Lazar-2 mine resistant ambush protected vehicle
Partner 2013, the sixth international exhibition of arms and military equipment, in Belgrade saw the unveiling of the Lazar 2 armored vehicle , which was improved significantly compared to its predecessor. Lazar 2 is up to three times cheaper than its counterpart from Finland, Patria, and its advantages in price and equipment are proven by the fact that buyers have already been found and that 3 vehicles have been sold to Pakistan.
Perhaps the greatest attention of the visitors, but also the expert part of the audience at the Partner 2013, not without reason, was paid to the prototype of the new local armored transporter, Lazar 2, an advanced version of the already fairly well known Lazar 1. Even the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Mr. Aleksandar Vucic, pointed out, opening the fair event, the excellent performances of this prospect export trump of the local defense industry, mentioning it is three times more expensive than the Lazar 1, due to its characteristics, but also three times cheaper than the worldwide "étalon" in this class - the famous Finnish "Patria" - and it not worse than that one.
This is visually a very impressive armored vehicle for soldier transportation, with 8 x 8 configuration. Its length is 7.4 m and the width has been increased to 2.75 m. Compared with its technical/technological predecessor, Lazar 2 is heavier, it has got advanced engine, larger autonomy and smaller turn radius. It has got lower silhouette, a combat station with a 30 mm gun, new electronics and signl-corps system, a new 500 HP engine, which provides the speed of 100 km/h, new armor at 4 plus level, a quite different front side and a ramp for fast vehicle leaving at the rear side. It is visible that its maximum speed has been increased, although it is heavier, due to the stronger engine. Since it has got an independent suspension system instead of the hard one, as at the old one, Lazar 2 has got a lot more off road movability, as well. It is equipped with modern weapons. Thus, the buyer will be able to select, in addition to the cupola version, also among several weapon versions, including the 30 mm guns, as well as remote control weapon stations.
The Lazar 2 crew (and it can transport up to nine soldiers) still use, like at the predecessor, the side door for entry and exit, but unlike the predecessor, where two doors at the back side were used for the landing, opened sidewards, Lazar 2 got a back door opened downwards, like a ramp.
In addition to the two Lazar ‘brothers’, other vehicles from the class combat armored transporters were shown at the Fair, as well, first of all BOV M-10 and M-11, 4 x 4 configuration. These vehicles were also amended, compared with already seen predecessors. Their weapons have been changed, so that, instead of the opening with the machine gun 7.62 mm caliber, the M11 got a remote control weapon station, enabling the marksman to act from the inside of the vehicle. It is interesting that the computer installed in this vehicle operates under Windows operation system.
Innovative fighting vehicle three times cheaper than the main global competitor, the Finnish "Patria" really looks impressive. The first three cars have already bought Pakistanis. Officials from "Jugoimport" explain that the trend in Europe and Russia gusenicarskih universal development platform to 40 tons, and light tanks, adding that he sincerely hoped that Serbia will soon go down that road.
After it completes terrain research for three armored fighting vehicles of lazar 2 type, which are supposed to be delivered to them by the end of the year, Pakistan could decide to purchase a licence for production of this eight- wheeled vehicle from Jugoimport SDPR, Blic reported. As it was published, the Pakistan army provided thise information. SDPR say they expect to expand cooperation with that country. We are expecting that Pakistan will opt for procurement of more vehicles but we have not discussed licensed production - SDPR says. Pakistan sources, however, speculate with the information on potential licensed production if Lazar 2 satisfies their needs for the purposes of fight against terrorists at the western borders of the country towards Iran and Afghanistan.
The armored vehicle factory in Velika Plana, which will be opened by the end of 2012, as Vice President of the Government Aleksandar Vucic announced, will produce armored personnel carriers BOV M10 and BOV M11, for control and command, 155mm-caliber self-propelled howitzers Nora B-52, and carriers Lazar 1 and Lazar 2 in the future in cooperation with Russian partners. The company Jugoimport SDPR, in charge of the domestic defense industry, informs that they are working on equipping the factory in Velika Plana and on the final assembly and calibration of these machines. By constructing this factory, Jugoimport SDPR will create the basis for the production of weapon systems developed on their own. Carriers from Velika Plana will be exported to Kenya and Bangladesh.
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