Barys 8: Snow Leopard

[jspene]

Would you like to see this in-game?

• Yes
• No

What country should the Barys 8 go to?

• USSR
• Britain
• Other
• I said no

Barys 8: Snow Leopard

Hello and welcome to my suggestion for the Barys 8!

Developed by Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering & Paramount Group, the Barys (Kazakh for “snow leopard”) 8 is a wheeled infantry combat vehicle soon to be fielded by the Kazakh military.

It features a Mbombe 8 chassis mounting an “Ansar” unmanned turret housing a 30mm 2A72 autocannon. The Ansar RCWS features a laser rangefinder as well as a thermal imager. It is also able to track aerial targets automatically.

In War Thunder, the Barys would bring some high tier mobility to whichever tech tree it goes to, in an autocannon IFV form. The vehicle itself is unique because it combines African and Soviet technology into a powerful and modern IFV.

History

The Barys 8 was first shown at KADEX 2016 with a mockup of a Russian 57mm AU-220M combat module. It is developed by Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering (KPE) and Paramount Group, based on the latter’s Mbombe 8 chassis.

The Mbombe 8 is based on the design of the Mbombe 6 which is currently in service in Jordan (and has entered production in Kazakhstan). Paramount Group has experience designing mine-resistant vehicles, and the Barys/Mbombe is no exception featuring mine-resistant seats and a raised hull floor.

It was seen again at KADEX 2018 with a new turret called “Sarbaz” developed by KAE LLP and Aselsan. The Sarbaz features a 2A42 autocannon.

The Barys 8 underwent extensive trials and modifications in Kazakhstan beginning in 2017 including the addition of the Ansar RCWS. During these trials, it was found that the Barys often broke down and needed expensive repairs. In 2021, these trials were completed.

The Barys has been slow to reach units and as of 2024 it is unclear how many Barys 8s have actually been received. However, videos have surfaced online of the Barys in 2023 of it participating in firing exercises. This may suggest it has been received by troops in limited numbers.

Characteristics:

General

Crew: 3 (Commander, Driver, Gunner)

Size: 24 tons combat weight

Armament

Main Gun: 30mm 2A72 automatic cannon

Auxiliary Gun: 7.62mm PKTM (7000 rds)

The Ansar RCWS features a stabilizer, laser rangefinder, thermal imager, and IRST.

Dimensions

8m x 2.8m x 2.4m (chassis)

8m x 2.8m x ~2.88m (icl. turret)

1.477m (turret height icl. basket)

Ground clearance: 450mm

Mobility

Engine: 550hp Six-cylinder Turbo Diesel

Transmission: Allison 2200 Automatic

Max speed: 110 km/h

Steering: Front 4 wheels

Suspension: Hydropneumatic

Armor

Stanag 4569 Level 3 ballistic protection

Stanag 4569 Level 4B explosive protection

Extras

Photos

Sources

https://www.aadexpo.co.za/files/Day_1.pdf

https://www.aadexpo.co.za/files/Day2_2018.pdf

Kazakhstan's Barys 8x8 Armored IFV Endures Extensive Field Trials

Mbombe 8x8 shown at AAD for first time - defenceWeb
https://www.armytechnology.com/projects/mbombe-8-infantry-combat-vehicle/?cf-view

Mbombe: Revolutionary low-profile infantry fighting vehicle

https://www.paramountgroup.com/media/1348/paramount-mbombe-8-no-turret.pdf

Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering 8x8 Combat Vehicle successfully completes grueling Four-Year Trial

«Барыс 8х8» – алдыңғы қатарлы технологиялық шешімдермен жабдықталған көпмақсатт ... Броньды техника | Өнім | Қазақстан Парамаунт Инжиниринг

https://defense-update.com/20160603_barys.htm

KPE carried out shooting tests with the Ansar RCWS - polygonjournal.com

https://en.topwar.ru/168043-btr-barys-8h8-preimuschestva-mezhdunarodnogo-sotrudnichestva.html

https://turdef.com/article/serial-production-of-barys-6-6-armoured-vehicles-started-in-kazakhstan

https://www.paramountgroup.com/media/news/kazakhstan-paramount-engineering-kpe-exhibits-the-world-s-next-generation-armoured-vehicle-technologies-at-kadex-2018/

[Kingtiez]

+1, for the USSR.

