Russian Company KAMAZ to develop new family of heavy transporters for Russian MoD TASS 11708162

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Russian Company KAMAZ to develop new family of heavy transporters for Russian MoD.
KAMAZ automotive plant (a subsidiary of the Rostec state corporation) is developing a new unified family of heavy transporters intended for Russia`s Ministry of Defense (MoD), according to a source in the local defense industry.
     
KAMAZ automotive plant (a subsidiary of the Rostec state corporation) is developing a new unified family of heavy transporters intended for Russia`s Ministry of Defense (MoD), according to a source in the local defense industry. According to the ROC “Platform-O” are three types of vehicles: KAMAZ-78504
     
"The MoD is considering the switching to Russian heavy wheeled transporters developed by KAMAZ. At present, the Ministry is collaborating with the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant/Volat company (Russian acronym: MZKT, Minsky Zavod Kolyosnih Tyagachei) in the area of heavy chassis for such vehicles, as Iskander-M (NATO reporting name: SS-26 Stone) mobile tactical missile system and RT-2PM2 Topol-M (SS-27 Sickle B) mobile intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Moscow and Minsk have contradictions over several political issues, and Russia would be eager to buy the Volat company to reduce the aforementioned dependence on Belarusian heavy wheeled tractors. At the same time, the government for Belarus has drawn up an inadequate price for MZKT - about USD3 billion. It has resulted in the cancellation of the proposed deal. USD2 billion would be enough to build a heavy wheeled tractors plant in Russia from the scratch. Hence, Russia`s MoD in efforts to address the issue has sent the relevant request for proposals (RfP) to the automotive enterprises of the indigenous defense industry. In a response to the RfP, KAMAZ has developed the Platforma-O family of heavy chassis. The MoD is supposed to seal its fate in the month to come," the source said.

According to him, the Platforma-O family includes four heavy wheeled vehicles. "Platforma-O comprises KAMAZ-7850 16x16 special wheeled platform with a lifting capacity of 85 t, KAMAZ-78509 12x12 special wheeled platform with a lifting capacity of 60 t, KAMAZ-78504 8x8 wheeled artic intended for towing of a 90 t semi-trailer, and KAMAZ-78508 8x8 wheeled ballast prime mover with a lifting capacity of 75 t intended for the transportation of aircraft on the airfield. It should be noted that KAMAZ-7850 and KAMAZ-78509 are supposed to be used as the mobile ICBM systems` new chassis. There is a plan to integrate them with RS-24 Yars (SS-27 Mod 2) mobile ICBM launchers," the source pointed out.

He added that KAMAZ has enhanced the vehicles. "KAMAZ relies on an innovative design. The company has developed diesel-electric drivetrain with electromotors embedded in center bosses. It has resulted in the reducing of the vehicle`s weight, as it is not equipped with coupler, gearbox, torque divider, shafting, and differentials. Such scheme significantly increases the platform`s serviceability. Such design can be described as an innovative one," the source said.
     
KAMAZ automotive plant (a subsidiary of the Rostec state corporation) is developing a new unified family of heavy transporters intended for Russia`s Ministry of Defense (MoD), according to a source in the local defense industry. MZKT-792210 16x16 wheeled tractor
     
However, the wheeled platforms supplied by Volat to Russia`s Armed Forces remain the backbone of the arsenal of the Strategic Missile Forces` (Russian acronym: RVSN) heavy chassis. "It should be noted that a fierce rivalry between MZKT and KAMAZ is going to break out in the near future. All RVSN`s mobile ICBM systems, such as RT-2PM Topol (SS-25 Sickle) RT-2PM2 Topol-M, and RS-24 Yars are based on the platforms developed and manufactured by Volat. The Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology (Russian acronym: MIT, Moskovskiy Institut Teplotekhniki), Russia`s main developer of ballistic missiles and rockets has already been working with MZKT on the development of the 12x12 wheeled chassis (MZKT-79291-based 12x12 wheeled tractor) intended for the RS-26 Rubezh (SS-X-31) mobile ICBM launcher. It was unveiled in July 2013. MZKT-79291 seems to be the leading competitor in the aforementioned rivalry, as KAMAZ has to enhance the whole Platforma-O family of vehicles," the source said.

Despite the efforts of KAMAZ to shore up its position at Russia`s domestic defense production market, the company is still lagging behind Belarusian MZKT/Volat that supplies all types of heavy wheeled chassis required by Russian Military.

For instance, the RVSN`s modern ICBM systems are based on the MZKT-792210 16x16 wheeled tractor with a lifting capacity of 80 t. It has a full weight of 124,000 kg (including a tractor of 44,000 kg and a payload of 80,000 kg), a range of 500 km, a maximum road speed of 45 km/h and an operating temperature between -45°C and +50°C. MZKT-792210 is powered by YaMZ-847.1 (800 h.p.) V12 diesel engine coupled with hydroshift transmission developed by Volat. The tractor is equipped with an independent hydropneumatic suspension and dual-braking system integrated with air-oil actuator. MZKT-792210 features a rigid framework with front/back towing devices. The tractor has two crew cabins each equipped with controls and instrumentations. Air heater, ventilator, air cooling unit, and self-contained cabin heating system can be optionally installed. MZKT-792210 can be transported by Antonov An-22 (Cock) or Antonov An-124 (Condor) heavy military transport aircraft.
     
