SIBMAS
| SIBMAS | |
|---|---|
|
SIBMAS AFSV-90 | |
| Type | Infantry fighting vehicle |
| Place of origin |
.svg.png){kind=small} Belgium |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 16 tonnes |
| Length | 7.32 m |
| Width | 2.5 m |
| Height | 2.77 m (Including turret) |
| Crew | 3 (+11 passenger) |
|
| |
Main armament | Cockerill Mk III 90mm gun |
Secondary armament | 7.62 mm anti-aircraft machine gun; 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun; |
| Engine |
Diesel turbocharge MAN D 2566 MK 6-inline cylinder 320 hp |
| Power/weight | 20 hp/tonne |
| Suspension | 6×6 wheeled |
Operational range | 1000 km |
| Speed |
100 km/h (road) 11 km/h (water) |
SIBMAS is a Belgian infantry fighting vehicle engineered from the same prototype as the South African Ratel and intended primarily for export. In appearance the vehicle is also similar to the Chinese WZ523. The basic model is armed with a turret-mounted 90mm cannon and a co-axial 7.62mm machine gun fitted parallel with the main armament. Due to the ergonomic nature of its design, the vehicle's motor may be swapped in under thirty minutes and incorporates a number of commercially available components.
The SIBMAS ultimately failed to duplicate the export success of its Ratel counterpart and was only operated by the Malaysian Army, which continues to maintain a limited fleet in active service.
History
In 1971, the South African Defence Force released a requirement for a new infantry fighting vehicle. Bids were accepted from several companies, including a prominent West German automobile manufacturer, Büssing. After evaluating a number of alternatives, including the EE-11 Urutu and the Berliet VXB-170, South Africa purchased the rights to Büssing's multi-axled prototype and incorporated a number of its most significant features into an indigenous IFV, the Ratel. Büssing subsequently sold the same design to Belgium.[1]
BN Constructions Ferroviaries et Métalliques started developing the SIBMAS from these plans in 1975 with the first prototype completed in 1976. The SIBMAS was developed solely for export market and Malaysia is the only customer. Malaysia ordered 186 units with the delivery started from June 1983 to early 1985. The model are still in active service with the Malaysian army.
Variants
- SIBMAS AFSV-90 ( Armoured Fire Support Vehicle ) - This variant is armed with 90 mm gun which is used as a fire support vehicle. The gun is integrated with CM90 CMI two-man turret from Belgium with the addition of a FN MAG 7.62×51mm coaxial machine gun and an anti-aircraft machine gun. Fire control system is LRS 5 from OIP Sensor Systems.
- SIBMAS ARV ( Armoured Recovery Vehicle ) - A recovery vehicle and equipped with a crane with lifting capacity up to 10,500 kg. The towing winch is installed at the front of the vehicle with pulling load up to 20,000 kg. This variant did not carry any troop but has two crew and a commander who also operate the vehicle recovery equipment.[2]
User
Malaysian Army - 186 units
- 162 SIBMAS AFSV-90
- 24 SIBMAS ARV
Malaysian army operate the SIBMAS in four battalion where it will jointly operate with the Condor 4×4 armoured personnel carrier.
References
- ↑ Landgren, Signe. Embargo Disimplemented: South Africa's Military Industry (1989 ed.). Oxford University Press. pp. 83–85. ISBN 978-0-19-829127-5.
- ↑ SIBMAS armoured personnel carrier (Belgium), letzter Zugriff am 24. Mai 2010
External links
- SIBMAS Technical DataSheet and pictures to Army Recognition site
- SIBMAS at GlobalSecurity.org.