The Volat V2 armored personnel carrier (APC) (developed by the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant, MZKT) has been adopted by the Armed Forces of Belarus to reduce dependence on Russian-made armored vehicles, Army Recognition writes.
The four-axle 8x8 wheeled vehicle, developed by the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant (MZKT), is the first fully Belarusian APC.
Previously, Belarus purchased 65 BTR-82A APCs and 25 T-72B3 main battle tanks from Russia, and also modernized the BTR-70 to the BTR-70MB1 standard.
Volat V2 is designed to gradually replace outdated armored vehicles. However, this will require significant investment in scaling up production. The APCs can also be exported to foreign markets.
Volat V2 Specifications:
- Combat weight — 23.5 t
- Engine power — 560 hp
- Road speed — 110 km/h
- Fuel tank capacity — 2 x 200 l
- Armament: 30-mm 2A42 gun, 7.62 mm PKT machine gun
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