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Otokar Rabdan

2017 ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIER MODERN

The Story of Otokar Rabdan

RABDAN is based on Turkey's Otokar ARMA series of modular, multi-role, multi-wheeled armoured combat vehicles (AFVs), which are detailed elsewhere on this website. It is an improved version specially designed for the UAE Army, with a slightly increased structural size to better match the 100mm armed turret of the Soviet-Russian BMP-3 tracked infantry fighting vehicle (IFV).

As a result, the RABDAN retains all the great performance and tactical flexibility qualities of the original ARMA series, but with improved far-field firepower.

The United Arab Emirates has contracted up to 700 RABDAN 8x8 vehicles to operate alongside their existing fleet of BMP-3 tracked vehicles. The new car will be built in partnership with local UAE group Al-Jasur and Turkish company Otokar.

The shift to wheeled combat units has become the norm on the battlefield today, hampered by shrinking world spending budgets after the Cold War.

The RABDAN weighs 28 tons, more than the 24 tons of the original ARMA class, and has structural dimensions including a total barrel length of 8 meters, a width of 3.25 meters, and a height of 2.3 meters (making it air transportable for C-130 Hercules or similar vehicles) abdomen). The interior of the truck is driven by a crew of three (driver, commander and gunner) and has sheltered seats for up to 9 infantrymen in combat gear in the rear passenger compartment/fighting compartment. The driver sits in the front left of the fuselage, while the commander and gunner sit in the two-man powered turret above the fuselage.

Powered loading door ramps on the rear hull panels provided quick access for these combatants, while various hatches were installed along the top of the hull and on top of the turret for other occupants. There is also a rectangular (hinged) door on the port side of the hull wall.

Ballistic/armor protection for crew and passengers is against small arms (up to 14.5mm caliber) as well as artillery "spray".

The turret is located in the top center section of the hull and deploys its 100mm autocannon as the default primary weapon. In addition to a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, it also carries a 20mm coaxial automatic cannon as a secondary weapon. A 7.62mm secondary gun can also be fitted for additional anti-infantry capability. A total of six smoke grenade launchers were placed in two rows of three launchers at each "cheek" position of the turret, giving the truck self-protection capabilities. Like other Soviet-Russian-inspired weapon systems, the RABDAN's turret can fire missiles - in this case the 9M117 Bastion Anti-Tank Missile (ATGM) - giving it long-range quality; mm barrel firing.

The aircraft can carry up to 40 x 100mm and 500 x 20mm bullets to service the 20mm automatic cannon. The mounted machine gun has six ATGM missile reloads and ammunition casings up to 6,000x7.62mm - all in addition to any personal weapons carried by the crew and passengers.

Power comes from a liquid-cooled turbocharged Caterpillar diesel engine producing 600 hp, giving the RABDAN a top speed of 105 km/h and a range of up to 700 km. The engine is located in the front right of the fuselage, opposite the driver's position.

The 8x8 wheeled Natur has full suspension for off-road driving and on-road comfort, while the front two axles are steerable. The tires are run-flat and are managed by the driver through a central tire pressure system.

Good wheel spacing and optimal ground clearance, combined with the hull design, provide protection against mines and improvised explosive devices.

The RABDAN has a traditional amphibious feature built in, a snorkel to drain the engine, a bow-mounted trim piece, and a pair of hull-mounted water jets to propel the boat through the water source (albeit at a greatly reduced speed). ). Such operations require some preparation by the crew. In addition, standard equipment includes an NBC (Nuclear Biochemical) kit, air conditioning and a fire suppression system.