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 |