This is the Barys 8, the 8×8 Infantry Combat Vehicle which is the winterized variant of Paramount’s Mbombe 8. It is seen here undergoing winter trials in Kazakhstan’s extreme winter conditions. The Barys 8 (Snow Leopard in the Kazakh language) represents the pinnacle of land system technologies and was developed to meet the increasing demand for multi-role, high mobility and mine hardened platforms. The winter trials included day and night firing and the Barys 8×8 vehicle was equipped with a Shipunov 2A42 30 mm automatic cannon and a 7.62mm machine gun jointly manufactured by Kazakhstan’s ‘KAE’, which manufactures electro-optic defence equipment and Turkish defence company, Aselsan. The most severe winter conditions prevailed during testing, similar to conditions found in Siberia. During this period the temperature dropped to -45 Celsius with a chill factor of minus 60 Celsius, resulting in serious challenges to man and machine while conquering up to 750mm of soft snow.
Based on a mine-hardened militarised chassis, the vehicle is offered in an 8×8 wheel configuration. It can accommodate a maximum of 11 members, including a driver, two crew members and eight infantry troops. The Barys 8×8 features a 12kW air-conditioner with a climate control system, which allows the troops inside to operate in extreme temperatures. The Barys 8х8 provides a high degree of protection to occupants against land mines, bombs, splinters and other explosives.The armoured vehicle offers STANAG 4569 LEVEL 4В protection against mine blasts. It can withstand a 10kg TNT blast underneath the hull and below the wheels, and can survive up to a 50kg TNT side blast. The ballistic protection features of the vehicle comply with the STANAG 4569 level 3 standards. Nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) protection system can be fitted optionally.
The Barys 8×8 armoured carrier can attain a maximum speed of 100km/h and travel up to a maximum range of 800km. The vehicle can traverse through 900mm-deep water trenches and cross 600mm-high obstacles. It can safely negotiate 60% grade slopes and 40% side slopes. The wheelbase of Barys 8×8 at the front and rear is 2,300mm and 2,550mm respectively. The vehicle has a high ground clearance of 450mm, which enables it to pass through 2,000mm ditches in the ground. The turning circle diameter of the AWV ranges between 22m and 24m. The vehicle features pneumatic disc brakes fitted with an anti-skid braking system (ABS). Its mobility is enhanced by the 16.00 R20 tyres.