KAMAZ automotive plant (a subsidiary of the Rostec state corporation) is developing a new unified family of heavy transporters intended for Russia`s Ministry of Defense (MoD), according to a source in the local defense industry. MZKT-7930-300 8x8 wheeled tractor
     
Volat has already offered MZKT-79291 12x12 wheeled multipurpose platform to Russia`s MoD. MZKT-79291 has a full weight of 90,400 kg (including a tractor of 30,400 kg and a payload of 60,000 kg), a range of 500 km, a maximum road speed of 45 km/h, and an operating temperature between -45°C and +50°C. The tractor is powered by YaMZ-854.10 (650 h.p.) V8 diesel engine coupled with MZKT-5561 hydroshift transmission. MZKT-79291 incorporates an independent hydropneumatic suspension. The vehicle features a composited cabin equipped with controls and instrumentation. Air heater, ventilator, air cooling unit, self-contained cabin heating system, wrench, armoured cabin, and run-flat tires can be optionally installed.

Volat also provides the chassis for Iskander-M mobile tactical missile systems based on MZKT-7930-300 8x8 wheeled tractor. MZKT-7930-300 has a full weight of 45,200 kg (including a tractor of 20,500 kg and a payload of 24,200 kg), a range of 1,000 km, a maximum road speed of 70 km/h, and an operating temperature between -45°C and +50°C. MZKT-7930-300 is powered by YaMZ-846 (503 h.p.) V8 diesel engine coupled with the automatic variant of the MZKT-5561 transmission. Air heater, ventilator, air cooling unit, self-contained cabin heating system, wrench, armoured cabin, and run-flat tires can be optionally installed. Volat is continuing the modernization of the MZKT-7930-300 tractor, according to a source in Belarusian defense industry.

Russia`s JSC Almaz-Antey has integrated MZKT-69222 and MZKT-6922 tractors with the wheeled variant of its Buk-M2 (SA-17 Gadfly) medium-range and Tor-M2K (SA-15 Gauntlet) short-range surface-to-air (SAM) missile systems. MZKT-69222/6922 has a full weight of 36,000 kg (including a tractor of 22,000 kg and a payload of 14,000 kg), a range of 840 km, a maximum road speed of 65 km/h, and an operating temperature between -45°C and +50°C. The tractor is powered by YaMZ-7513.10 (420 h.p.) V8 diesel engine coupled with GMP-400 hydroshift transmission. MZKT-69222/6922 features an independent hydropneumatic suspension and a dual-breaking system. The tractor incorporates integrated digital information-management unit.
     
KAMAZ automotive plant (a subsidiary of the Rostec state corporation) is developing a new unified family of heavy transporters intended for Russia`s Ministry of Defense (MoD), according to a source in the local defense industry. MZKT-740100 8x8 truck chassis
     
According to a Russian military-diplomatic source, Buk-M2 SAM systems based on MZKT-69222/6922 tractors have been delivered to Venezuela, Angola and a number of unspecified foreign countries. Belarus has chosen the vehicle as the chassis for its T38 Stiletto short-range SAM system.

Several Russian heavy self-propelled weapons, such as 9A52 Smerch multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) and S-300PS (SA-10D Grumble) long-range air defense system use MZKT-543M (also designated as MAZ-543M) 8x8 wheeled tractor. Volat has drastically upgraded the MZKT-543M vehicle over the basic model unveiled in 1963. MZKT-543M has a full weight of 43,500 kg (including a tractor of 21,100 kg and a payload of 22,000 kg), a maximum road speed of 60 km/h, a range of 650 km, and an operating temperature between -45°C and +50°C. The tractor is powered by D12A-525A (525 h.p.) V12 diesel engine coupled with an automatic transmission developed by Volat. Air heater, ventilator, air cooling unit, self-contained cabin heating system, wrench, armoured cabin, and run-flat tires can be optionally installed.

Volat has also offered MZKT-740100 8x8 wheeled automotive train and MZKT-937830 semi-trailer to the armour units of Russia`s Armed Forces. MZKT-740100 has a full weight of 43,800 kg (including a trailer of 16,650 kg and a payload of 27,150 kg), a range of 450 km, a maximum road speed of 80 km/h, and an operating temperature between -45° C and +50°C. The tractor is powered by YaMZ-7511 (400 h.p.) V8 diesel engine coupled with the MZKT-65151 manual transmission. Air heater, ventilator, Webasto air cooling unit, self-contained cabin heating system, wrench, armoured cabin, run-flat tires, Webasto engine pre-heater, Spear heated fuel strainer, and spark-guard can be optionally installed.

The MZKT-937830 semi-trailer has a full weight of 69,000 kg (including a semi-trailer of 21,000 kg and a payload of 48,000 kg). It is intended for the transportation of T-72B/B3/B3M, T-90A and T-90SM main battle tanks (MBT).

Hence, Volat delivers (or has a capacity to deliver) the full range of automotive vehicles to Russia`s Armed Forces. According to Russian defense analysts, the rivalry between Volat and KAMAZ is going to be won be the Minsk-based enterprise. The cooperation between the Russia`s MoD and MZKT in the area of heavy chassis dates back to the early 1990s. The vehicles produced by Volat have proven their reliability, low-cost service life and high performance. Hence, there is no need in switching to the KAMAZ tractors, even considering the cooldown in the relations between Minsk and Moscow. Moreover, KAMAZ has faced several issues in the area of the Platforma-O vehicles` reliability and maintenance, while MZKT offers proven tractors being produced on a serial basis. Volat seems to remain the sole vendor of heavy wheeled automotive platforms to Russia`s MoD in the foreseeable future. In such context, the chances of KAMAZ to be awarded with defense contract for such type of vehicles are extremely low.
     
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