Lazar-3 mine resistant ambush protected vehicle
The armored combat vehicle wheeled "Lazar 3" is a product of the domestic defense industry. It is characterized by an 8x8 drive formula where all axles are drive and the first two steering, and includes a very modern approach to armor protection, mobility, firepower and the possibility of long-term combat in conflicts of varying intensity. OBVT "Lazar 3" has a highly sophisticated modular ballistic protection, and the number of crew members depends on the mission and weapons with which the vehicle is equipped.
The vehicle can be equipped with various types of weapons, starting from a remote-controlled combat station with a 12.7 mm M-15 machine gun to a turret with a 30 mm cannon. The vehicle has loopholes protected by ballistic glass, which enable soldiers driving inside the vehicle to be able to react to potential threats with the help of small arms and help with visual observation.
The Lazar 3 is intended for infantry and special units and it is constructed in accordance with the most modern trends in the development of wheeled armored vehicles. It is characterized by high mobility and protection of forces. Lazar 3 can be equipped with various types of weapons such as an M15 remote controlled weapon station (RCWS) with 12.7mm machine gun and a 30 mm gun turret, which allows it to engage ground targets such as lightly armored and logistics vehicles, command posts and enemy manpower, as well as air targets – helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles.
The design of the Lazar 3 is configured in three main parts with the driver and commander at the front left side with the engine at the right. The 8x8 drive and the modern system of independent suspension of all eight wheels, provide the Lazar 3 armoured combat vehicle with high mobility and payload capacity. The power train is located in the front right part of the vehicle, in a protected space that is completely sealed off from the crew space, and the central transfer case transmits the torque to all wheels. All the shafts provide power, while the first two steer the wheels.
Lazar 3 has a highly sophisticated, modular ballistic protection. The hull is made of armored steel and can be fitted with a spall liner. The vehicle floor has two levels of anti-mine protection. The driver’s and commander’s space is located in the front of the vehicle. Both the driver and the commander have hatches above their seats. The driver and the commander have each three periscopes available for their use in the vehicle. When the vehicle is equipped with the remote control weapon station (RCWS), the vehicle should be manned with 12 troops (commander, driver, gunner + 9 soldiers), while the version with a turret would be manned with one soldier less.
The air conditioning system ensures the functioning of the vehicle and crew in extreme climates, and the loopholes on Lazar 3 are protected by ballistic glass and enable soldiers transported in it to be able to respond to potential threats with small arms and to use them for observation. The wheeled Lazar 3 vehicle can develop a maximum speed of up to 110 kilometres per hour. It is exceptionally manoeuvrable, which enables it to drive at 60% gradient, a 30% side slope, to overcome 0.55 m vertical obstacles, 2 m trenches and 1.6 m water obstacles. In March 2021, Yugoimport-SDPR received a $37 million (3.7 billion dinars) contract for new Lazar 3 8x8 combat vehicles for the Serbian Army. According to the Serbian Ministry of Defense, with this contract, the number of “Lazars”, modern armored combat vehicles, will be considerably increased in the armed forces.
On this occasion, Minister Stefanovic visited the “Complex Combat Systems” production facilities in Velika Plana where “Lazar”, “Nora” and “Miloš” combat vehicles are produced, and was presented with key stages in the production process, work results and future production plans. Serbian armed forces units will get new Miloš vehicles in a few weeks’ time. Serbia continues to modernize its armed forces and wants to develop new military equipment for local use but also for the international military market. Recently, the Serbian army has acquired Milosh 4×4 armored vehicles and T-72B1MS main battle tank from Russia also nicknamed “White Eagle”.
Equipping the Serbian Armed Forces with the new Lazar 3 combat vehicle, which is a product of the domestic defence industry, is a major step forward in the protection of infantry units and a significant contribution to the process of enhancing the operational capabilities of the armed forces. The multi-purpose armoured combat vehicle - Lazar 3 was introduced into the armament of the Serbian Armed Forces, and the production of new series of this vehicle for the armed forces is in progress. It is intended for infantry and special units and it is constructed in accordance with the most modern trends in the development of wheeled armoured vehicles. It is characterized by high mobility and protection of forces. Turkmenistan is looking at becoming the first foreign operator of the newest Serbian Lazar 3 combat vehicle. The story was first reported by Sputnik agency, which cited Ambassador of Serbia to Russia (also representing the country in Turkmenistan) Miroslav Lazanski. Miroslav Lazanski told the Russian news agency that the Serbian defense company Yugoimport-SDPR has received a contract for new Lazar 3 combat vehicles from Turkmenistan. He did not elaborate on the exact number of Lazar 3s Turkmenistan plans to buy.
The Serbian defense company yUgoimport for the first time presented the newest armored personnel carrier (APC) Lazar III A1, equipped with Russian combat modules, at the international arms exhibition "Partner-2021", held in Belgrade (Serbia) from October 11 to 14, 2021. The new modification of the car, first presented at Partner-2021, became the first heavily armed modification of the Lazar III A1.
The improved vehicle received the Russian DUBM 32V01 with a 30 mm automatic cannon, as well as an uninhabited module with a 57 mm cannon. According to a source in the Serbian defense industry, the installation of the latest modules will significantly increase the export potential of the machine. "Thanks to the installation of Russian modules, Lazar III is moving from the category of armored personnel carriers to the category of infantry fighting vehicles with significantly improved firepower. This will allow him to fight with a full range of targets on the battlefield, with the exception of heavy armored vehicles," the source said.
The new modules installed on the Serbian Lazar III armored vehicle were developed by the Russian Burevestnik Research Institute (part of the Uralvagonzavod concern of the Rostec State Corporation). The 32B01 uninhabited combat module was first presented at the IDEX 2015 International Arms Exhibition, held in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) in 2015.
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