Recently, wheeled armored vehicles have become widespread, which are adapted for use in conditions of local conflicts. As a rule, such vehicles are created on the basis of the KrAZ vehicle.
Since the 90s of the last century, such machines have been used in various hot spots. But then mainly improvised KrAZ trucks were used, which were booked in workshops in semi-handicraft conditions. KrAZ trucks, with their high cross-country ability, unique strength and high carrying capacity, have proven themselves in the armies of many countries of the world and were the best suited as a base for creating a serious armored vehicle. Therefore, it is not surprising that professional developers of armored vehicles in different countries began to show interest in them.
Then the KrAZ-6322 appeared, a water-cannon vehicle, an impromptu armored car based on the KrAZ-256B.
In 2006, the Italian company Vehicle Engineering designed and produced a small series of an armored vehicle based on the KrAZ-6322, which was intended to transport UN special missions in Southeast Asia, as well as to support anti-terrorist operations.
In 2007, within the framework of the international arms exhibition IDEX-2007, which was held in Abu Dhabi, an armored Raptor MTTV based on the same KrAZ-6322 was successfully demonstrated. This vehicle was designed to escort convoys.
In 2010, the designers of AvtoKrAZ in joint development with the Indian company Shri Laksmi Defense Solutions Ltd. The KrAZ MPV armored personnel carrier was designed and manufactured, based on the KrAZ-5233.
And finally, the latest development is the KRAZ-ASV Panther armored vehicle, presented at the IDEX-2013 arms exhibition. At first glance, it may seem that this is some kind of British or American tank truck. In fact, this is a joint development of the Kremenchug plant AvtoKrAZ and Ares Security Vehicles LLC from the United Arab Emirates. The name Panther indicates that this armored vehicle belongs to the Panther family of armored vehicles, which are produced by an Arab company. Almost all units and assemblies are produced by the Ukrainian company, and in terms of its versatility and appearance, this car can give odds to the American armored personnel carrier Cadillac.
Considering the fact that the arms exhibition changed its offensive, rather aggressive focus to defensive and peacekeeping, the vehicle is painted white. Thus, the creators of the armored vehicle focus on the main purpose of the vehicle - to work as part of UN peacekeeping missions and use it for the safe transportation of personnel.
The KRAZ-ASV Panther armored vehicle was highly appreciated by weapons experts from around the world. The main audience of visitors to the exhibition was unanimous in the opinion that the armored vehicle is primarily attractive because it can be made in several different versions: it can be used as an armored personnel carrier, a combat reconnaissance vehicle, a combat support vehicle, as well as a command and staff vehicle, a logistic armored vehicle. armored car of medical assistance.
In addition, it is very important for representatives of the defense departments of different countries that it is possible to carry out a car reservation in the protection range from STANAG 4569 Level 1 to STANAG 4569 Level 3 ballistic protection + STANAG 4569 Level 4 armor-piercing protection according to NATO standards.
Thus, it is assumed that the KrAZ-ASV Panther should provide protection against a 155-mm high-explosive fragmentation charge, which detonated at a distance of about 30 meters from the armored car, as well as from the B-32 bullet (cartridge 14, 5x114 mm), which was fired on distance up to 200 meters. In addition, the vehicle provides protection against detonation of an anti-tank mine, the weight of which is 10 kilograms, in the event of its detonation under the bottom or wheel.
This armored vehicle is based on the KrAZ-6322 and KrAZ-5233BE vehicles with 4x4 and 6x6 wheel configurations. The KRAZ-ASV Panther is equipped with modern weapons, passive and active protection means, and a modern large Direct LED panel is installed in the cabin itself, thanks to which you can monitor what is happening outside.
This armored vehicle is equipped with an 8-cylinder diesel engine YaMZ-238DE2 with a capacity of 330 horsepower, a 9JS150TA-B gearbox and has a single-plate clutch.
The combat weight of the KRAZ-ASV Panther armored vehicle is 16 tons, while on the highway it can reach speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour.
The indisputable advantage of the new development is the ability to equip an armored vehicle with a combat module with the ability to remotely control, various kinds of surveillance systems, as well as a full set of communication equipment. In addition, it is possible to vary the capacity of the vehicle: a driver, an operator plus ten paratroopers equipped with a combat module or a machine-gun turret, or a driver plus 14 paratroopers.
As noted above, the new product was positively received by high-ranking heads of not only Ukrainian departments, which were part of the delegation from Ukraine, but also by foreign specialists. In particular, the work of AvtoKrAZ to expand the range of special-purpose vehicles was noted. In addition, the high tactical and technical characteristics of the KRAZ-ASV Panther did not go unnoticed.
As a result, the Ukrainian delegation held a large number of successful negotiations with delegations from many countries in Europe, Africa, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Thus, we can say that the KRAZ-ASV Panther armored vehicle will soon take its place in the world among similar equipment of its class. Indeed, based on the information of the press center of PJSC "AvtoKrAZ", the enterprise already has a number of orders for this development, but not from Ukraine …
Specifications:
Weight 17, 3 tons.
Length ~ 8 m.
Width ~ 3, 15 m.
Height ~ 3.1 m.
Armament: optional machine guns / combat module.
The YaMZ-238D diesel engine.
Engine power 330 HP
The maximum speed on the highway is 90 km / h.
Cruising range ~ 1000 km.
The climb is 60%.
Lateral roll 30%.
The height of the wall to be overcome is ~ 0.5 m.
The width of the ditch to be overcome is ~ 0.5 m.
The depth of the ford to be overcome is 1.5 m.
