Sibmas

Infobox Weapon
name=SIBMAS
caption=
origin=
type=
is_vehicle=yes
crew=3 (+11 in the APC role)
length= 7.32 m
width= 2.5 m
height= 2.77 m (incl. turret)
weight= 14,500-18,500 kg (combat)
armour= "Classified"
primary_armament= 90 mm Cockerill Mk III gun
secondary_armament= coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun and an anti-aircraft 7.62 mm machine gun
engine= MAN D 2566 MK 6-cylinder in-lined water-cooled turbocharged diesel
engine_power= 320 hp at 1,900 rpms
suspension=
speed= 100 km/h
pw_ratio= 20 hp/tonne (at 16,000 kg)
vehicle_range= 1,000 km

SIBMAS (6x6) is a range of Belgian 6x6 armored vehicles, including a 6x6 amphibious armored personnel carrier and fire support vehicle.

History

Cockerill Maintenance & Ingénierie is an international group of companies based around the Belgian town of Liege. CMI's expertise lies 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—162 Armoured Fire Support Vehicle 90s (AFSV-90s) mounting the CSE 90 turret, and 24 Armoured Recovery Vehicles (ARVs). The SIBMAS, armed with a Cockerill 90 mm gun is used in the fire support role along with the FV101 Scorpion which, in Malaysian service, is also armed with a Cockerill 90 mm gun.This purchase for replacement of older Cadillac Gage V-100 Commando.

This vehicle is an almost direct copy of the South African Ratel.

pecifications

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, capable of a maximum water speed of 11 km/h using propellers and of 4 km/h using wheels.

Users

*flagicon|Malaysia Malaysia

References

Foss, Christopher F. "Tank Recognition Guide." New York: HarperCollins, 2006. ISBN 0-00-718326-7 (in the United States), ISBN 978-0-00-718326-5 (rest of the world).

External links

* [http://www.armyrecognition.com/europe/Belgique/vehicules_a_roues/Sibmas/Sibmas_Belgique_description.htm SIBMAS Technical DataSheet and pictures to Army Recognition site]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/sibmas.htm SIBMAS] at GlobalSecurity.org.