In the third edition of the Egypt Defence Expo (EDEX), the Egyptian Ministry of Military Production unveiled a variety of indigenous weapon systems.

Among other systems, “Raad 200”, the first Egyptian-made (80%) Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) made by the National Organisation for Military Production (NOMP) attracted the attention of the military society. 

The said system is mounted on a tracked platform, whose engine develops a maximum speed of 45 km/h on-road and 27 km/h off-road.

Raad 200

Raad 200, the number referring to Factory 200 where the system is produced – one of the 18 facilities of that state-owned defence company – is 6.5 meters long, 2.85 meters wide, 3.1 meters tall, with a 400 mm ground clearance. It has a combat mass of 18,580 kg, 1,980 kg being represented by the payload, which is made of 30 Grad/Sakr 122 mm rockets hosted in three rows of 10 tubes each, with a maximum range of 45 km and a total rocket weight of 1980 kg.

It features a BM-21/BM-45 with a launching rate of 30 rockets per 15 seconds. The launcher unit has a maximum elevation of 55°, while in azimuth it can move 60° right and 100° left. The key issue is that all movements are carried out automatically, based on inputs from the electronic fire control system installed in the cabin. The latter hosts up to two operators, plus the driver, who access the vehicle via the two side doors, and can fire either one at a time or in salvo mode.

Sakr

In addition, the Arab Organisation for Industrialisation also unveiled the new Sakr Thermobaric rocket with a 6-20 km operational range, carrying an 18.45 kg warhead, which adds to the Sakr-18 and Sakr-45 rockets, numbers indicating ranges.

The RAAD 200 seen at EDEX 2023 was the first prototype of the system. According to NOMP, it has already executed firing tests and the company is awaiting a contract from the national customer.

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RL812

Next to the RAAD 200, a second indirect fire system was showcased for the first time. The RL812, an upgrade of an existing 107 mm rocket launcher, fitted with an electronically-controlled laying system linked to the fire control system, thus allowing the crew to operate the launcher from inside the vehicle. The launcher can be oriented in a ±15° arc in azimuth and from 0° to +45° in elevation. Maximum horizontal positioning time and maximum vertical positioning time are 15 sec and 15 sec respectively.

The launcher features a 12-tube configuration with three rows of four tubes each, tubes length being 800 mm. The whole load can be fired in around 8 seconds, while rockets have a maximum range of 8.2 km. The automated system has a 2.9 tons mass without rockets and a mass of 3.108 tons fully loaded. The maximum speed of the used projectile is 375 m/s carrying a warhead of 18,7 kg.

The RL 812/TCL has already been deployed for firing tests in cooperation with the Egyptian Army, which is apparently interested in upgrading in-service systems installed on light vehicles.

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SENA 200

The latest iteration of the SENA 200 armored tracked vehicle could also be seen at Egypt’s national pavilion. 

Derived from the BMP-1 but distinguished by its complete design and development in Egypt, the Sena 200 is claimed to offer substantial improvements, including a significantly higher ballistic protection Level 4 according to STANAG 4579 standards along with a Level 3 mine protection capability. 

This represents a notable enhancement compared to the BMP-1, particularly in terms of mine protection, an aspect that was lacking in the Soviet-origin vehicle of this category, as demonstrated in Ukraine.

The Sena 200 can be equipped with add-on nets to provide extra protection against rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), which can be installed on each side of the vehicle. The nets, made of aramid fibers reinforced with steel masses, are estimated to achieve an 85% probability of protection.

The vehicle’s layout includes a driver’s seat at the front-left, featuring a digital cockpit compatible with a night vision goggle (NVG), while the 360 hp diesel engine is located on the right. The commander is behind the engine compartment and could use an Eagle 1 RCWS Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS) control console. The troop compartment accommodates up to six soldiers in two rows of three centrally-mounted seats, allowing personnel to face outward for the utilization of individual weapons, in line with the Egyptian Army doctrine.

The Eagle 1 Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS), designed for installation on various armored vehicles, is configurable with different weapons, including 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm, 12.7 mm, and 14.5 mm calibers. It has a weight of 185 kg, excluding both the weapon and ammunition.

In terms of dimensions and weight, the Sena 200 has a combat weight of 14 tons, measuring 6.1 m in length, 3.04 m in width, and 1.88 m in height without the main armament. The 360 hp diesel engine allows a top speed of 65 km/h on-road and 45 km/h off-road.

The Sena 200 is proposed in various configurations, including infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), ambulance, missile launcher, mortar carrier, signal vehicle, command and control vehicle, ammunition carrier, logistic transporter, and electronic warfare vehicle. 

According to available information, the production contract has been signed and the Abu Zaabal Tank Repair Factory, also known as Factory 200, under the Ministry of Military Products, is currently in the production planning phase, although specific production numbers have not been disclosed.

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In our next article, the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles that stood out at EDEX 2023 as well as other wheeled armored vehicles will be presented. Stay tuned to DEFENCE ReDEFiNED for more!