Sibmas
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| SIBMAS | |
|---|---|
| General characteristics | |
| Crew | 3 (+11 in the APC role) |
| Length | 7.32m |
| Width | 2.5m |
| Height | 2.77m (incl. turret) |
| Weight | 14,500-18,500kg (combat) |
| Armour and armament | |
| Armour | Classified |
| Main armament | 90 mm Cockerill Mk III gun |
| Secondary armament | coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun and an anti-aircraft 7.62 mm machine gun |
| Mobility | |
| Power plant | MAN D 2566 MK 6-cylinder in-lined water-cooled turbocharged diesel 320hp at 1,900 rpms |
| Suspension | |
| Road speed | 100km/h |
| Power/weight | 20 hp/tonne (at 16,000kg) |
| Range | 1,000km |
SIBMAS (6x6) is a range of Belgian 6X6 armored vehicles, including a 6x6 amphibious armored personnel carrier and fire support vehicle.
Contents |
[edit] History
Cockerill Mechanical Industries is an international group of companies based around the Belgian town of Liege. CMI's expertise lays mainly in energy, metal, transportation and defence. CMI Defence focuses on a small segment of the defence market.
SIBMAS was developed during the 1970s as a private venture by BN Constructions Ferroviaires et Metalliques. The first prototype was completed in 1976.
In 1983 the Malaysian Army placed an order for 196 Sibmas 6x6 AIFVs from Belgium.162 Armoured Fires Support Vehicle 90s(AFSV-90) mounting the CM 90 turret and 24 Armoured Recovery Vehicles(ARV). The Sibmas, armed with a Cockerill 90 mm gun is used in the fire support role along with the FV101 Scorpion which is also armed with a Cockerill 90 mm gun in Malayasian service. An armoured recovery variant of the Sibmas is also in service in Malaysia.
This vehicle is an almost direct copy of the South African Ratel
[edit] Specifications
The vehicle can be configured for a wide variety of roles. The driver sits up front with the weapon station behind him. The troop compartment extends from behind the weapon station to the rear of the vehicle with the engine compartment at the left rear of the vehicle. A wide range of turret and armament can be fitted including machine guns, cannon and guns up to 90 mm in calibre. The SIBMAS AFSV-90 variant still has the capability to carry combat troops. It can still fulfil the IFV role, but the total number of troops that can be carried decreases due to the 90 mm ammunition storage. The Troop compartment has three entry doors, one each side and one at the rear. There is a roof hatch as well as firing ports and vision device for the occupants.The vehicle is amphibious with a maximum water speed with propellers of 11kph and with wheels at 4kph.
[edit] Users
[edit] References
Foss, Christopher F. Tank Recognition Guide. New York: HarperCollins, 2006. ISBN 0-00-718326-7 (In the United States) ISBN 978-0-00718326-5 (Rest of the World)
