# Successful test of Tunisia’s indigenous Barb MRAP

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2021/10/successful-test-of-tunisias-indigenous-barb-mrap/
- Published: 2021-10-15T11:05:54+01:00
- Author: Darek Liam

The Tunisian military has successfully carried out state trials on the ballistic
and explosive properties of the homemade Barb mine-resistance and ambush-protected
vehicle (MRAP) in view of starting mass production of the vehicle.

This activity is part of a sustained effort to ramp up local production of essential
military hardware amid strengthening its military’s capabilities.

 military.africa/2020/06/tunisian-army-unveils-locally-made-barb-mrap

Named after the native horse breeds found in Tunisia, the [Barb MRAP was unveiled](https://www.military.africa/2021/10/successful-test-of-tunisias-indigenous-barb-mrap/military.africa/2020/06/tunisian-army-unveils-locally-made-barb-mrap)
by the Tunisian President Kai’s Saied at the Carthage Palace on June 26, 2020, during
its 64th Army anniversary celebration.

According to the Tunisian Ministry of Defense, the manufacture of the Barb MRAP 
did not exceed 20% of its actual price if it was acquired from foreign markets.

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“The manufacturing experience also allowed it to achieve a national integration 
rate exceeding 60% and achieving a qualitative leap from the stage of renewal to
the stage of manufacturing, design training, and the completion of a new technical
information system for this type of vehicle.”

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In building the Barb MRAP, the Tunisian MoD established military vehicles manufacturing
system which is outlined as follows; carrying out preliminary technical studies 
and completing the necessary designs and computer simulations, choosing the components
of the vehicle after determining the operational and technical characteristics, 
making a prototype to test it to confirm the studies and modify them according to
the results of the experiments, making a second model after making the necessary
modifications and then subjecting it again to the field and ballistic experiments
using simulations, determining the necessary cost of the project and requesting 
the monitoring of appropriations, establishing a production line in the workshops,
after preparing and equipping them, to fulfill the MRAP needs of the Army from mine-
resistant personnel carriers.

The Barb MRAP layout is conventional wheeled 4×4 vehice featuring a V-shaped hull
design, and blast mitigation seating offering high level of protection against mine
and IED (Improvised Explosive Device) blast. Armament comprised of one 12.7mm heavy
machine gun in an open turret.

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