Expodefensa 2025: China’s Xinxing 4x4 squad carrier brings protected convoy support to foreign forces.

China Xinxing Import and Export Company is showcasing a 4×4 medium protected squad carrier at Expodefensa 2025 in Bogotá, built on an upgraded CTM134A Class III chassis with seating for a 12-person squad. Framed as an export product, the vehicle pairs mine and ballistic protection with long-range patrol endurance, highlighting growing competition in the global market for modular armored troop carriers.

At Expodefensa 2025 in Bogotá, China Xinxing Import and Export Company is displaying a medium protected squad carrier built on its CTM134A Class III 4×4 chassis, a platform the state-owned exporter is already marketing to foreign forces for urban patrols, counterterrorism, and close to contact transport missions. The vehicle combines an armored hull, a 12 soldier capacity, and a roof mount for a mechanical weapon station with an 8.6-liter intercooled diesel engine and independent suspension, positioning it as a relatively compact but heavily protected option for militaries and security services that need to move small units through high-threat environments.
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The carrier is built on an upgraded CTM134A Class III chassis combined with an armored body and a complete set of electrical, command and control, and communication systems (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The carrier is built on an upgraded CTM134A Class III chassis combined with an armored body and a complete set of electrical, command and control, and communication systems. The driver compartment connects directly to the troop compartment through a four-door configuration that allows continuous internal movement. The roof structure is prepared to accept a mechanized weapon station, which provides an option for immediate fire support during patrols. The powerpack uses an intercooled six-cylinder diesel engine with a displacement of 8.6 liters and a maximum torque of 1500 N·m between 1200 and 1600 rpm. A mechanical automatic transmission, linked to a single gear transfer case with an interaxle differential lock, supplies traction adapted to mixed terrain.

Ballistic protection is defined around a standard in which the frontal armor stops Type 53 7.62 mm Wo-109C armor piercing incendiary rounds fired from 100 meters, while the sides, rear, and floor resist 7.62 mm steel core rounds at the same distance. The underbody is designed to withstand the blast of an explosive device equivalent to 2 kg of TNT, a level of protection now expected for patrols in urban areas where improvised explosive devices remain common. The 395/85R20 tires, combined with a central tire inflation system and internal run flat supports, allow continued movement after perforation and maintain a speed of 30 km/h over a distance of 45 kilometers. The manufacturer states that the platform keeps its capabilities at altitudes up to 5000 meters and in a temperature range from –41 to +46 degrees Celsius, which makes deployment possible in mountainous regions and extreme climates.

Combat weight reaches 13,500 kg with a payload of up to 3000 kg, while curb weight stands at 10,500 kg. The operating range is around 700 kilometers, supported by a main fuel tank of 130 liters and an auxiliary tank of 60 liters, which gives endurance in theaters where logistical support is constrained. The carrier accelerates from 0 to 60 km/h in 22 seconds, maintains a stable speed of 2.5 km/h for delicate crossings, and has a reported fuel consumption of 27 liters per 100 kilometers. The chassis uses an integral power steering system, an independent double wishbone suspension with coil springs and shock absorbers, and a dual circuit pneumatic braking system equipped with ABS and air-operated disc brakes. An auxiliary exhaust brake complements the main brakes.

Overall length is 6650 mm, width 2550 mm, and height 2700 mm, which corresponds to typical dimensions for medium armored carriers. The platform crosses 1200 mm deep water obstacles, climbs a 60 percent gradient,  and negotiates a 550 mm vertical step or a 750 mm trench. Approach and departure angles are 45 and 40 degrees, combined with a minimum ground clearance of 420 mm, which supports mobility on rough terrain. The front and rear axles each allow loads up to 7000 kg. The wheelbase is 3900 mm, and front and rear tracks are 2110 and 2115 mm, parameters that contribute to vehicle stability during rapid maneuvers. Interior equipment includes heating, air conditioning, and seating for a crew of two plus ten dismounts, giving a total of twelve soldiers, depending on the layout.

China Xinxing proposes an optional mechanical weapon station compatible with one heavy machine gun or one grenade launcher, enabling firing from under armor. Side-firing ports, armored windows, and roof hatches provide additional observation and engagement options. The driver noise level is reported at 80 dB at the ear, and the electronic architecture reserves interfaces for the integration of future communication or control systems. The platform is intended for protected transport missions, route security, and support to forces operating in urban and peri-urban areas where direct fire threats and explosive risks remain frequent.

China Xinxing Import and Export Company continues to expand its portfolio of armored vehicles for export and seeks to respond to growing demand for protected platforms from forces that are modernizing their tactical mobility. The presence of this carrier at Expodefensa 2025 illustrates the manufacturer’s intention to strengthen its visibility on international markets, while the wider proliferation of such medium armored transporters reflects a general trend toward the acquisition of versatile solutions to address hybrid and persistent threats in evolving operational environments.