The Rabdan is a new 8×8 wheeled infantry fighting vehicle developed by Al Jasoor, a joint venture company between Tawazun and Otokar UAE, which is a subsidiary of Otokar. The United Arab Emirates military announced during the IDEX 2017 defence show in Abu Dhabi that it had ordered 400 Rabdan 8×8 armored wheeled vehicles fitted with Russian BMP-3 combat turret. The new RABDAN 8×8 IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicle is now in service with the UAE (United Arab Emirates) armed forces. During the live demonstration for the opening ceremony of IDEX 2019, the defense exhibition in Abu Dhabi, the RABDAN was showed for the first time to the public fitted with a Russian-made BMP-3 turret. The UAE is the largest international operator of BMP-3 vehicles. Between 1992 and 2000 about 600 BMP-3 were delivered.
The Rabdan is a modified Emirati version of a Turkish Otokar Arma 8×8 8×8 wheeled infantry fighting vehicle fitted with the BMP-3 turret with 100mm 2A70 gun capable of firing ordinary HE-FRAG projectiles, as well as 9M117 Bastion laser-guided anti-armor missiles. The 9M117 missile has a maximum range of 4 – 5.5 km. It penetrates up to 550-750 mm of rolled homogenous armor equivalency after ERA, providing this IFV a considerable anti-armor capability. Ordinary HE-FRAG rounds have a maximum range of up to 7 km, though these munitions are typically used on closer ranges. The 30 mm cannon fires at a rate of 330 rpm and has a maximum range of 2 km against ground targets and 4 km against low-flying helicopters. There is also a coaxial 30mm 2A72 automatic cannon and 7,62mm PKT/PKTM machingun .
Protection of the Rabdan is equivalent to that of the tracked BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle. The Rabdan has a welded steel armor hull. It offers all-round ballistic protection for the crew and occupants against 14.5 armor-piercing rounds. Front arc withstands hits from heavier weapons. Vehicle withstands explosions of 155 mm artillery shells detonating 30 m away. This wheeled IFV survives mine blasts and improvised explosive devices equivalent to 10 kg of TNT anywhere under the hull or under any wheel. Most likely that NBC protection and automatic fire suppression systems are fitted. The Rabdan is fully amphibious. On water it is propelled by two waterjets. Amphibious speed on water is up to 10 km/h. It has been reported that all Rabdan IFVs will have amphibious capability as standard. Though on other armored vehicles of this family this capability will be optional.
According first specifications released by the UAE Company Al Jasoor Heavy Vehicles Industries, the Rabdan has the capacity to carry a total 12 military personnel including driver and commander. It has gross vehicle weight (GVW) from 28,000 kg to 30,000 kg. The Rabdan is powered by a Caterpillar 12.5-liter turbocharged diesel engine, developing 600 hp. It could be a Caterpillar C9.3 diesel engine, which is used on some of the latest 8×8 armored vehicles. Engine is located at the front of the hull. It is mated to an Allison automatic transmission with 6 forward and 1 reverse speeds. Vehicle is fitted with a central tyre inflation system and run-flat tyres. The Rabdan can be airlifted by a C-130 Hercules or larger military transport aircraft.
