In order to strengthen its military capabilities, Ukraine has turned to the South African defense company, Paramount Group, for the procurement of the cutting-edge Mbombe 6 6×6 armoured vehicles. The Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, witnessed a demonstration of these vehicles on April 18, 2024, alongside other modernized military equipment.
The Mbombe 6 seen in the video is a demonstration vehicle that was exported before the Russian invasion in February 2022. The vehicle was sent to Ukraine with all the necessary National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC) permits from the South African government but could not return due to the conflict. Paramount said permit validity had been extended to next year as a result.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskii said during the demonstration of the vehicles, hinting of possible Ukrainian production of the Mbombe and other vehicles on display “Weapons and military equipment created by Ukrainians. We with the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov had the opportunity to get acquainted and evaluate new models of weapons and military equipment and the possibilities of their prospective use on the battlefield.”
The Mbombe 6, a state-of-the-art Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV), is engineered to carry up to 11 personnel while providing superior protection with STANAG 4569 level 4 armor. This formidable armor is capable of withstanding explosions equivalent to 10 kilograms of TNT AEI and rocket-propelled grenades of up to 50 kilograms from a distance of five meters.
Ukraine’s Mbombe 6 vehicles are expected to be equipped with the BM-5 turret, a versatile weapon system developed locally and previously integrated on the BMP-1TS. The BM-5 turret, also known as Spis or Spear, is a product of Techimpex and boasts a modular design that allows for easy installation on various armored platforms without modifications to the remote-control weapon station.
The turret is armed with a 30mm ZTM-1 autocannon, a 30mm KBA-117 automatic grenade launcher, and four laser-beam-guided, 130mm anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), providing adaptability and formidable firepower. It also includes a 7.62mm PKT machine gun and smoke grenades for additional cover and protection. With an ammunition load of 300 autocannon shells, 116 grenade launcher rounds, and 2,100 machine gun cartridges, the BM-5 turret is well-prepared for sustained combat engagements.
The acquisition of the Mbombe 6×6 ICV is set to significantly enhance the protection of Ukrainian troops as they continue to confront Russian forces. Amid escalating global tensions, the demand for advanced armored vehicles has surged, leading Paramount to conduct market research that forecasts a revival in global armored vehicle spending. Between 2022 and 2035, the market is expected to see expenditures of approximately $25.6 billion on various armored vehicle programs.
Paramount’s Mbombe armored vehicle family stands at the forefront of this demand, offering unparalleled protection and safety for military personnel. The company, headquartered in the UAE, has already secured orders for the Mbombe 6 from defense forces in Latin America and the Southern African Development Community (SADEC). The announcement was made at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) event in London, where it was revealed that over 20 next-generation ICVs are in production, with deliveries already in progress.
In a related development, the Ecuadorian Army has recently taken delivery of the first batch of Mbombe 6×6 armored vehicles, marking a new era in the region’s defense capabilities.