EDEX 2021: the Temsah family of vehicles grows

By Paolo Valpolini

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Seen at EDEX 2018 the Temsah-3, designed and developed by the Egyptian Ministry of Defence Vehicle Department – Engineering Industrial Complex, was exhibited at the 2021 edition of the Cairo exhibition also in a pick-up version, that maintains the same characteristics and performances, its curb weight decreasing by 200 kg which are added to the previous payload, which in the new version is of 950 kg over a 6,400 kg Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW).

That said, two brand new vehicles are added to the “crocodile” family, Temsah being the name of that reptile in Arabic, the Temsah-4 and the Temsah-5, the first one being aimed at military units while the second is more oriented towards paramilitary uses.

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Designed according to the Egyptian Army requirements for a modular protected vehicle, the Temsah-4 (see also opening picture) is a 4×4 vehicle with a GVW of 15,000 kg and a 4,000 kg payload, powered by a 245 hp engine with a 900 Nm torque at 1,400 rpm, coupled to an automatic transmission, which allow a maximum speed on road of 95 km/h and a 500 km endurance. The Temsah-4 is 6.2 meters long, 2.5 meters wide and 2.7 meters high, and is fitted with 365/65/R20 tires, run-flat inserts being available as option. The driver has a 9-inch NVG-compatible display that shows not only the engine data, but also the images provided by one frontal thermal camera and three day cameras.

In the carrier version it can host a crew of two plus six dismounts, the cell being protected at BR6 level, which can however be upgraded to BR7, against 7.62×51 mm Armour Piercing rounds. Although not mentioned in the data sheet, according to information obtained at EDEX mine protection is at Level 4, the Temsah-4 having a ground clearance of 320 mm, all occupants being equipped with anti-blast seats. The Temsah-4 can be equipped with a remotely controlled weapon station mounted on top of the front cabin, which doors are fitted with firing ports.

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But the vehicle peculiarity is its full modularity; at EDEX the vehicle was shown with the rear module separated, lifted from the chassis thanks to four mechanical jacks. To reduce vibrations a rubber mat is put between the chassis and the module, the lock being done using around 20 bolts that are put in place from the inside of the amoured cabin. This modularity allows a very quick role reconfiguration when deployed in a forward base; modules already been considered include, beside the carrier module, a command post, an ambulance and a rcket launcher.

The vehicle exhibited at EDEX is the second iteration of the Temsah 4, the first having been developed without the rear detachable module, EDR On-Line understood. While the Level 4 protection against mines was tested in the first vehicle, tests on the one exhibited are planned to start immediately after the Cairo event. No indication on the possible start of production could be obtained.

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Last but not least comes the Temsah-5, a much lighter vehicle, its GVW being 3,300 kg with a 700 kg payload. Based on a Toyota chassis it is capable of a pretty high speed on road, up to 180 km/h, it is powered by a 251 hp gasoline engine and has a 400 km cruise range. A 5.1 meters long vehicle, with a 2.97 meters wheelbase, the Temsah-5 is 1.97 meters wide and 2 meters high, and has a 330 mm ground clearance. Ballistic protection is at BR6 level with no anti mine protection, all occupants having a gun port at their disposal on the door and a further one at the back.

Photos courtesy P. Valpolini

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