ST Engineering makes foray into Central Asia with Kazakhstan vehicle contract

ST ENGINEERING’S international defence business has secured a strategic partnership with Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering (KPE) to set up production capabilities for a new military vehicle, the company said on Friday (Dec 6).

The 8×8 amphibious multi-purpose armoured vehicle will be manufactured at KPE’s production facility in Kazakhstan. Its design and production will be based on ST Engineering’s field-tested Terrex Infantry Fighting Vehicle, which can operate effectively in “open water conditions”. 

ST Engineering will provide engineering and technical support for the construction of the vehicle, which begins in 2025.

President of ST Engineering’s land systems business Lim Kok Ann said that the collaboration marks the company’s entry into the new market of Central Asia.

The partnership is part of ST Engineering’s international defence business’ strategy to pursue growth through localisation, in-country operations support and licensing with industry partners.  

Lim said that it is a breakthrough for the company’s land systems business, being the “first significant international land platform contract” the business has secured in recent years.

Chairman of KPE’s supervisory board Aibek Baryssov said that the collaboration will combine ST Engineering’s capabilities with KPE’s experience in deep localisation, scientific research, and the operation of armoured vehicles in Kazakhstan’s unique geographic conditions. 

This will enable it to “fully meet the needs of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan for amphibious 8×8 vehicles”, he said.

KPE’s current production capabilities stand at 500 units of various types of armoured vehicles per year per shift.

He added that ST Engineering and KPE have plans for “new stages of collaboration on various projects”, but did not elaborate.