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Cavalier Group unveils Hamza 6×6 Multi-Role Combat Vehicle
Pakistan’s Cavalier Group revealed the Hamza 6×6 Multi-Role Combat Vehicle (MCV) at the 2017 Bahrain International Defence Exhibition and Conference (BIDEC), which is taking place this week in Manama until October 18.
The Hamza 6×6 appears to be a variant of the Hamza 8×8 MCV, which was revealed at Pakistan’s biennially-held defence exhibition IDEAS in November 2016. Cavalier positioned the Hamza 8×8 as a multi-mission solution with under-chassis blast protection of STANAG 4569 Level-4B.
The Hamza 8×8 also had armament options in the form of a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun, 30 mm cannon, anti-tank guided missiles, very short-range air defence guns or mortar firing system.
It does not appear that the Pakistan Army proceeded with the Hamza 8×8. It is unclear if the Hamza 6×6 is meant for export or is a revised offering to Pakistan. Cavalier’s marketing material for BIDEC also has illustrations of another 6×6 AFV and two light armoured vehicles, including one that appears to be a utility vehicle analogous to the Humvee.
The Hamza-series is borne from Blitzkrieg Defence Solutions, a collaborative effort between Cavalier and the U.K.-based Jankel Armouring. In its marketing material, Cavalier states, “In the face of high demand for blast and Anti-Mine protected vehicles, the company has also invested heavily in the development of a family of Multi-Role Combat Vehicles in 8×8, 6×6 and 4×4 configuration.”
Notes & Comments:
The Pakistan Army had listed several armoured vehicle requirements. However, locally designed and/or produced vehicles were not forthcoming. On several occasions, the Army opted to import vehicles, such as MaxxPro DASH MRAPs from the U.S. Turkey’s BMC also told MSI Turkish Defence Review that it was in talks with Pakistan on the Vuran 4×4 multi-purpose armoured vehicle.
However, internal efforts are underway. The recent Pakistan Ministry of Defence Production report lists the development of a Light Armed Vehicle Assault (LAVA) platform by Military Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (MVRDE). The extent of Cavalier’s continuing investment in the Blitzkrieg initiative is unclear, especially in terms of its 4×4 and 8×8 designs. A complete family of armoured vehicles (i.e. 4×4, 6×6 and 8×8), especially with common parts, could be a viable consideration for Pakistan as that would reduce maintenance costs and simplify logistics. However, it is unclear how much traction Cavalier has with current and emerging Army procurement requirements.
Besides the Army, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior arms (e.g. Rangers, the Frontier Corps, etc) are also using light armoured vehicles of various types, from MRAP to internal security vehicles (ISV) produced by Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT).
10 Comments
by Syed Arbab Shah
What’s stopping Pakistan from directly asking for help and JV from South Africa?
If the Naval chief can visit South Africa and express interest in Umkhonto missiles then certainly the Army chief can do the same for MRAPs.
No need to reinvent the wheel, so for the time being we can import MRAPs off the shelf and later TOTs aswel.
LIFE OF A SOLDIER VS SLOW AND PAINFUL R & D PROCESS.
by Hashim Rasheed
This is good news that Pakistan has got locally manufactured vehicles, and the sooner they are adopted, the better. Pakistan seems to be in a perpetual war against terrorists on the western front, and use of these locally developed vehicles in an active hostile scenario would also prompt interest from abroad. Pakistan can enter the export market for these items, just like Turkey is making it in all things defense related.
by Jean Racine
And South Africa’s Denel has proved willing to part with IP. Latest example being the Denel RG-35 whose IP was sold to the UAE, and is now produced as the NIMR Jais.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/46d33486cc1b60e77ec6f753c5ad991768497cf8d88ca5861b05244e10d02310.jpg
by Faisal Jawaid
The forces are not buying local product. How the local industry prevail?
Ultimately we end up relying on foreign products.
by ali amanat
Good news but if pakistani armed forces are not preferring local vendors they cant prevail more need to encourage ,facilitate and invest more in local industry to come up with more sophisticated and advance weapon systems for local as well as for export.
by Shehryar Awan
A great step forward for Pakistan, and Pakistan’s defence industry in particular.
With the introduction of this vehicle, Pakistan can now not only rely on domestic products, but also can begin tempting other nations to invest in this product.
by Syed Arbab Shah
UAE is a friendly country to Pakistan aswel.
We can get them from UAE at a good nominal price.
Specs of Hamza 6×6 are not yet out but can you compare NIMR 6×6 with Hamza 6×6?
by Jean Racine
I can only direct you to this Denel document on the RG-35 6×6.
The only detail missing is that additional 120 millimetres (4.7 in) thick armour can be added to the V-hull, while 50 millimetres (2.0 in) thick additional armour can be added to the sides.
http://admin.denel.co.za/uploads/9b02e465094870213dcea99c7e7a19c8.pdf
by ahmad bhutta
Better than the death traps hilux we send our forces into
by 321
At the very least these should be provided to the FC and Rangers, especially the former. That way even if they’re not up to the army’s standards, those two forces will get better protection than what they have right now and for a low cost. This will also support the Cavalier group’s R&D efforts to produce a better product.