BMC Kirpi

BMC Kirpi

BMC Kirpi is a heavily armored troop carrier. Its main purpose is to transport personnel from one place to another while protecting them against all kinds of threats. It can undertake different operational roles by being equipped with the necessary mission equipment.

BMC Kirpi monocoque has a V-shaped body. Rescue and/or tow points are fitted at the front and rear, with a NATO-standard needle tip fitted at the rear. A front-mounted hydraulically operated self-rescue winch is standard.

The V-shaped monocoque hull and additional armor offer superior resistance to mines and ballistic attacks according to NATO Stanag 4569. Protection levels are classified. In the second generation of the Kirpi, the Kirpi 2 has composite add-on armor and mine protection has been further increased.

The cabin can carry 13 personnel, including the driver, commander and gunner, facing forward, the remaining 10 personnel facing each other, 5 on one side and the other 5 on the other, sitting on the edges of the side walls. Each personnel has mine-protected seating, gun racks and gun slots so that they can open fire when needed. There are two opening ceiling hatches inside the closed manual turret, one at the front. Optionally, the manual turret can be replaced with an automatic weapon station. In this case, the front ceiling hatch opens behind the weapon station, allowing manual operation or reloading. The second roof hatch is at the far end of the cabin. There is a hydraulically controlled door at the rear of the vehicle, which can accommodate or evacuate 10 personnel.

BMC Kirpi 4x4 is 18 tons empty and has a gross vehicle weight of 2000 kg and a carrying capacity of 2000 kg.

BMC Kirpi's driving force is provided by a EURO 3 emission-compliant Cummins diesel engine producing 375 hp (275 kW). An engine cold start kit is fitted and the cooling system is adapted for tactical applications at temperatures between −32 °C / +55 °C.

The powertrain is completed by an Allison 3000 six-speed fully automatic transmission coupled to an Axletech two-speed transfer case with selectable 4x2 or 4x4 drive. A pneumatically actuated differential lock, controlled by the driver, is installed longitudinally. Both the front-wheel drive axle and the rear-wheel drive axles are Axletech with a capacity of 9,500 kg and are sprung with a combination of parabolic leaf springs, telescopic shock absorbers and anti-roll bar. Kirpi 2, which is in the second generation of Kirpi, has fully independent suspension with coil springs and the same axle capacity. Both are equipped with driver-controlled, pneumatically actuated cross-axle differential locks. The steering is power assisted.

Variants

BMC Kirpi is a troop carrier and is mainly used for safe transportation of troops from one place to another. It is also a multi-purpose platform that can be adapted to the role required by the end user. It can be used to serve different tactical purposes according to specific needs. BMC Kirpi is available in 4x4 and 6x6 configurations. The vehicle is driven by all its available wheels, making it suitable for handling all types of terrain.