Bruisertech, a South African company, and Poland’s WB Group are partnering to offer the Bruiser 212 armored personnel carrier as the Combatmate on the export market.
The duo hopes to take on the International MRAP market with the Bruiser 212-based Combatmate which was premiered at the recent MSPO (International Defence Industry Exhibition) 2021 defense show in Poland.
The Combatmate armored vehicle leverage South Africa’s technical expertise in radio communications, and vehicular systems.
The Bruiser 212 itself is based on the Bruiser 112 armored vehicle first unveiled in May 2019, but featuring improved armor protection, an upgraded engine and transmission, and weapon systems, according to Johnny Chabalala, Marketing Director at Bruisertech during the MSPO 2021.
“The Combatmate is a combination of the South African vehicle Bruiser 212 and the system that is supplied by our Polish partners, WB Group. We design and manufacture the vehicle and we supplied the vehicle as is to the partners here in Poland…and then they went and integrated their systems. They integrated the remote control weapons system…and they also integrated a Warmate system, which is a small loitering munition,” Chabalala said.
The Combatmate armored vehicle can carry out a wide variety of roles including reconnaissance, uniformed services, and unmanned systems carrier versions.
Additional offensive capability is in the form of a portable Multirole Warmate TL (Tube Launch) loitering munitions.
The monocoque hull features a V-shaped bottom (120-degree angle), offers STANAG 4569 Level 2 protection, and Level 3(a) and Level 3(b) requirements of the STANAG 4569 for mine resistance.
The Combatmate’s hull also protects the troops seated inside from explosions of up to 50 kilograms of TNT, 5 meters to the side of the vehicle. The bulletproof glass of the vehicle complies with STANAG 4569 Level 2 requirements. The engine bay is also protected (STANAG 4569 Level 1).
The vehicle’s weapons loadout comprises a Remote Weapon Control System (RCWS) that can be armed with an Arex ZSU-03 turret fitted with an M2HB 12.7 mm machinegun, smoke grenade launchers, and equipped with daylight and thermal cameras.
For mobility, Checkmate armored vehicle comes with either an MWM engine, or an Allison transmission with a top speed is 140 km/h and range 1 750 km.
The Bruisertech 212 armored vehicle which the Combatmate is based can carry up to 12 troops (2+10), with the driver and the commander’s seat in the front, with two front doors on both sides of the hull acting as the access points for the interior.
Polish WB Group portfolio includes integrated communication solutions, UAS/UAVs, loitering munitions, and fire control subsystems into robust and agile integrated solutions.