The units of Russian Naval Infantry (Morskaya Pekhota, MP) deployed to the Far North have begun receiving upgraded multipurpose light armored tractors that are intended for operations in the Arctic Region, a source from the indigenous defense industry told TASS.

MLBSh displayed at Army-2016 (Picture source: Army Recognition)

"The North-based units of the Naval Infantry are now receiving the MLBSh tractor, a serially modernized variant of the Soviet-age MTLB. Moreover, the Naval Infantry has already started to drive those vehicles during various exercises," said the source. According to him, the MLBSh fitted cold weather conditions due to the vehicle`s balance, wide tracks, and reliable engine. "Compared to the baseline MTLB, the upgraded tractor features a more powerful KAMAZ-740 engine. The organic small turret with a Kalashnikov PKT 7.62 mm general purpose machinegun has been replaced by an open mount for a 12.7 mm heavy machinegun, namely, Kord or NSVT," said the source, adding that the upgraded tractors had been maintained and overhauled.

The defense industry is now searching for another way to modernize the MTLB. "The vehicle has confirmed its effectiveness under cold climate conditions. It functions as both tractor and armored personnel carrier," said the source.