The International Golden Group from the UAE displayed a Kasser II Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected (MRAP) 4×4 vehicle at Defense & Security 2023. It was airlifted from the UAE to Thailand, underscoring a desire by the maker to pursue future sales in the Southeast Asian market.
The Kasser II was unveiled in the Middle East two years ago at IDEX 2021, and a spokesman confirmed with Asian Military Review that it is already in service with the UAE military.
It is manufactured by M4 Industries at Tawazun Industrial Park near Zayed Military City in Abu Dhabi.
The Kasser II appears almost identical to the REVA V from Integrated Convoy Protection (ICP) in South Africa, with cosmetic changes evident such as a revised grille and two-piece windscreen rather than a single one. The relationship between the Kasser and REVA V is indeterminate.
The vehicle was displayed with a Raad I remote-controlled weapon station (RWS), which is actually from Spanish company Escribano. The lightweight RWS accommodates a 14.5mm KPVT machine gun as standard, but an adapter allows other weapons such as a 12.7mm or 7.62mm machine gun, or a 40mm automatic grenade launcher, to be fitted.
The International Golden Group lists a ballistic protection level of B7+, and mine protection of STANAG 4569 Level 4a and 4b. The Kasser II accommodates a commander, driver, gunner and up to six passengers.
The vehicle weighs 16.1 tonnes unladen. Dimensionally, it is 7.05m long, 2.64m wide and 2.81m high. A Cummins 8.9-litre, 400hp, turbocharged engine coupled to an Allison SP3200 transmission propels it to a top speed of 110km/h on roads.
Other vehicles in the family include the slightly smaller Kasser I 4×4, as procured by Egypt, and the larger Kasser III 6×6.
by Gordon Arthur
