New Volat V2 8x8 APC enters service in Belarus to reduce reliance on Russian-made armored vehicles.

According to Gazeta.ru on May 16, 2025, the State Military-Industrial Committee of the Republic of Belarus confirmed that the Volat V2 armored personnel carrier (APC), designated MZKT-690003-021, was adopted into service with the Belarusian Armed Forces after completing state trials. This four-axle, 8x8 wheeled vehicle, developed by the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant (MZKT), is the first fully domestically produced APC of its category in Belarus. It will be publicly presented at the MILEX-2025 military exhibition in Minsk, scheduled from May 21 to 24.
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The Volat V2 armored personnel carrier (APC), also designated MZKT-690003-021, is the first vehicle of its class to be fully developed and manufactured domestically in Belarus, by the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant (MZKT). (Picture source: Volat Defence)

The Volat V2 was designed to perform functions such as troop transportation, fire support, amphibious operations, and special mission deployment. Its adoption is part of Belarus’s strategy to replace legacy Soviet-era vehicles, including the BTR-70, BTR-80, BMP-1, and BMP-2, with a vehicle that integrates contemporary standards in protection, mobility, and firepower. The development of the Volat V2 is linked to the earlier "Umka" program, initiated between 2008 and 2010 in collaboration with Russian entities. This project was halted due to insufficient funding and a lack of formal contractual agreements.

MZKT resumed the project independently in 2016, and a prototype was first publicly displayed at MILEX-2021. The V2 follows a layout with a front-mounted engine and transmission, a central crew section, and a rear troop compartment accessed via a powered ramp. The welded armored hull provides frontal protection rated to Br5 and side armor to Br4 under GOST 34282-2017. Anti-mine protection meets STANAG 4569 level 2a/2b standards, with resistance to blasts from 6 kg of TNT under the wheels and 1 kg under the hull.

Power is provided by a Weichai WP13.550A0 or WP13.560 six-cylinder diesel engine producing 550 to 560 horsepower and 2300 Nm of torque at 1400 rpm. The engine is paired with an MZKT-55613 automatic six-speed transmission and a two-speed transfer case with locking differentials. The vehicle achieves speeds over 110 km/h on roads and up to 10 km/h in water using dual water-jet propulsion units. Its operational range varies between 900 and 1200 km with fuel stored in two 220-liter tanks. The suspension is a fully independent hydropneumatic system. Run-flat 14.00R20 tubeless tires and a central tire inflation system enhance mobility. The V2 can climb gradients of 31 degrees, clear vertical obstacles of 0.5 meters, cross trenches up to 2 meters wide, and operate in temperatures from -40 °C to +40 °C. It is transportable by platforms such as the Il-76, An-22, An-124, A400M, C-5, and C-17.

The Volat V2 is available in three versions: the MZKT-690003-010 mounts a standard BMP-2 turret, the MZKT-690003 introduces a revised BMP-2 turret, and the MZKT-690003-021 integrates the Adunok-BM30.2 remote weapon station. (Picture source: BelTechExport)

The crew consists of three personnel, a driver, a commander, and a gunner, with space for eight dismounted personnel. The vehicle’s interior includes climate control, nuclear-biological-chemical filtration and ventilation, an auxiliary diesel generator for powering systems when the main engine is off, and suspended seats to reduce blast effects. A digital Battlefield Information Management System (BIUS-10) monitors and manages system data. Additional systems include a 10-ton capacity winch (extendable to 20 tons with a pulley), two bilge pumps, water ingress alarms, external wide-angle cameras, and a telescopic air intake. The V-shaped floor and armored belly contribute to blast mitigation, and the rear ramp integrates an emergency escape door.

The armament package on the adopted variant includes the remote-controlled Adunok-BM30.2 module, produced by the Display Design Bureau. It features a 30mm 2A42 automatic cannon, a 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun, four externally mounted Konkurs-RB anti-tank guided missiles, and six smoke grenade launchers. The module’s fire control system includes a Catherine-CF thermal imager, daytime television camera, laser rangefinder, and a digital ballistic computer. Stabilization across two axes allows engagement while the vehicle is moving. Targets can be acquired at distances up to 6.5 km and engaged effectively at ranges up to 4 km. An alternative configuration uses a modified BMP-2 turret with similar primary weapons and targeting optics resembling those of the Berezhok module.

Inside the crew compartment, fire control data and external camera feeds are displayed on digital monitors. The commander and gunner each operate independent targeting units with electro-optical sights. The Adunok-BM30.2 is also equipped with the Tucha aerosol screening system to reduce susceptibility to guided munitions. Fire safety and NBC protection are supported by automatic fire extinguishers, smoke evacuation equipment, and high-efficiency air filtration. Observation capabilities include a 360-degree camera suite and thermal channels. The crew station provides continuous diagnostic updates via the vehicle’s integrated systems.

The Volat V2 follows a layout with a front-mounted engine and transmission, a central crew section, and a rear troop compartment accessed via a powered ramp. (Picture source: BelTechExport)

The Volat V2 is available in several versions. The MZKT-690003-010 variant mounts a standard BMP-2 turret. The MZKT-690003 variant introduces a revised BMP-2 turret. The MZKT-690003-021 configuration integrates the Adunok-BM30.2 remote weapon station. The platform’s modularity allows for weapon and system adaptation depending on operational requirements or export demand. The combat weight reaches up to 23.5 tons. The layout facilitates dismounting while stationary or in motion. Troop seats are elevated and isolated from the floor structure to reduce injury from blast overpressure or mine detonation.

Prior to the adoption of the Volat V2, Belarus acquired 65 BTR-82A vehicles and 25 T-72B3 main battle tanks from Russia, and also upgraded a number of BTR-70s to the BTR-70MB1 standard. The Volat V2 differs by being the first indigenous armored platform of its type to enter Belarusian service. It is intended to progressively substitute legacy systems with a domestically controlled production line. Some variants currently do not include integrated ATGMs, but future upgrades may incorporate Belarusian Shershen-Q launchers compatible with RK-2 series munitions. The vehicle is also proposed for export markets, and its operational results may influence future procurement decisions.

Although the platform has been formally introduced into service, its widespread fielding will require investments in manufacturing, personnel training, and logistical support. The replacement of multiple older vehicle types involves long-term planning and resources. Nonetheless, the Volat V2 aligns with current trends in wheeled armored vehicle development and provides a Belarus-origin option for modernizing mechanized infantry formations. Its public presentation at MILEX-2025 will serve to inform potential domestic and international users of its specifications, mission applications, and production status.