# Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering Barys 8×8 combat vehicle completes intensive four-year trial

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2021/11/kazakhstan-paramount-engineering-barys-8x8-combat-vehicle-completes-intensive-four-year-trial/
- Published: 2021-11-04T10:40:00+01:00
- Author: Military Africa

Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, 2 November 2021 – Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering (KPE),
the joint venture between the global aerospace and technology company, Paramount
Group and one of Kazakhstan’s leading defence and engineering companies, Kazpetromash,
has announced that its flagship and next generation 8×8 Infantry Combat Vehicle (
ICV), the Barys 8×8, has successfully completed a four-year series of trials conducted
by the Ministry of Defence of Kazakhstan, bringing the vehicle a step closer to 
its first production order.

The Barys (‘Snow Leopard’ in Kazakh) is the localised version of Paramount Group’s
Mbombe 8 (ICV) and was unveiled for the first time at the KADEX Exhibition of 2016.

![](military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/IMG-20211104-WA0002-1024x682.jpg)

Barys 8×8 IFV

Over the span of four years, the Barys was tested throughout the mountainous terrains
of Southern Kazakhstan, across forested and savannah-like steppe and the salt marshes
of Central Kazakhstan. The campaign came to conclusion upon the sands of Mangistau,
near the Caspian Sea, covering a total distance of 25,000 km.

In addition to testing the outstanding mobility and versatility of Barys, its firepower
was also tested to the ultimate, with more than 5,000 rounds of 30 mm and 7,000 
rounds of 7.62 calibre ammunition discharged.

The Barys 8×8 had previously undergone strenuous testing activities in adverse weather
conditions across Central Asia, withstanding temperatures between +45º and -60ºC
during summer and winter trials.

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Proof positive of the 27-year legacy of the Paramount Group-pioneered portable manufacturing
model, the Barys 8×8 ICV is manufactured in-country within Kazakhstan, at the 15,000m2
KPE armoured vehicle production facility in Nursultan. The facility is today recognised
as one of the largest and most modern armoured vehicle factories in Eurasia, notably
the only throughout the region capable of producing such next generation Infantry
Combat Vehicles.

Operated by over two-hundred Kazakhstani employees, the facility has for years served
as a hub of localised manufacture and a centralised base for the provision of modern
equipment to Kazakhstan’s Special Operations Forces and its Ministry of Defense,
providing the capacity to produce hundreds of armoured vehicles per year.

![](military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/IMG-20211104-WA0001-1024x682.jpg)

John Craig, Executive Chairman of Paramount Land Systems Group, stated, “The Barys
8×8 has undergone uniquely challenging and extensive testing over the course of 
the past four years. Its successful completion of this campaign is an important 
milestone in the success story of Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering (KPE). This further
demonstrates the advanced potential of Kazakhstan’s defence industry, offering state-
of-the-art facilities and high level skills for the development of indigenously 
manufactured defence technologies to the wider region”.

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Barys 8×8 is a multi-purpose armoured vehicle, offering for its crew of up to 11(
including a driver, two crew members and eight infantry troops) advanced technological
solutions to address regional threats in often harsh and rugged environments. The
vehicle was built-for-purpose to meet the increasing demands in the region for versatility,
high mobility and the need for mine-resistant platforms.

While providing a maximum speed of 110 km/hr and an operating range of 800 km, the
Barys 8×8 offers a payload of up to 9 tonnes, and hosts unsurpassed STANAG 4569 
Level 4B protection against mines, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and roadside
shell-less landmines, as but examples. The anti-mine flat bottom of the Barys 8 
further allows its silhouette to be reduced to 2.4 meters, providing additional 
advantages in combat, as well as protecting against the excessive force of improvised
explosive devices.

Craig added, “The Barys 8 is a breakthrough for the region and one that allows us
to perpetually integrate next-generation technologies that will ensure the platform
remains on the cutting-edge of the defence and security landscape, meeting the demands
of regional armed forces. The Barys 8×8 is also a testament to the exceptional capabilities
of our partners at Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering.”

Special ‘anti-mine’ seats have been designed and equipped within the Barys 8 to 
prevent injury to the crew during extreme acceleration, which can take place due
to the effects of an explosion near or directly under the vehicle.

The Barys 8 further sports an ‘Ansar’ manned combat automatic system, wholly produced
in Kazakhstan; a remotely controlled turret variant with a 30-mm 2A72 automatic 
gun equipped with stabilizing barrel support, a twin 7.62-mm PKT(M) machine gun,
ammunition storage, feeding and loading system, and 81-mm smoke grenade launchers.
The installation of ATGM launchers can also be provided.

The vehicle’s retractable searching and tracking system is equipped with a television
camera, thermal imager, laser rangefinder, night vision devices and a weather station.
In addition, a missile guidance unit can be installed, capable of addressing low-
flying aerial targets.

Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering (KPE) looks to further bolster the Eurasian nation’s
industrial capability in future by expanding into new land, aerial and maritime 
production lines.

Craig concluded, “KPE has served as a direct proponent of high-skills job creation
and for the establishment of centers of innovation and excellence in Kazakhstan 
and greater Eurasia; these are benchmarks which we look forward to building upon
and expanding in future”.

![](military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/IMG-20211104-WA0000-1024x682.jpg)

## About Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering (KPE)

Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering (KPE) is the joint venture between Paramount Group,
the global technology and aerospace company, and Kazpetromash, a leading defence
company in Kazakhstan. KPE is one of the leading defence companies in Kazakhstan
and the greater CIS region.

## About Paramount Group

Paramount Group is the African-based global technology and aerospace business. It
is a leader in defence and security innovation and is a trusted partner to sovereign
governments across the globe.

Paramount specialises in the creation of portable manufacturing facilities through
technology and skills transfer, resulting in new local capabilities and sustainable
jobs, proven to not only benefit local defence industrial capabilities but economic
diversification and growth.

Paramount Group has been responsible for the development and production of a broad
range of highly advanced armored and mine protected vehicles that are in operation
around the world. The family of APC and combat vehicles which has been developed
from clean-sheet design is at the vanguard of armored vehicle technologies. These
vehicles have been designed and developed to meet the increasing demand for multi-
role, high mobility, and mine hardened platforms, providing a solution to the ever-
changing demands of the global battlefield.

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