NIMR AJBAN: UAE 4×4 protected tactical vehicle family

Photo: Karel Šubrt / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

United Arab EmiratesLight tactical vehicleIn production

Ballistic- and blast-protected 4x4 family from EDGE Group's NIMR

AJBAN is a family of 4x4 ballistic- and blast-protected light tactical and patrol vehicles made by NIMR, EDGE Group's wheeled-vehicle company in Abu Dhabi. Used by the UAE Armed Forces and Abu Dhabi Police, it is in production in its redesigned AJBAN MK2 form.

11,500 kgGVW (MK2)

~2.9 tPayload (MK2)

296-360 hpEngine (MK2)

110 km/hMax speed

700 kmRange

115 ATGM carriersUAE order (AJBAN 440A, 2017)

What is the NIMR AJBAN? Overview and development

AJBAN is NIMR's protected 4x4 line, produced alongside the JAIS MRAP and the 6x6 HAFEET. It has been built in several configurations, from special-forces reconnaissance vehicles to anti-tank missile carriers and police patrol vehicles.

NIMR unveiled the open-top AJBAN LRSOV, a long-range special operations and reconnaissance vehicle, at IDEX in February 2015, and Defense News reported it had been fielded by the UAE Armed Forces by 2017. On 23 February 2017 NIMR announced UAE Armed Forces contracts for more than 1,750 vehicles, which included 115 AJBAN 440A vehicles armed with anti-tank guided missile systems. The 440A had a foreign industrial input: Czech company VOP CZ was making its armoured cabins under a NIMR partnership and showed the vehicle at IDET 2017 in Brno, Monch reported.

AJBAN MK2 design, protection and mobility

The MK2 is a substantial redesign. Janes reported in October 2022 that it adopts a monocoque V-hull armour body for mine-blast protection, with more ballistic and blast protection, new axles with ABS and payload raised from 1.2 to 2.9 tonnes. The V-shaped underside is intended to deflect blast away from the crew compartment. The MK2 shares about 90% of its components with the 6x6 HAFEET MK2.

The vehicle is 5.62 m long, 2.35 m wide and 2.39 m high, with a gross vehicle weight of 11,500 kg and room for up to five crew. A diesel engine delivers 1,100 Nm through a six-speed automatic gearbox. Output is quoted as 296 hp by Army Recognition or 300 hp by Janes in standard form, and EDGE lists a 360 hp (268 kW) option. Top speed is 110 km/h and cruising range is 700 km at 80 km/h. A manual or remote roof mount accepts weapons up to a 12.7 mm machine gun or a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher.

AJBAN production, police order and operators

EDGE formally presented the AJBAN MK2 on 4 June 2023, and mine-blast tests were carried out with LAHAB, another EDGE entity. Completion of the MK2 upgrade across NIMR's AJBAN, HAFEET and JAIS lines was announced in February 2024, ahead of World Defense Show.

In February 2023, at IDEX, NIMR won an AED 72 million contract placed through the Tawazun Economic Council to supply AJBAN Internal Security Vehicles to Abu Dhabi Police, with deliveries from 2024. The order extended the AJBAN family from military service into internal security use. The UAE is the only confirmed operator of the AJBAN family, and no export customer has been announced.

AJBAN specifications: dimensions, weight, engine and armament

Length (MK2)	5.62 m
Width (MK2)	2.35 m
Height (MK2)	2.39 m
Gross vehicle weight (MK2)	11,500 kg
Payload (MK2)	About 2.9 t (up from 1.2 t on MK1)
Crew (MK2)	Up to 5
Engine (MK2)	Diesel, 296 hp standard or 360 hp (268 kW) option
Torque	1,100 Nm
Transmission	6-speed automatic
Max speed	110 km/h
Cruising range	700 km at 80 km/h
Hull	Monocoque V-hull armour body for mine-blast protection
Armament options	Manual or remote roof mount, up to 12.7 mm MG or 40 mm AGL
Brakes / axles (MK2)	New axles with ABS

AJBAN variants: 440A, LRSOV, MK2 and Internal Security Vehicle

AJBAN 440AProtected 4x4 used by the UAE as an anti-tank guided missile carrier; armoured cabins partly made by Czech VOP CZ.

AJBAN LRSOVOpen-top long-range special operations / reconnaissance vehicle unveiled at IDEX 2015 and in UAE service by 2017.

AJBAN MK2Redesigned monocoque V-hull version with higher payload and protection; first deliveries planned from January 2023.

AJBAN Internal Security VehiclePolice configuration ordered by Abu Dhabi Police in 2023.

How did AJBAN come to be? Development and industrial background

The AJBAN line began with a special-forces vehicle. NIMR unveiled the open-top AJBAN LRSOV, a long-range special operations and reconnaissance vehicle, at IDEX in February 2015, and Defense News reported it had been fielded by the UAE Armed Forces by 2017.

From that start the family widened into protected 4x4 patrol and carrier vehicles. The AJBAN 440A, an anti-tank guided missile carrier, was included in the UAE Armed Forces contracts announced on 23 February 2017 for more than 1,750 vehicles, in which 115 AJBAN 440A were ordered alongside JAIS and HAFEET.

