An Egyptian BTR-152 ?

Among the first armored vehicles mass-produced in Egypt (or Africa for that matter) was the Walid/Waleed (from "Walid Gomaa Mohamed"). It resembled the BTR-152 at that time, the main Egyptian APC in service, but in a simpler 4x4 configuration (like the BTR-40 also operated by Egypt). The type was not a copy, as far too many modifications were put in it to be associated with the Soviet vehicles other by a reference. At that time the Egyptian Army had some experience with the BTR-152 but also ideas on how to improve it. It was the first mass-product of the newly established AOI (Arab Organization for Industrialization) working with the Kader factory that Nasser intended as the "arsenal of the Arab world". Perhaps more than 1,000 were built (900 according to Wikipedia operators references) and operated by at least 6 countries outside Egypt. It is now replaced by the Kader Fahd.

Design

The choice of the chassis was crucial, and for that Egyptian engineers turned to the West German Mercedes-Benz company that developed the very capable UNIMOG 4x4 chassis. It was coupled to a German Deutz diesel with an output of 168 hp. The result was wrapped in a locally built armored body capable to withstand small arms fire (possibly 12-13 mm at the front, 8 mm elsewhere), which resembled the BTR-152 and was certainly as roomy, but the rear section was only carried by a single axle. The compartmentation was straightforward, with the driver and commander seated at the front, behind the engine, and up to 8-10 troops were carried on benches at the rear with their equipment and had pistol ports to fire from, six on each side and possibly two each side of the rear door.

The rear compartment was open-top although it could be covered by either a hard-top, folding armored panels or a simple tarpaulin. Therefore the vehicle was not protected NBC. There were no periscopes but armored shutters with vision slits on the front compartment windows and doors. Off-road performances were helped by a 40 cm ground clearance included fording 0.8 m of water, climbing a 0.5 m vertical obstacle, or a 60% gradient.

Variants

The basic Walid was intended as a reconnaissance APC but eventually was given other tasks, and it was modified accordingly. In its APC configuration, it was armed with a single standard Soviet-built PKM 7.62mm and carried 10 infantrymen. - Command Vehicle which received communications gear - Riot control car a government security forces vehicle, without notable modifications - Multiple Launch Rocket System. A 12x D3000 80 mm or 6x D-6000 122 mm rocket launcher was installed in the rear compartment, served by two operators - Minelayer Modified with a rear ramp to help digging and deposit mines.

Operators and operational career

The Walid main operator was Egypt, which still operates around 650 vehicles. In addition Angola, Algeria (20, 1978), Iraq (100, 1980), North Yemen (20, 1975), and the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) as known as former operators while Burundi (6, 1982), Sudan (104, 1981-86), and Yemen still operates the vehicle. The IDF also captured some in the Six Day War (1967), but their fate is unknown.

Links

The Walid on wikipedia The Walid on tanknutdave

Walid APC specifications
Dimensions	6.12 x2.57 x2.3 m ( ft)
Total weight, battle ready	9 -12 tonnes fully loaded
Crew	2+10 (driver, cdr, 10 infantry)
Propulsion	Deutz 6-cyl diesel, 168 hp, 14 hp/ton
Suspension	4x4 independent UNIMOG
Speed (road)	86 km/h (60 mph)
Range	800 km (550 mi)
Armament	Standard APC 7.62 mm PKM MG (1000 rds). See notes.
Armor	8 mm to 12-13 mm front (0.8-0.5 in)
Total production	900 in 1967-1975

Kader Walid - basic APC version.

Kader Walid, Minelayer version


Kader Walid MLRS version (rocket launcher) with erected pack.

Various references from the web