The Russian Armed Forces have tested the newest light multi-role ‘Lada 4 x 4’ pickup vehicle designed to carry sub-machine guns. The new Lada pickup has participated in the Victory Parade on Red Square in Moscow for the first time on May 9, 2019.

Lada 4 x 4 pickup vehicle at Victory Day military parade rehearsal. May 4, 2019. (Picture source Vitaly Kuzmin)

A Russian defense industry source told TASS that the vehicle had been assigned to the Russian Airborne Troops.

"The Russian Airborne Troops used the first ‘Lada 4 x4’ pickup vehicle with a 12.7mm large-caliber submachine gun Kord 6P50 during the Vostok-2018 military exercises. The experience proved to be positive. The paratroopers fitted out with those vehicles fulfilled their combat tasks promptly. At present, the Russian Airborne Troops use the vehicle for tactical exercises," the source said.

He added that prospects for arming the ‘Lada 4 x 4’ pickups with heavier weapons were being considered. "I do not rule out that the pickup may be armed with Kornet anti-tank missiles and a 30mm AGS-30 mounted grenade launcher. It is a logical solution designed to increase the firepower and the mobility of the Airborne Troops," the source said.