MZKT-490101 is a light armoured vehicle manufactured by Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant. Image courtesy of MWTP.

The vehicle was displayed at the ARMY-2020 International Military and Technical Forum held in August 2020. Image courtesy of MWTP.

The MZKT-490101 armoured vehicle is powered by a Doosan DL06 engine. Image courtesy of MWTP.

The light armoured vehicle has a maximum speed of 110km/h. Image courtesy of MWTP.

MZKT-490101 is a new 4×4 light armoured vehicle (LAV) being manufactured by Volat (Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant JSC), a Belarusian manufacturer of heavy-duty wheeled vehicles.

The vehicle is designed to safely transport the crew in adverse operating conditions andprotect them from small arms and explosive devices.

The Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant intends to deliver the vehicle to the export customers. The export variant of the armoured vehicle was presented at the 6th international defence technology forum Army 2020 held at the Patriot Congress and Exhibition Centre in Moscow, in August 2020.

The exhibition also showcased 200 other defence products manufactured by Belarusian defence companies.

MZKT-490101 armoured vehicle design and features

The monolithic all-welded hull of the LAV is made of Miilux armoured steel. It is equipped with arm support for mounting crew-operated weapons. The roof of the hull is installed with rotating hatch which can also be replaced with a firing module. The vehicle also features a cargo compartment.

MZKT-490101 is the smallest among the armoured vehicles being offered by Volat. The overall length of the vehicle is 5.7m, while width and height are 2.45m and 2.3m, respectively. The LAV has a gross weight of 11,000kg and curb weight of 9,200kg. The maximum payload capacity of the vehicle is 1,800kg.

The windows have double-circuit heating, while the doors are equipped with loopholes. Thelight armoured vehicle features five energy absorbing seats, a raised floor, and an anti-mine sump made of special steel. The armoured capsule integrates heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems as well as independent exhaust fan for the crew comfort.

The engine compartment is fitted with an automatic fire extinguishing system, while the front section of the vehicle is installed with a winch made of modern synthetic material. The electric self-recovery winch has a pulling force of up to 7.4t.

Volat MZKT-490101 equipment

The vehicle is equipped with an on-board information andcontrol system (BIUS) and Hella LED optics. The BIUS features two colour graphic displays presenting the vehicle parameters and the image of the circular video review system.

The interiors are fitted with LED lighting and the vehicle is also installed with devices for the movement in the column in blackout mode during night time.

Self-protection capabilities

The light armoured vehicle provides Br4 protection level which complies with the 34282-2017 GOST standard. With the addition of modular armour, the ballistic protection can be increased to level 2 and the anti-mine protection to 2a/2b according to STANAG 4569.

Engine and mobility of Volat MZKT-490101

The light armoured vehicle is powered by a Doosan DL06 six-cylinder engine which generates a power output of 270hp.

The engine is coupled to a six-speed Allison automatic hydro-mechanical transmission (USA) system with six forward and one rear gears. The two-speed transfer case by ADS is connected into a single power unit with the engine and transmission.

The power-plant allows the vehicle to travel at a maximum speed of 110km/h and attain a cruising range of 900km.

The independent suspension system with spring elastic elements and silent blocks ensures a stable and smooth ride to the occupants.

The wheel disks of the vehicle feature air supply channels which are designed to avoid damage from outside. The wheels are also equipped with run-flat inserts.

The vehicle can negotiate a gradient of 60% and side slope of 50%. It can cross a trench of 0.7m wide and ford a maximum depth of 1.2m.

The Volat MZKT-490101 LAV can operate in varied climate conditions with temperatures from -40°C to +55°C. The vehicle is air transportable through C130, A400M, C-5 and C-17 military transport aircraft.