KPE Barys 8x8 vehicle completes four-year trial
Barys 8x8 Infantry Combat Vehicle is a next-generation platform (Photo: Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering)
The platform was tested throughout the mountainous terrains of Southern Kazakhstan, across forested and savannah-like steppe and the salt marshes of Central Kazakhstan covering a total distance of 25,000 km.
Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering (KPE) — a JV between South Africa-based Paramount Group and state-owned Kazakhstan Engineering — announced on 2 November that its Barys 8x8 infantry fighting vehicle has completed a four-year series of trials conducted by the Kazakh MoD, bringing the platform a step closer to its first production order.
This milestone was achieved more than five years after Barys was unveiled for the first time at the KADEX Exhibition in Nur-Sultan.
Barys is derived from the Paramount-made Mbombe 8. According to KPE, the platform covered more than 25,000km in tests in various environments: the mountainous terrains of Southern Kazakhstan; across forested and savannah-like steppe; and in the salt marshes of Central Kazakhstan.
Firepower was also tested, with Barys discharging more than 5,000 rounds of 30mm and 7,000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
Barys 8x8 is a multi-purpose armoured vehicle operated by a crew of up to 11. It was built for meeting the increasing demands in the region for versatility, high mobility and mine protection.
With a maximum speed of 110km/h and an operating range of 800km, the vehicle carries a payload of up to 9t and features STANAG 4569 Level 4B protection against mines, IEDs and roadside landmines.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![DroneShield nets largest order ever with $40 million European CUAS contract]()
DroneShield nets largest order ever with $40 million European CUAS contract
The package of three standalone follow-on contracts makes this the largest contract won by the Australian company and larger than its total 2024 revenue.
-
![Patria completes test firing of new self-propelled gun as demand for systems grows]()
Patria completes test firing of new self-propelled gun as demand for systems grows
Patria quotes a maximum rate of fire of eight rounds a minute from the new ARVE (ARtillery on VEhicle) self-propelled gun with a range of 40km for an assisted round. The rapid, low-risk development is designed to meet emerging requirements which have arisen out of the Ukraine war.
-
![US Army modernisation plans raise big concerns for lawmakers]()
US Army modernisation plans raise big concerns for lawmakers
The termination of programmes such as JLTV and RCV has been harshly criticised by members of the US Congress.
-
![The power of partnership: GDMS–UK deepens cooperation with the British Army]()
The power of partnership: GDMS–UK deepens cooperation with the British Army
In Conversation: Shephard's Gerrard Cowan talks to General Dynamics Mission Systems–United Kingdom’s Chris Burrows about how the company's UK TacCIS business is reshaping battlefield communications through sustained customer engagement, accelerated innovation and ecosystem collaboration.
-
![Sweden to purchase IRIS-T air defence systems for $930 million]()
Sweden to purchase IRIS-T air defence systems for $930 million
This recent purchase of the medium-range air defence system adds to the country’s ongoing efforts to ramp up its overall defence readiness and capabilities.
