In response to emerging market requirements for a low-cost vehicle that would be capable of undertaking a wide range of roles and missions, early in 2005 Saymar commenced development of the Genda 290S (4 × 4) light armoured vehicle.

The first prototype was completed in Israel in mid-2005 and this was shown for the first time in public at the DEFEXPO exhibition held in New Delhi, India, in January 2006. Genda is the Hindi name for rhino.

In addition to the first prototype of the Genda two pre-production vehicles have been built, one left-hand drive and one right-hand drive.

Saymar is the overall design authority for the Genda 290S but a number of other companies have also been involved in the programme, including RAFAEL Armament Development Authority of Israel, which has considerable experience in ballistic protection.

In 2006 Saymar completed development of the Genda 290S prototypes and started production of the Genda Mk II light armoured vehicle.

This has several improvements from the prototype vehicles and is the baseline for all future production vehicles.

According to Saymar, the Genda Mk II is suitable for a wide range of missions including border reconnaissance and internal security. The prototype is based on a standard production Indian (4 × 4) chassis, although the same basic design is suitable for a number of other applications.

Saymar could either build production Genda Mk II light armoured vehicles in Israel or supply kits to enable the vehicles to be assembled in the user's own country and integrated onto a local chassis.

The Genda Mk II is the first complete armoured vehicle to be designed and built by the Saymar company, which was established in 1982 and is part of the MIKAL group.

Since then it has become heavily involved in the design, development and manufacture of vehicle upgrade packages for a wide range of tracked (for example M113) and wheeled (for example Panhard General Defense AML armoured car and M3 armoured personnel carrier) armoured vehicles.

In addition, the company has also conducted extensive upgrade projects for the Brazilian EE-11 Urutu (6 × 6) APC and EE-9 Cascavel (6 × 6) armoured car.

The Genda Mk II has a conventional layout, with the engine compartment at the front, commander and driver in the centre and the troop compartment at the rear.

It has a detachable all-welded steel armoured body that provides the occupants with protection from 7.62 × 51 mm ball attack (NATO B6) and shell splinters through a full 360 degrees.

The chassis of the Genda Mk II is of the ladder type and unlike some other vehicles of this type, the Genda Mk II engine compartment is fully armour protected and the underside of the vehicle is provided with protection against blast, such as hand grenades.

The commander and driver are seated at the front of the vehicle with a large one-piece bulletproof window to their front. Each is provided with a side door that opens to the front. This has a bullet proof window in its upper part with a circular firing port below.

Four troops are seated two either side in the rear facing inwards, who enter and leave the vehicle via a large door in the rear that opens to the right. This is provided with a bulletproof window in its upper part and a circular firing port below.

In addition there is an oblong bulletproof window in either side of the rear troop compartment for improved situational awareness.

Weapon fit depends on mission requirements but the prototype of the Genda Mk II is fitted with a roof-mounted 7.62 mm machine gun with front armour protection for the gunner.

Standard equipment includes run-flat tyres, replacement wheel and tyre carried internally in the rear of the vehicle, protected diesel fuel tank, rear observation camera, air conditioning system, roof-mounted searchlight that can be controlled from within the vehicle and a roof-mounted flashing beacon.

• Engine model: OM - 616, D - 98

• Gear box: G-18 five forward and one reverse - synchromesh on all forward gears and sliding mesh on reverse.

• Number of gears: 5 forward, 1 reverse.

• Front Axle: Independent type with one solid torsion bar on each side.

• Rear Axle: Tubular with fully floating type live axle.

• 7.50 x R16, Run flat tires.

• Front: Independent, solid torsion bar with hydraulic telescopic shock absorber & anti-roll bar.

• Rear: Semi elliptic / Parabolic leaf springs with hydraulic telescopic shock absorber & anti-roll bar.

• Service brakes: Hydraulic, dual circuit, Vacuum servo assisted.

• Front: Disc brakes.

• Rear: Duo Servo drum brakes / Simplex drum brakes.

• Parking brake: Mechanical on rear wheels.

• Two side doors with windows, one rear door with window, one firing port in front left door, two side port holes and one rear firing port to fire personal weapons.

• One rotating hatch located at the roof for firing. Easy opening rear door for quick embarking /disembarking.

• Light machine gun or grenade launcher mounted on weapon station with 360° coverage.

• Crew personal weapon operated through 4 port openings.

• Rear observation camera

• Air conditioning system

• Searchlight

• Beacon

• Gross Vehicle Weight: 3250 kg

• Payload: 630 kg

• Length: 4132 mm

• Width: 1852 mm

• Height: 2050 mm

• Ground Clearance: 235 mm

• Approach angle: 40°

• Departure angle: 35°

The vehicle protection consists of a detachable armored capsule attached to the vehicle chassis providing the vehicle with all around (360°) protection, including the engine compartment.

• Top - Withstands direct hit of 7.62X51 balls, 5.56 INSAS and 7.62 AK rifles

• Side, front and rear walls - Withstand direct hits of 7.62 X51 ball, 5.56 INSAS and 7.62 X AK 47/56

• Glass Windshield and Side Glasses: - Same as for sides

• Bottom and Undercarriage: - Passengers / occupants protected against blast of at least a grenade under the vehicle

• Protected engine compartment: - Withstands direct hit of 7.62X51 ball, 5.56 INSAS and 7.62 AK rifles

• Front Protected Machine Gun station

• Run Flat tires

• Protected Spare tire: - located inside the vehicle

• Protected Fuel Tank