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Oncilla

The Oncilla armored personnel carrier is a joint Polish-Ukrainian development, created on the basis of the Dozor-B armored car produced by the Kharkiv Morozov Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering (KHMKB) with a 4×4 wheel formula. The machine was developed by Lacenaire Limited in cooperation with the Polish company MISTA, which acted as the manufacturer. The armored vehicle is designed to carry out combat tasks of landing troops and cover in difficult weather conditions and poor terrain. It accommodates nine people — 6 paratroopers, one gunner, a driver and a commander.

In 2014, the Polish company Mista presented the Oncilla (oncilla, a South American feline predator) wheeled armored vehicle, based on the Dozor-B vehicle from the Kharkov Mechanical Engineering Design Bureau. Subsequently, this sample was repeatedly demonstrated at exhibitions and was able to find customers. By now, mass production has been mastered and orders from two countries have been fulfilled. However, the further fate of the project is questionable and directly depends on its ability to interest new customers.

Oncillas are amongst the smallest of South America’s wild cats. They have short, thick light brown to gray fur, spotted with dark brown rosettes with a black outline. Their eyes range in color from light through to dark brown. These animals are often mistaken for margays or ocelots. Although oncillas are smaller, they otherwise look very similar to these species, oncillas being more slender and having larger ears and a narrower muzzle. Furthermore, their eyes have a more lateral location than those of the margay, and their tails are longer than an ocelot’s.

The body of the armored personnel carrier is made of high-strength armor steel, which provides protection against standard ammunition of the 7,62 x 51 mm type (NATO rifle-machine gun ammunition). To increase the level of protection, additional armor capable of protecting against 12,7 mm bullets of the NATO standard can be used. Therefore, the machine has the second level of protection according to NATO standards (STANAG-4269). The crew is protected by bulletproof glass, which provides a level of protection similar to basic armor. The bottom of the machine has a cylindrical shape for better protection against mines.

The Oncilla is armed with a combat module with one 12,7-mm large-caliber machine gun of the NSV "Utyos". Also, the armored vehicle can be equipped with a fire control system (SUV), which is equipped with a laser range finder, a thermal imager and color television cameras.

the KMDB on its own initiative developed the "Dozor-B" project. For a long time, the Bureau tried to attract the attention of the Ukrainian army, but it was not possible to get an order for new equipment. The production of Dozorov-B was only started in 10. Within a few months, XNUMX machines were built, after which production was curtailed: the customer was not satisfied with the low build quality.

In 2011, the Polish company Mista SP. Z OO (Staleva Wola), which was engaged in the production and repair of construction and road equipment, acquired a license to manufacture Dozora-B. It was reported that Mista is going to finalize the finished armored car and offer it to the Polish armed forces. Also, the possibility of selling equipment to foreign countries was not excluded.

A redesigned armored car called Oncilla was first shown at the Polish exhibition MSPO-2014. As reported, a prototype vehicle designed by Mista was built by the Kiev Armored Plant. The series was to be mastered by a Polish company, with some participation of Ukrainian suppliers. Mista initially considered the Polish armed forces as the first buyer of new armored cars. The Oncilla armored car was offered to its own army, but it was not interested.

In early April 2017, Senegal hosted celebrations dedicated to the Independence Day. At the capital's military parade, a pair of new Oncilla armored cars was seen as part of a mechanized column. When the Senegalese-Polish supply agreement came into being is unknown. The number of vehicles ordered is also unclear. According to The Military Balance 2021, only two Polish armored vehicles remain in service with the African state.

Tests have shown that the Polish armored car has a number of advantages over the Ukrainian Dozor-B. It favorably distinguished itself by its great workmanship and other features. At the same time, some disadvantages passed from one design to another. The conditions and ergonomics of the habitable compartment were unsatisfactory, the cross-country ability remained insufficient, etc.