Mexican Army showcases Saraf Balam 1 Targeting System at Military Parade.

On August 13, 2023, during the recent military parade commemorating the 109th anniversary of the Teoloyucan Treaties, the Mexican Army drew attention by showcasing its technological development: the Saraf Balam 1 targeting system mounted on armored vehicles. This innovation, stemming from the efforts of the General Directorate of Military Industry, brings new dimensions in terms of protection and operational efficiency.
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Designed for autonomous or remote-controlled operation, the SARAF BALAM 1 encompasses a diverse range of devices, from 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm, and 12.7 mm machine guns to automatic grenade launchers of 40 and 70 mm, anti-tank missiles, observation systems, and anti-aircraft systems. (Picture source: Wikimedia)

This system was developed by the General Directorate of Military Industry with the aim of enhancing the security and operational capabilities of armored vehicles. The initial stages of this deployment involved installing the system on Sandcat and DN-XI armored vehicles, followed by operational tests to assess its performance under real conditions in preparation for potential large-scale production.

The SARAF BALAM 1 remote weapon system stands as a technological achievement of Mexican origin, redefining defense capabilities. Designed for autonomous or remote-controlled operation, the SARAF BALAM 1 encompasses a diverse range of devices, from 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm, and 12.7 mm machine guns to automatic grenade launchers of 40 and 70 mm, anti-tank missiles, observation systems, and anti-aircraft systems. This versatility positions it as an adaptable component, capable of installation on various classes of armored vehicles or even sea patrol boats.

This project's genesis resulted from a collaboration between the General Directorate of Military Industry and the Center for Research in Mathematics A.C. (C.I.M.A.T.), with a development timeline of three and a half years, concluding in December 2015.

The SARAF BALAM 1 is distinguished by its adjustable firing capacity, ranging from single shots to bursts of 30 rounds. Its ammunition compartment offers space for 600 rounds of 5.56x45 mm or 400 rounds of 7.62x51 mm. Its maximum rotation speed of 90 degrees per second and unrestricted directional rotation make it a highly mobile and adaptable system. Moreover, it can point at angles from 45 degrees above to 20 degrees below the horizontal. Vision technology encompasses both daytime color and nighttime grayscale capabilities.