Armored car "Partner". For special tasks
Armored cars of the Typhoon family
A few days ago it became known that a new auxiliary armored vehicle was adopted for the supply of the Russian army. This vehicle is escort and control MSIU-4386 "Partner", made on the basis of one of the existing armored vehicles. It is not designed to work on the front lines, but it must perform important tasks in the rear.
New in the family
The new MSIU-4386 armored vehicle was developed by the Remdizel plant (Naberezhnye Chelny) and is actually part of the Typhoon family of vehicles. According to the developer company, work on the armored car started in 2017 on an initiative basis, but with the approval of the Ministry of Defense. The development work received the code "Partner".
Over the next few years, design work was carried out, experienced armored cars were built and tested. The main events of this kind were completed at the beginning of 2021, and in March, "Partner" was admitted to serial production.
In mid-June, a delegation from the Ministry of Defense visited Remdizel. During this visit, representatives of the department and the management of the plant discussed the implementation of the state defense order, and also revealed some plans. So, by the end of the year it was planned to collect and transfer to the troops 11 new armored cars "Partner". Also for the second half of the year, the transfer of large batches of other armored cars was planned.
K-4386 "Typhoon-VDV"
In early October, the press service of Remdizel announced that in September the MSIU-4386 vehicle was accepted for supplying the armed forces. Thus, the project "Partner" ended in success, and now the re-equipment of army units has begun. Serial production also continues, but its results and successes have not yet been specified.
As reported, MSIU-4386 will solve an imperceptible, but important task. This armored car is capable of transporting personnel and small loads, and must also accompany convoys carrying special equipment. If necessary, it can become a control point in places of work with other equipment.
Modified design
Within the framework of the Typhoon theme, the Remdizel plant simultaneously uses and develops several wheeled platforms. One of the main ones is K-4386 or Typhoon-VDV. This is a two-axle all-wheel drive armored vehicle with the ability to install various weapons and equipment. The machine has high running characteristics and is suitable for parachute landing. On its basis, several specialized armored vehicles have already been created, incl. escort and control vehicle.
In general, the new "Partner" is similar to the base "Typhoon-VDV", however, there are significant changes and innovations in its design, due to which the growth of some characteristics is ensured. First of all, it was possible to reduce the cost of operation without prejudice to other parameters. In addition, the booking has been improved in the direction of increased security.
The main innovations of the project are related to the chassis and are probably due to the specifics of the assigned tasks. The "Partner" uses a simplified independent spring suspension on all wheels. In June, it was reported that this year all Typhoons will begin to receive new tires with safety inserts. Probably, this also applies to MSIU-4386.
The domestic media reports that "Partner" can receive various weapons, incl. in the form of remotely controlled combat modules. In particular, the BM-4386-D module with an automatic cannon and a machine gun can be borrowed from the K-30 in the configuration for the Airborne Forces.
The exact tactical and technical characteristics of the MSIU-4386 have not yet been published, but the parameters of the basic K-4386 are known. The serial Typhoon-VDV weighs 13,5 tons and is equipped with a 350 hp engine. and has four-wheel drive. The armored car carries 7 people, develops a speed of up to 130 km / h and shows a cruising range of 1200 km. In its original configuration, it is equipped with a cannon-machine gun combat module.
A special challenge
The newest "Partner" is intended to solve a specific important task, which affected its design, equipment and capabilities. This armored vehicle must accompany and protect convoys with various cargo. It can also become a kind of command and staff vehicle and provide the organization of certain works. It is these features of the MSIU-4386 project that are of greatest interest.
Logistics has always been a critical issue for any army. Disruption of communications can hit the overall combat capability and change the course of the conflict. In this regard, any elements of the logistics system need protection, and convoys with cargo or military equipment are no exception. Moreover, in some situations it is they that turn out to be a priority target for the enemy and therefore require special attention from the point of view of protection.
In case of possible ambushes, the convoy should be accompanied by armored vehicles. The experience of conflicts in recent years shows that these should be combat vehicles with good ballistic and mine protection. For return fire, they need machine guns of normal or large caliber. You also need a means of communication to coordinate the column on the march or when repelling an attack.
On the initiative of "Remdizel" a specialized "Partner" was developed with a number of characteristic features. Apparently, the suspension was not only simplified, but also optimized for continuous road use while maintaining acceptable off-road qualities. The composition of the equipment and weapons is also fully consistent with the specifics of the assigned tasks.
It should be noted that virtually any modern armored car, for example, the Typhoon-VDV, can accompany the columns. However, MSIU-4386, unlike other equipment, was initially optimized for such tasks, due to which it should show higher technical, operational and economic characteristics. In the light of the possible volume of work, this will give a noticeable gain of an economic and other nature.
With all these advantages, the new "Partner" retains a high degree of unification with the K-4386 and other members of its family. Thanks to this, it becomes possible to simultaneously build equipment of several types for different purposes without complicating production processes and without increasing the cost of products.
Thus, "Remduzel" once again managed to create a new modification of the "Typhoon", capable of effectively solving its tasks. At the same time, the desired results, characteristics and capabilities were obtained with limited revision of the original design.
Invisible and important
The K-4386 Typhoon-VDV armored vehicle is not only a protected vehicle, but also a successful platform for the construction of specialized models of equipment. On its basis, a combat vehicle of air defense units, an armored car for special forces, a minelayer, etc., were created, and some of these samples were accepted for supply. Now the MSIU-4386 escort vehicle has been added to the list of serial modifications.
"Partner" will have to solve not the most noticeable, but important task of ensuring the safety of transportation. As production and supply continues, such equipment will have an increasing impact on army logistics and, accordingly, on the combat capability of the armed forces. Thus, we are talking not just about another modification of the famous armored car, but about an important project, the full significance of which will manifest itself in the future.
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