EDEX 2025 – The Temsah-3 armoured vehicles evolution, the Temsah-3.1 Special Forces
At the fourth edition of the Cairo exhibition the Egyptian MoDVehicle Department of the Engineering Industrial Complex showcases its Temsah 3.1 Special Forces, the last member of this light armoured vehicle family, which very first prototype of the Temsah-3 was unveiled at EDEX 2018
At EDEX 2023 the 4×4 armoured vehicle was shown in an upgraded version, the Temsah-3.1, was unveiled. Both versions are now in service with the Egyptian Armed Forces, a new variant dedicated to Special Forces, being shown for the first time at EDEX 2023.
Compared to previous versions the Temsah-3.1 Special Forces is not fully armoured, as in pure SF style priority is given to firepower. Only the driver and commander are hosted in the front cabin which is fully protected at level BR6 (7.62×51 mm ball).
The rear compartment is open top, however compared to many other SF 4×4 vehicles side and rear walls are kept at full height, offering considerable protection to the four operators that can be hosted at the back of the Temsah. The commander has a side gun port allowing him to operate his individual weapon.
However the massive firepower comes from the four 7.62×51 mm Sinai 300 machine guns installed on pintle mounts, two per side at the back, which are manned by operators who fire in the stand up position, weapons being fitted with a double-layer ballistic steel protective shield ensuring further protection. The rear compartment is quite spacious allowing for considerable ammunition stowage, a rack for six rifles being fitted to the front wall. On the outside, rear walls are fitted with a carrying system allowing hanging up the rucksacks of the six operators on board.
Anti-blast seats can be installed in the front cabin, but EDR On-Line understood these are not considered for the rear compartment as when in the operations area operators will be standing up, an advanced impact mat being installed on the compartment floor, although the vehicle is not designed for blast protection. Access to the rear compartment is via a door on the right side, while rear left we find the spare wheel, tires size being 37/12.5/R16.5. A central tire inflation system can be provided as option.
As the other Temsah-3, the Special Forces variant is powered by a 6.5 litres turbo diesel engine providing 205 hp at 3,200 rpm, with a maximum torque of 460 Nm at 1,700. Coupled to an automatic transmission, the vehicle has a permanent 4×4 drive, can reach 125 km/h and has a maximum range at cruise speed of 442 km.
The Temsah-3.1 Special Forces is 5,000 mm long, 5,600 mm considering the spare wheel, 2,200 mm wide and 2,650 mm high. Wheel track is 1,800 mm while wheel base is 3,300 mm, minimum ground clearance being 400 mm. Gross vehicle mass is 6,400 kg, with a payload of 600 kg.
The new version was obtained maintaining the full chassis and cabin of the in-service Temsah 3.1, only the rear compartment being modified, which considerably reduces the logistic footprint. EDR On-Line understood that the Temsah 3.1 Special Forces should soon start to be produced.
Photos by P. Valpolini
