Belarus’ Minotor-Service started the production of the first batch of newest Vitim multi-purpose armoured vehicles. ONT TV channel released a video on 7 March showing production of the first Vitim armoured vehicles.
The new Vitim is a family of 4×4 and 6×6 wheeled armoured vehicles developed by Minotor-Service. The vehicle is designed for reconnaissance missions, escorting and guarding convoys, patrol, fire support, for special operations conducted by police and internal security forces, for crew protection. It can be used as an assault vehicle or as a transport platform for light firearms and missile weapons, communications and other defense systems.
The vehicle has a monocoque all-welded steel hull that is claimed to provide protection from 7.62 mm ammunition fired from a distance of 10 m. The Vitim vehicle measures 5.3 m long, 2.4 m wide, and is 2.2 m tall.
The Vitim 4×4 has gross vehicle weight of 7,000kg, of which 1,000kg is payload, which allows for crew, weapons, fuel, water and an appliqué armour kit and can accommodate a crew of one and carry 4 dismounts.
The front-mounted powerpack consists of a turbocharged diesel developing 215 hp coupled to five speed manual transmission, which is stated as giving a maximum road speed of 125 km/h and an operating range of up to 800 km without refueling.
The new armored vehicle design by «Minotor-Service» is fully amphibious and can swim; it is also air transportable by Il-76, An-70, C-130 and A400M. The first prototype will display at MILEX 2017 exhibition.
