vehicles in Kazakhstan’s unique geographic conditions, together with ST Engineering, will enable us to fully meet the needs of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan for amphibious 8×8 vehicles,” Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering Aibek Baryssov added.

The network-centric vehicle offers protection, weapons configurations, and vehicular customisation.

It can be configured with a remote control weapons system armed with a 0.5 inch (12.7 mm) heavy machine gun, a coaxial 40mm/7.62 machine gun (equipped with 40mm Air Bursting Munitions System) or a 30mm cannon.

An integrated all-round camera system provides situation awareness around the vehicle and a closed hatch operation capability in day and night conditions.

Closed hatch capability allows crews to locate, identify, track, and engage adversaries without the commander having to raise his head out of the turret.

Moreover, the platform’s digital architecture allows the integration of additional technological capabilities such as the vehicle navigation system, battle management system, power control management and state-of-the-art data and communication systems.