During EDEX 2021, Egypt Defense Exhibition, the Egyptian defense industry has displayed a new 4x4 armored vehicle based on the French ARQUUS chassis of Sherpa Light 4x4 light tactical vehicle. The vehicle is developed in Egypt with the collaboration of the Engineering Industrial complex, part of the Egyptian Vehicles Department as well as Engineering Industrial Complex and Egyptian military factories.

Egyptian Sherpa 4x4 light tactical armored vehicle at EDEX 2021, Egypt Defense Exhibition.(Picture source Army Recognition)

Citing information from French company ARQUUS, the chassis of the new Egyptian Sherpa is delivered by ARQUUS while the design, manufacturing, and assembly of the armored hull are performed in Egypt by the Engineering Industrial Complex.

The new Egyptian Sherpa Light version is based on the Sherpa Light, a 4x4 light tactical vehicle fully developed and designed by the French company ARQUUS formerly RTD (Renault Trucks Defense). The vehicle was launched in June 2006 during the International Defense Exhibition in Paris, EurosatoThe layout of the Sherpa Light is conventional with the engine at the front, crew and troops compartment in the middle, and cargo area at the rear. There are two seats at the front for the driver and commander and two or three seats at the rear. According to our first analysis, the Egyptian version of the Sherpa Light is fitted with new armor providing B6 protection against the firing of small arms 7.62mm calibers. The rear part of the vehicles has been modified to offer a fully enclosed cargo area.

The Egyptian Sherpa is fitted with a remotely operated weapon station which is mounted at the front of the roof. The turret is armed with a 7.62mm machine gun.

The new Egyptian Sherpa is powered by a 4.7 liter Diesel engine developing 180 hp at 2,300 rpm and can run at a maximum road speed of 100 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 800 km. The vehicle has an empty weight of 8,695 kg with a maximum payload capacity of 705 kg. Standard equipment of the Egyptian Sherpa includes anti-blast seats, external cameras, night vision system. It has a crew a of two and can accommodate up to 4 military personnel.

According to the SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) arms trade database, the French company ARQUUS has delivered a total of 173 Sherpa Light to the Egyptian armed forces, and now Egypt is going to manufacture locally this French-origin tactical armored vehicle using the new design version.