IDEX 2021: Calidus expands AFV range

The United Arab Emirates’ (UAE’s) Calidus displayed an expanded armoured fighting vehicle (AFV) offering during the International Defence Exhibition & Conference (IDEX) 2021 trade show held in Abu Dhabi from 21–25 February, including a large-calibre fire-support variant of its Wahash 8×8 and a 4×4 protected mobility vehicle.

The Wahash AFV with fire-support variant with the DLS Special Systems turret. (Janes/Hamzeh Ghaith)

The company’s stand included two Wahashs, one of which was fitted with the 2K23 combat module that is already used with the BMP-3 tracked infantry fighting vehicle. It also showed 8×8 Rabdans and some of the Patria AMV 8×8s that are in service with the UAE Armed Forces. The Wahash still has space for six dismounts when the two-man 2K23 and its large basket are fitted.

Calidus says this version has completed amphibious and shooting trials in the UAE with a full personnel complement and STANG 4569 Level Four protection.

A second variant was displayed with a large-calibre direct-fire turret supplied by Serbian company DLS Special Systems. The turret was not identified but DLS is known to have developed the 105 mm Light Turret High Performance Low Recoil Gun (LT-HPLRG-AT).

The turret on the Washash included a bustle-mounted autoloader, a gunner’s sight to the right of the main gun, and a remote weapon system (RWS) on the roof, which may double as the commander’s sight. It leaves sufficient room for four dismounts in the rear of the vehicle, which has a total length of 9.7 m with the gun forward. The height to the top of the RWS is 4.07 m.

This variant was displayed without the amphibious propulsion system and fold-down trim vane seen on the other variant, presumably because the weight of the turret prohibits an amphibious capability.