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Enigma 8x8 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV)

The UAE is developing the Enigma IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle), which is expected to be equipped with the Russian-made AU-220M combat module and a 57mm gun developed by Russia’s Burevestnik Central R&D Institute, part of Uralvagonzavod. Some sources suggest the Enigma 8x8 IFV entered service in late 2015, though it was still undergoing field testing. The 25 available Enigmas were sent off to war in Yemen, where they were reported to have performed well.

The Enigma 8x8 is large. The vehicle is approximately 8.4 meters long [a good meter longer than comparable vehicles] and 2.9 meters wide, and has a combat weight of about 28,000kg. It houses a crew of three members including a driver, a commander and a gunner, while its spacious rear compartment accommodates up to eight troops. The BMP "Enigma" is planned to equip the Russian combat unit AU-220M with a gun caliber 57 mm, designed by the Central Research Institute "Petrel" (part of "Uralvagonzavod"). This module is a modernized version of an offshore unit A-220 for tracked and wheeled chassis. Earlier module with 57-millimeter cannon would have been used in the Russian-French BMP "Atom", but because of the sanctions France had left the project.

Tests of the infantry fighting vehicle with Russian combat unit, developed in the United Arab Emirates, will begin in 2017. This was announced on 28 March 2016 by the director of the corporation "Uralvagonzavod" for Military and Technical Cooperation Igor Kulikov. "Today we are working with Emirates Defence Technologies We prepare the sample for testing in the UAE, we hope that they will be successful tests are planned in 2017.." - He said on the sidelines of the exhibition Defexpo India - 2016. Previously CEO of "Uralvagonzavod" Oleg Siyenko reported that tests the combat vehicle would begin in 2016.

In the Presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and the Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the Abu Dhabi-headquartered Emirates Defense Technology (EDT) unveiled its new Armored Modular Fighting Vehicle “Enigma” on the opening day of the International Defense & Security Conference (IDEX) 2015. The production of the Enigma will be at EDT’s facility in Abu Dhabi, where it had already undertaken stringent tests. The base vehicle was scheduled to begin mobility trials with the UAE Armed Forces after the show.

Industry sources suggested that the company specifically targetted a requirement from the UAE Armed Forces for an undisclosed number of 8x8 armored vehicles. The new Enigma infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) unveiled at IDEX 2015 in Abu Dhabi was submitted for the Emirati military's long-standing IFV requirement.

The company’s chief executive Mohamed Al Suwaidi said “Obviously our prime focus is the UAE but from the get-go we have always looked at how it is exportable, how will it meet the requirements of other armies ... We are completely open for other markets that would be interested”. Al Suwaidi said “You can change the weapon system on top. We have manufacturing licence agreements with different companies to design, develop and manufacture the armour here in the UAE as a UAE product”.

Enigma has a crew of three. Eight troops can be carried in the back. Powered by a Caterpillar C13 diesel engine produces 711 hp, Enigma will have a combat weight of 28 tons. This IFV Timoney Technology uses a suspension system that provides a high-level cross-country mobility and designed to be easily replaced if damaged by mines or explosive device IED. IFV enigma V-shaped hull (for protection against mines and roadside bombs) made of all-welded armor and can be equipped with applique armor for a higher level of protection.

The vehicles displayed at IDEX 2015 was equipped with a turret of the BMP-3 IFV tracked currently used Army UAE. Enigma was designed to handle other types of turrets including one with a 155mm howitzer or various missile systems. The company also displayed a scale model of an ENIGMA variant with integrated BAE Systems 155m/39-caliber lightweight artillery system at IDEX. The Self Propelled M777 variant provides a high mobility Howitzer solution, due to the lightweight titanium gun built by BAE Systems. Enigma also provides solutions for different air defense applications – including the Rheinmetall Sky Ranger 35 mm turret. It is also compatible with the UralVagonZavod (UVZ) AU220M – a medium caliber turret that has been enhanced with Western standard electro-optics.

The UralVagonZavod (UVZ) Baikal combat module is a modernized version of the A-220 ship-borne system designed for wheeled and tracked chassis. The turret is armed with a 100mm gun that fires laser-guided projectiles or several types of shells. In addition there is a 30mm automatic cannon and a 7.62mm machine-gun. The module with a 57mm gun was earlier expected to be used in the Russian-French IFV Atom but France quit the project over the sanctions imposed on Russia.

The design provides high levels of protection, heavy weapons systems, amphibious capabilities, an unrivalled spacious interior that can accommodate 11 personnel, all without compromising the 28-ton vehicle’s mobility.

UAE planned to diversify their industry away from oil and gas, and defense is an important part of this. They wanted to reduce dependency on overseas defence equipment imports and develop their own domestic manufacturing capabilities. This means that they are likely to select the Enigma design to meet a large portion of their 8×8 requirement. The Enigma vehicle was designed with the help of engineering firm Timoney and if selected would be constructed by Tawazun’s Nimr Automotive subsidiary.

In July 2015 Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi held a series of meetings lately with the General Staff of the UAE Armed Forces and the Command of the UAE Land Forces (UAELF) to discuss plans to supply the UAELF with 8x8 Infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs).

The tests of the infantry fighting vehicle started in 2015, Director for Military and Technical Cooperation of Russia’s armored vehicle manufacturer Uralvagonzavod Igor Kulikov said on 28 March 2016. “As of today, we’re cooperating with Emirates Defence Technologies. We’re preparing a prototype for tests on the UAE territory and hope they will be successful. The trials are planned in 2017,” he said on the sidelines of the Defexpo India-2016 arms show. Uralvagonzavod CEO Oleg Siyenko said earlier the tests of the new infantry fighting vehicle would start in 2016.