Egypt has unveiled a new wheeled armoured vehicle, the Temsah-6, at the Egypt Defence Expo (EDEX) 2023, which took place in Cairo from December 11 to 14. The Temsah-6, which means crocodile in Arabic, is the latest member of the Temsah family of vehicles developed by the Vehicle Department of the Engineering Industrial Complex of the Egyptian Ministry of Defence.
The Temsah-6 is designed to meet the requirements of the Egyptian Army, which needs a versatile and robust platform that can perform various missions, such as casualty evacuation, electronic warfare, air defence, and command post. The vehicle has a combat weight of 16,700 kg and can carry up to nine personnel, including the driver and the commander. It is based on a Navistar chassis, powered by a 369 hp engine and an automatic transmission, which allow it to reach a maximum speed of 85 km/h and a maximum range of 500 km on road. It is also equipped with a central tire inflation system and run-flat tires for enhanced mobility and survivability.
The Temsah-6 features a steel chassis with large windows and firing ports, enabling the occupants to use their individual weapons from inside the vehicle, in accordance with the Egyptian military doctrine. The vehicle also has a high level of protection, with a base ballistic protection of BR6, which can be upgraded to BR7, and a mine protection of level 3 a/b according to STANAG 4569. Additionally, the vehicle has anti-blast seats for all occupants, as well as a remotely controlled weapon station, which can mount various weapons and sensors. The vehicle also has three external cameras for daytime situational awareness and a night vision camera for the driver, who can view the images on a 9-inch screen.
The Temsah-6 has successfully completed all the Army trials and has been certified by Navistar, the company representatives said at EDEX 2023. The vehicle is now ready for production at the company facilities, and a contract from the Egyptian Ministry of Defence is expected soon. The Temsah-6 is expected to enhance the capabilities and the modernization of the Egyptian Army, as well as to boost the domestic defence industry.
Egyptian defence companies are relying on defence exhibitions and show to corral potential customers into taking an interest in their products. At the EDEX 2023 defence exhibition, which was held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Egypt companies displayed a plethora of capabilities ranging from armoured vehicles to naval, unmanned and electronic solutions. Cairo’s participation at this event highlights progress in the homegrown defence industrial complex which is now able to supply the most cutting-edge requirements to the military, thereby reducing reliance on foreign suppliers. Egypt’s military-industrial complex has enjoyed burgeoning growth since the last decade owing to sustained government support, and a need to keep the military forces modernized and in top fighting shape.
Temsah (Crocodile) series armoured vehicles
Egypt first unveiled the Temsah family of armoured vehicles at the EDEX 2021 defence exhibition. The Temsah is designed primarily to be used by the military for convoy protection, border patrol, counterinsurgency, troop transportation, medical evacuation, and command control vehicle.
Egypt’s TEMSAH (meaning “Crocodile” in arabic) armoured vehicle family has today expanded to five vehicles comprising of;
- Temsah 1
- Temsah 2 (Temsah Bus)
- Temsah 3 Protected Patrol Vehicle
- Light Temsah
- Temsah 4
- Temsah-5
- Temsah-6.
Temsah 1 armoured vehicle
The Temsah-1 is a 4×4 Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected (MRAP) vehicle with a GVW (gross vehicle weight) of 13.3 tonnes including 2,200kg payload, it can transport six dismounts in addition to a crew of two. The vehicle is powered by a 230hp turbo-diesel engine, the vehicle is said to have a top speed of 80km/hr (50mph) when fully loaded and a range of 600km (375 miles).
Providing a BR7 protection level; its V-hull gives landmine protection while the hull is protected against 7.62 mm armour piercing rounds and splinters, while mine protection is STANAG Level 4, soldiers can fire their individual weapon through a gun port. Three four day/night cameras are installed for all round surveillance; the images being shown on a 9” screen in the crew compartment.
Temsah 2 (Temsah Bus) armoured vehicle
Leveraging on the experience gained from the Temsah-1, the Egypt developed the Temsah-2, which is basically a stretched version of the Temsah 1, with most technical data remaining the same except for the engine output, increased to 240 hp, the GVW (gross vehicle weight) now 16.475 tons with 2.675 tonnes payload, and the crew, the vehicle carrying two extra soldiers, with the addition of two more weapon ports in the rear compartment. Egypt has commenced serial production of it’s indigenous Temsah-3 armoured vehicles at the Factory 200 Tank plant.
Temsah 3 Protected Patrol Vehicle (PPV)
The Temsah 3 PPV is noticeably smaller than the rest of the family, it was unveiled at the EDEX 18. Weighing 6.4 tonnes, including 1,400kg payload, the 4×4 TEMSAH 3 is powered by a 6.5 litre, 205hp turbo-diesel engine providing a road speed of 110km/hr (69mph) and cruising range of 440km (275 miles). Ballistic protection is BR6 and up to four passengers can be carried in addition to the crew of two. The vehicle is equipped with a Remote Weapon Station, and mounted soldiers can fire their weapons through gun ports at the side ports at both side of the vehicle.
Light Temsah armoured vehicle
The Light Temsah is a 3.2 tonnes vehicle with a 500 kg payload capable of carrying two crew member and three soldiers under a BR6 protected cell. The 235 mm ground clearance suggests that it does not have any mine protection capability. The Light Temsah features three gun ports, and powered by a gasoline engine providing 228 hp, which gives it a considerable power-to-weight ratio allowing a maximum speed of 165 km/h.
Temsah-4 armoured vehicle
The Temsah-4 4×4 armoured vehicle was unveiled on 6 December by the Kader Factory for Developed Industries, part of the Egyptian Ministry of Defence Industrial Engineering Complex, and it is optimized for special operations and security forces.
Similar in size to the Temsah 1 armoured vehicle first unveiled in 2015, the Temsah 4 hull is protected against 7.62 mm armor piercing rounds and splinters, it can transport six soldiers in addition to a crew of two. The vehicle features a roof-mounted day/night and infrared camera system for reconnaissance and surveillance missions.
Temsah 5
The Temsah 5 armoured vehicle was unveiled on Thursday 4 February 2021 by the Kader Factory for Developed Industries, part of the Egyptian Ministry of Defence Industrial Engineering Complex.
The Temsah 5 armoured vehicle was built on the vast experienced gains during the construction as well as the field operation of the previous variants. The vehicle is optimized for special operations and security forces. The Temsah 5 armoured vehicle is similar in design and role to the Temsah-1 and Temsah-4. It’s hull is protected against 7.62 mm armor piercing rounds. It can transport five soldiers including a crew of two. Its turret can mount various types of weapons including a 12.7 mm machine gun.