Al-Fahd AF-40-8-1

     Notes: The Al-Fahd is the first AFV designed and produced by Saudi Arabia.  The Al-Fahd comes in a number of versions, including IFV and APCs, mortar carriers, ATGM carriers, recoilless rifle carriers, and a reconnaissance version which is an MGS.  Only the APC and IFV versions, the AF-40-8-1, will be discussed here.  In addition to Saudi Arabia, the Al-Fahd is used by Pakistan.

     The driver and commander of the AF-40-8-1 are in the front of the hull; the commander has conventional vision blocks, while the driver has a night vision block in addition to his conventional vision blocks.  Their hatches may be locked partially open (so they are elevated straight out from the hull), or locked open completely.  The troop compartment is in the center of the hull; there is a rear ramp at the rear of the hull next to the engine.  Firing ports are optional, but usually three are fitted per side and one in the rear door.  The basic AF-40-8-1 has four roof hatches, one of which has a pintle mount for a weapon, as well as a pintle mount near one of the rear roof hatches.  Turreted IFV versions also exist, with the turrets armed with either a 25mm or 40mm autocannon.  The turrets are mounted near the rear of the vehicle, with the rear roof hatches being deleted.  The turrets have good fire control as well as vision devices, and have a cluster of four smoke grenade launchers on each side of the turret.

     The AF-40-8-1 has a less powerful engine than its AF-40-8-2 counterpart, with the engine being a Deutz 10 400-horsepower diesel.  The smaller engine allows for a larger troop compartment and the space for a rear ramp, and is considered acceptable since it is lighter than its AF-40-8-2 counterpart. The transmission is automatic, and driver’s controls conventional.  The suspension is 8x8 and of the off-road-type, with the drive being switchable to 8x4 for road use (the four middle wheels being the drive wheels in this case). The front four wheels are independently steerable from the rear four vehicles, giving the AF-40-8-1 a tight turning radius. The suspension incorporates conventional hydraulic shock absorbers along with a nitrogen gas spring system which gives the AF-40-8-1 a very smooth ride.  The nitrogen gas spring system automatically adjusts to smooth out recoil when weapons are being fired, especially when they are fired on the move.  The AF-40-8-1 has an automatic fire detection and suppression system.  Armor is of aluminum; lugs for ERA are optional, but not standard.  Also not standard is amphibious capability; such is fitted to Pakistani vehicles, but not Saudi vehicles. The vehicle has NBC overpressure with a collective NBC backup, and air conditioning.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

Basic APC

$40,887

D, A

2 tons

14 tons

3+9

6

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

25mm-Armed

$129,191

D, A

1.6 tons

15.4 tons

3+8

8

Passive IR (D, G, C), Thermal Imaging (G)

Shielded

40mm-Armed

$138,605

D, A

1.6 tons

15.6 tons

3+8

8

Passive IR (D, G, C), Thermal Imaging (G)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

Basic APC

204/103

47/24/4

550

214

Stnd

W(6)

HF12Sp  HS5Sp  HR3

25mm-Armed

188/94

43/22/4

550

235

Trtd

W(6)

TF10Sp  TS6Sp  TR4  HF12Sp  HS5Sp  HR3

40mm-Armed

185/94

43/22/4

550

238

Trtd

W(6)

TF10Sp  TS6Sp  TR4  HF12Sp  HS5Sp  HR3

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

Basic APC

None

None

M-2HB, MAG (R)

1000x.50, 2500x7.62mm

25mm-Armed

+2

Good

25mm KBA Autocannon, MAG, MAG (C), 2xTOW II Launchers

840x25mm, 2150x7.62mm, 5xTOW II

40mm-Armed

+2

Good

40mm Bofors L/70, MAG, MAG (C), 2xTOW II Launchers

525x40mm, 2150x7.62mm, 5xTOW II