[Arctic-Fox]

Unless Kazakhstan is going to be a sub-tree for Russia, think it should mostly go to Britain
or both of them get it
eitherway i’m guessing it will end up a event/premium

[jspene]

I’d say the connection to the USSR is probably stronger due to current Kazakh political/military ties and the autocannon itself being Russian (as well as the only current Kazakh vehicle being in the USSR tree)

It also would give Russia high tier a good wheeled IFV like the RCV (P) or VBCI. I think there are better ZA options for a similar vehicle instead of this, like the Rooikat 35.

[Arctic-Fox]

@jspene

USSR is probably stronger due to current Kazakh political/military ties

While i agree with that they do have a a military connection, in the end russia didn’t have a hand in the making of this and should mostly only be added if they do become a sub-tree

the Brits have a strong case since the vehicle is designed/manufactured by a SA company which is a sub-tree already

@jspene

as well as the only current Kazakh vehicle being in the USSR tree

The current kazakh vehicle being in the USSR tree makes sense since it’s a SU-25
Gaijin will implement them where they usually tend to fit, hence why you got a Canadian Leo in the German TT rather than in Britain where they have a strong connection

I can see the “Collective Security Treaty Organization” being made as a sub-tree for Russia in which case this vehicle would go to them

[THE_FLAME1]

I’m from Kazakhstan and I have to say that this vehicle is pretty bad. Britain will not receive this vehicle in any case, because it has not been officially accepted into service in South Africa and the Kazakhstan version will have more to do with Russia.

[Константинович7]

@Arctic-Fox

While i agree with that they do have a a military connection, in the end russia didn’t have a hand in the making of this and should mostly only be added if they do become a sub-tree

the Brits have a strong case since the vehicle is designed/manufactured by a SA company which is a sub-tree already

Using this argument, what about the T-90S Bhishma? The vehicle was designed in Russia, modified in India, which the Britains didn’t have a hand in the making of this modification and yet it’s on the British tech tree likely for historical reasons pre-Indian independence.

[Savage_Virus_R6]

Mate they listed this for Austria. I suggest you contact moderators and have that corrected. Or is this vehicle Austrian?

[jspene]

Not sure where you’re seeing that

[Savage_Virus_R6]

When I press the link for the Austrian machine it brings me here

[jspene]

Oh, yeah that’s happening for me too. I’ll PM someone

[Arctic-Fox]

India is a sub-tree for Britain, hence why they also got the OSA, Strela and a MIG-21

[Kingtiez]

Also the Barys with the 57mm


Mock-up turret?

[jspene]

@Kingtiez

Mock-up turret?

Yes, according to an AADExpo brochure

Mbombe-8 (57)

According to the 2nd Document above, the 57mm turret is a mockup. [IMG_4923] Mbombe 8 first shown at KADEX 2016 (referred to as 8x8 Barys): [IMG_4924] I’m curious to see if there is any promotional material regarding the Mbombe/Barys from KADEX 2016 to confirm the AU-220 turret being a mockup.

I remember reading somewhere Paramount hadn’t yet acquired any turrets which could potentially complicate its addition to the game, and which also supports the fact it’s a mockup.

(Since that post, I haven’t found any brochure from KADEX 2016. There was a link available on Google, but it seems to be broken)

[THE_FLAME1]

Have you tried opening this link with VPN?

[jspene]

Yes, it still didn’t work. Anyway, I can’t find it now so i look schizophrenic to everyone :’)

[THE_FLAME1]

Военная МОЩЬ КАЗАХСТАНА новые БТР БАРЫС 8х8 и Т-72 Кае (2016) - Корзина - War Thunder — официальный форум look at this topic. Maybe you can find more information about Barys (Google has a function to translate a page to another language.). Anyway I’m skeptical about adding this vehicle. It would be like a Boxer MGS with a different turret.