In a significant step towards military modernization and domestic defense production, Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering (KPE) has officially unveiled the Terrex – Barys A 8×8, a new state-of-the-art amphibious armored combat vehicle tailored for the nation’s rugged terrains and evolving security needs.
The launch event, held in the capital, was attended by top-ranking officials from the defense and industrial sectors, underscoring the strategic importance of the new vehicle. The Barys A 8×8 is the result of a landmark collaboration between Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering and Singapore’s ST Engineering, combining proven international design with local manufacturing and customization.
The unveiling ceremony was headlined by General-Colonel Ruslan Zhaksylykov, Kazakhstan’s Defense Minister, who reiterated the national leadership’s commitment to military modernization.
“Our army deserves the most advanced weaponry and military equipment. That is the clear expectation from the head of state,” said Zhaksylykov. “The armed forces must be professional, mobile, and outfitted with modern systems.”
This statement reflects President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s broader defense policy goals, which emphasize the development of a professional, responsive, and technologically capable military as a key pillar of Kazakhstan’s national security.
The Terrex – Barys A 8×8 is based on the combat-proven Terrex platform developed by ST Engineering, a major Singaporean defense firm with a global footprint in armored vehicle manufacturing. The vehicle has been extensively tested in various operational theaters around the world.
The adaptation of this platform for Kazakhstan’s use is part of a strategic cooperation agreement signed in December 2024 between ST Engineering and KPE. This partnership focuses on technology transfer, localized assembly, and ultimately, full-scale domestic production.
“This joint venture represents a meaningful leap forward in Kazakhstan’s capability to produce high-quality, mission-adaptable armored vehicles,” said Tan Pek Tong, Head of International Defense Business at ST Engineering Land Systems, who attended the event.
ST Engineering is providing the engineering design support and manufacturing expertise, while KPE is spearheading the local assembly and customization process to meet the specific operational needs of the Kazakh Armed Forces.
One of the defining features of the Barys A 8×8 is its full amphibious capability, a critical advantage for operations in Kazakhstan’s diverse terrain, which includes rivers, lakes, marshlands, deserts, and mountain regions.
Designed for a wide range of mission profiles—including infantry support, armored reconnaissance, peacekeeping operations, and internal security roles—the Barys A 8×8 is engineered to offer all-terrain mobility, enhanced protection, and scalable firepower options.
According to defense officials, the vehicle can navigate open water, traverse rugged and undeveloped terrain, and support rapid deployment scenarios across the country’s vast territory.
“This vehicle isn’t just a technological asset—it’s a strategic mobility platform designed for Kazakhstan’s geography and operational doctrine,” said a KPE engineering executive.
Before full deployment, the Barys A 8×8 will undergo extensive military field trials throughout 2025. These trials are expected to evaluate the vehicle’s performance under extreme seasonal and environmental conditions, from summer desert heat to Arctic winter temperatures.
The trials will also test the vehicle’s maneuverability, armament configurations, communications systems, and resilience against ballistic and explosive threats.
The Ministry of Defense confirmed that these field evaluations will guide final modifications and inform tactical integration into the army’s force structure.
A key goal of the Barys A 8×8 initiative is the development of a self-sustaining, indigenous armored vehicle manufacturing capability. During the event, Aibek Barys, Chairman of the Association of Defense Industry Enterprises, highlighted the platform’s industrial significance.
“KPE can produce up to 500 armored vehicles annually in a single shift. With our research expertise and operational experience, Kazakhstan is positioned to field a locally built 8×8 armored vehicle tailored to its defense needs.”
Barys also pointed out that the program opens up new supply chain opportunities for local subcontractors, engineers, and material suppliers, contributing to job creation and industrial growth.
The production facility—already operational in Astana Industrial Park—will become the central hub for final assembly, quality assurance, and logistics support for the Barys A 8×8 series.
Beyond domestic needs, the Terrex – Barys A 8×8 is also being positioned as a potential export product, particularly for neighboring Central Asian countries and other states seeking versatile armored solutions.
Kazakhstan’s central location and growing defense industrial base offer a strategic advantage in supplying regional partners with military hardware that is both competitively priced and tested under similar environmental conditions.
ST Engineering’s involvement also lends international credibility to the vehicle’s design pedigree, increasing its attractiveness in the global defense market.
From a military strategy standpoint, the Barys A 8×8 marks a major enhancement of Kazakhstan’s ground combat capabilities. With the ongoing modernization efforts, the Kazakh Army aims to phase out older Soviet-era vehicles and replace them with modern, networked systems capable of operating in today’s hybrid warfare environments.
The new vehicle offers:
- Advanced armor protection against mines and IEDs
- Modular weapon systems, including automatic cannons, machine guns, and anti-tank missile launchers
- State-of-the-art battlefield management systems for situational awareness
- Enhanced crew comfort and survivability, especially over long deployments
Its amphibious feature allows the armed forces to conduct river crossings independently, a significant capability in landlocked but river-rich Central Asia.
Also in attendance at the unveiling were key policymakers and industrial stakeholders, including Deputy Minister of Industry and Construction Rakhymzhan Isakulov, who voiced support for ongoing investment in military-industrial infrastructure.
“Our goal is to create a high-tech, resilient defense sector that not only meets national needs but contributes to economic diversification,” Isakulov said.
The government’s defense-industrial strategy includes initiatives for local R&D, educational partnerships, dual-use technologies, and long-term cooperation with foreign firms.
The Terrex – Barys A 8×8 serves as a symbol of Kazakhstan’s broader strategic pivot toward greater self-reliance in defense production and technology development. This move is driven by both geopolitical factors and internal aspirations for technological sovereignty.
With a growing number of regional flashpoints and global supply chain disruptions, Kazakhstan’s leaders recognize the importance of domestically produced and maintainable military assets.
The unveiling of the Barys A 8×8 shows that Kazakhstan is not just a consumer of defense technologies—but an emerging producer and innovator, shaping its own future on the battlefield and in the global arms market.