Where is AJBAN produced? Manufacturer, partners and local content

AJBAN is built by NIMR, the UAE's wheeled military vehicle manufacturer, at Ajban in Abu Dhabi. NIMR became part of EDGE Group on its formation in 2019 and also produces the JAIS and HAFEET families.

The AJBAN 440A had foreign industrial input. In 2017 Czech company VOP CZ was making armoured cabins for it under a NIMR partnership, and showed the vehicle at IDET 2017 in Brno, according to Monch. For the MK2, mine-blast tests were carried out with LAHAB, another EDGE entity, which shows the group's internal supply chain at work.

Who has ordered or tested AJBAN? Military and police service

The UAE is the only confirmed operator of the AJBAN family, and no export customer has been announced. Military use covers the LRSOV reconnaissance vehicle and the 440A missile carrier.

The family also entered internal security work. At IDEX in February 2023 NIMR won an AED 72 million contract, placed through the Tawazun Economic Council, to supply AJBAN Internal Security Vehicles to Abu Dhabi Police, with deliveries from 2024. The AJBAN MK2 was formally presented by EDGE on 4 June 2023, with first deliveries planned from January 2023 according to Janes in October 2022.

AJBAN MK2 compared with the earlier AJBAN and the HAFEET MK2

Janes reported that the MK2 raises payload from 1.2 to 2.9 tonnes and adopts a monocoque V-hull with more ballistic and blast protection and new axles with ABS. The earlier AJBAN did not carry that much, so the change is large in load terms.

The MK2 shares about 90% commonality with the 6x6 HAFEET MK2, which simplifies spares and training for users of both. Engine output is quoted as 296 hp by Army Recognition and 300 hp by Janes, with a 360 hp option per EDGE. Completion of the MK2 upgrade across AJBAN, HAFEET and JAIS was announced in February 2024.

AJBAN timeline: key dates from IDEX 2015 to the MK2

February 2015NIMR unveils the open-top AJBAN LRSOV at IDEX.
2017The AJBAN LRSOV is fielded by the UAE Armed Forces, and VOP CZ makes armoured cabins for the AJBAN 440A.
23 February 2017NIMR announces UAE contracts for more than 1,750 vehicles, including 115 AJBAN 440A.
October 2022Janes reports the AJBAN MK2 redesign with a monocoque V-hull and payload up to 2.9 tonnes.
February 2023NIMR wins an AED 72 million contract for AJBAN Internal Security Vehicles for Abu Dhabi Police.
4 June 2023EDGE formally presents the AJBAN MK2.
February 2024Completion of the MK2 upgrade across the AJBAN, HAFEET and JAIS lines is announced.

Which countries use the AJBAN?

United Arab EmiratesIn service

About NIMR: who builds AJBAN

NIMR (EDGE Group)

NIMR is the UAE's wheeled military vehicle manufacturer, based at Ajban in Abu Dhabi. It became part of EDGE Group on its formation in 2019 and also produces the JAIS and HAFEET families. For the AJBAN 440A, Czech company VOP CZ made armoured cabins under a NIMR partnership. NIMR's UAE Armed Forces contracts announced in February 2017 covered more than 1,750 vehicles across its three families.

NIMR AJBAN FAQ: MK2, performance and users

What is the NIMR AJBAN?

AJBAN is a family of 4x4 ballistic- and blast-protected light tactical and patrol vehicles made by NIMR, part of EDGE Group, in Abu Dhabi.

What changed with the AJBAN MK2?

The MK2 has a monocoque V-hull, more ballistic and blast protection, new axles with ABS and payload increased from 1.2 to 2.9 tonnes.

How fast is the AJBAN?

The AJBAN has a maximum speed of 110 km/h and a cruising range of 700 km at 80 km/h.

How heavy is the AJBAN MK2?

The MK2 has a gross vehicle weight of 11,500 kg and a payload of about 2.9 t.

Which countries use the AJBAN?

The United Arab Emirates, including the UAE Armed Forces and Abu Dhabi Police.

What weapons can the AJBAN carry?

A manual or remote roof mount takes up to a 12.7 mm machine gun or a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher. The AJBAN 440A version carries anti-tank guided missiles.

What is the AJBAN LRSOV?

The AJBAN LRSOV is an open-top long-range special operations and reconnaissance vehicle that NIMR unveiled at IDEX in February 2015. It was fielded by the UAE Armed Forces by 2017.

What is the AJBAN 440A?

The AJBAN 440A is a protected 4x4 used by the UAE as an anti-tank guided missile carrier. The UAE ordered 115 in 2017.

Who makes the AJBAN 440A armoured cabin?

Czech company VOP CZ was making armoured cabins for the AJBAN 440A under a NIMR partnership in 2017, according to Monch.

Do Abu Dhabi Police use the AJBAN?

Yes. NIMR won an AED 72 million contract in February 2023 to supply AJBAN Internal Security Vehicles to Abu Dhabi Police, with deliveries from 2024.

How much payload does the AJBAN MK2 carry?

Janes reported that the AJBAN MK2 payload increased from 1.2 to 2.9 tonnes, with a new monocoque V-hull.

How is the AJBAN MK2 related to HAFEET?

Janes reported that the AJBAN MK2 shares about 90% commonality with the 6x6 HAFEET MK2.

When was the AJBAN MK2 presented?

EDGE formally presented the AJBAN MK2 on 4 June 2023, with mine-blast tests carried out with EDGE entity LAHAB.