Defense industry of Iran presents local-made Howeizeh tracked APC at IQDEX 2019

During the IQDEX 2019, International Defence Exhibition in Iraq which was held from the 9 to 12 March 2019, the Iranian defense industry has presented its development of light tracked APC (Armored Personnel Carrier) dubbed Howeizeh. A video about the vehicle was released during the event.

New Howeizeh APC during the military exercise Great Prophet 11 in February 2017.  (Picture source YJC)

The Howeizeh is designed to be used as APC (Armored Personnel Carrier) vehicle. Two variants of the vehicle were unveiled during the military exercise "Great Prophet 11" in February 2017.

The design of the vehicle is divided into three main parts with the driver seat at the front left side of the hull with the engine compartment on its right and the troop’s area at the rear. The independent suspension either side consists of five small road wheels with the drive sprocket at the front and the idler at the rear.

At the rear of the roof, the vehicle is armed with single 23mm cannon, which seems similar to the Soviet-made ZU-23-2, anti-aircraft twin-barreled automatic cannon.

The soldiers enter and leave the vehicle through a large hydraulically operated ramp located at the rear of the hull that opens downwards. The vehicle provides protection against firing of small arms and artillery shell splinters.