The Armed Forces of Kazakhstan have taken delivery of another batch of 4×4 armored personal carriers (APCs) in the latest in a series of deliveries by Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering that has been running since 2016.
The Arlan, a winterized variant of Paramount Group’s Marauder, is a mine-resistant armored platform (MRAP) designed to perform quick reaction force operations, infantry fire support or long-range border patrol.
To be capable of supporting Kazakhstan’s operations in extreme environments, the vehicle features pre-ignition engine heating and a dynamic temperature control system that can carry personnel safely and comfortably in winter conditions (as low as – 50 degrees Celsius) and summer temperatures (up to 50 degrees Celsius).
The Arlan armored vehicles are all locally manufactured (comprising up to 70% local content) at the 15,000m2 KPE vehicle production facility in Nursultan.
“The COVID-19 pandemic and particularly, its direct ramifications to global supply chains has underscored the critical impetus behind governments honing their home-grown capabilities and emboldening their defense industrial complexes to remain resilient in the face of often-fluctuating circumstances and their exogenous aftershocks,” John Craig, executive chairman of Paramount Land Systems, commented.
The indigenously produced Arlan can withstand the debris and dissipating energy of explosions, with its double-skin spaced armor providing security (including blast protection of STANAG 4569 Level 3a & 3b, stopping power against a 50kg TNT side blast, protecting against roadside bombs and IEDs, and with 8kg blast protection under the hull). It is also capable reaching a speed of up to 120km/hr for a range of 700km.
With a kerb weight of 13,500 kg and a 4,500kg payload, Arlan is capable of climbing gradients of 60% and side slopes of 35%.
The interoperable vehicle, accommodating two crew members and up to seven troops, is further equipped with a nuclear, biological and chemical protection system (NBC) which can address the challenges of radiation dust spread, gas and/or biological attacks, along with a mechanical 12,7 mm turret. The Arlan can carry extra fuel tanks, water and additional combat supplies, with optional add-ons including a winterization kit and central tire inflation system (CTIS), alongside various weapon and fire suppression systems.
