Based on M113A1.

Further development by the Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) facility of the Talha Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) has resulted in the Saad APC, which was shown for the first time late in 2004. As of mid-2007 it is understood that the Saad remained at the prototype stage.

Saad is essentially a stretched version of the Talha with an additional road wheel either side, which gives the vehicle increased internal volume and payload. It also allows the vehicle to undertake a wider range of battlefield missions.

The hull of the Saad is of all-welded Type 5083 aluminium armour construction that provides the occupants with protection from small arms fire and shell splinters.

The overall layout is identical to the now BAE Systems, Ground Systems Division (previously United Defense) M113 with the engine compartment at the front-right and the driver seated at the front-left.

Mounted on the glacis plate, above the trim vane, is a bank of electrically operated smoke grenade launchers that cover the frontal arc.

The driver is seated at the front-left, with a single circular hatch cover above his position that opens to the rear. In front of this are three day periscopes, the central one of which can be replaced from under armour by a passive periscope from under armour protection.

The power pack consists of a Ukrainian 3TD 3-cylinder 2-stroke diesel engine that develops 450 hp, which is coupled to a electro-hydraulic transmission with six forward and two reverse gears.

The diesel fuel tanks are located one either side at the rear of the power operated ramp. This saves valuable space inside the troop compartment.

There is an additional crew position to the rear of the driver's position and this is provided with a single-piece hatch cover that opens to the rear. Mounted in the middle of the roof is a cupola armed with a 0.50 (12.7 mm) machine gun. The gunner is provided with side and rear armour protection.

The troop compartment is at the rear of the hull and the troops enter and leave via a large power-operated ramp at the rear. The upper part of the rear troop compartment sides slope inwards, wherein three firing ports with vision devices above are provided. There is also a roof hatch.

Suspension is of the torsion bar type with either side having six dual rubber-tyred road wheels with the drive sprocket at the front, idler at the rear. The tracks are provided with rubber pads.

There are no track-return rollers and the upper part of the suspension is covered by a rubber flap, which helps reduce dust and improve water flow during amphibious operations.

Saad is fully amphibious and propelled in the water by its tracks. Before entering the water a trim vane is erected at the front of the hull and the bulge pumps are activated.

Standard equipment includes a fire detection and suppression CO2 system in the engine compartment and a CO2 system in the crew compartment, NBC system, air conditioning, spall liners and anti-mine protection for the engine compartment.

It is claimed that the vehicle is fitted with a state-of-the-art battle management system, which includes a computerised command, control, communication, intelligence and information system.

For a higher level of battlefield survivability, additional bolt-on passive armour is available for the vehicle. Other options include an NBC system and various types of night vision equipment.

In addition to being supplied with the 3TD 20 cylinder engine from Ukraine, the Saad is now being marketed with a German powerpack.

This consists of an MTU 6V TE20 V-6 diesel developing 354 hp (with growth potential to 500 hp) coupled to a German LSG-1000 automatic transmission. This gives Saad a maximum road speed of 75 km/h and a speed on a 10 per cent slope of 30 km/h.

Apart from the version mentioned above there are none announced to date but the Saad can be adopted to undertake a wide range of roles and missions because of its increased capacity when compared to earlier vehicles.