Ukraine received two-link conveyors Bandvagn 202
One of the Bv 202s that ended up in Ukraine. Photo Armyrecognition.com
Foreign countries send a variety of equipment to Ukraine, and often we are talking about morally and physically obsolete models. Another example of such dubious assistance was the two-link articulated transporters Bandvagn 202 of Swedish production. Several of these vehicles have already been handed over to Ukrainian formations, and more are expected to arrive in the near future. As reported, with their help it is planned to partially cover the need for ambulance transport.
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Reports of the arrival of Bandvagn 202 (Bv 202) transporters to Ukraine appeared in early January. Ukrainian sources published a photo of such equipment and revealed some details of the deliveries. Also became known plans for the further restructuring and operation of machines.
Of interest is the origin of the equipment supplied to Ukraine. Reportedly, in the distant past, these Bv 202 two-link transporters were in the supply of the Swedish army. Due to obsolescence, they have long been decommissioned and put into storage. Not so long ago, an unnamed private person bought a batch of used transporters and is now transferring it to Ukrainian formations.
At the beginning of January, the Kyiv regime managed to get at least two cars. Local crews have begun to master such equipment. Perhaps they even managed to send her to the war zone. In the near future, another 10-12 units are expected to be delivered. conveyors. At the same time, the exact dates for the transfer and the start of service are not reported.
Bv 202 on the ground. Photo military-today.com
With the help of the received equipment, Ukrainian formations plan to solve the problem of ambulance transport. Swedish vehicles are undergoing minor upgrades that allow them to be used to transport the wounded. So, the available photo shows a conveyor with a red cross and the inscription "Ambulance" on the rear link awning.
It can be expected that the transfer of equipment and subsequent processing for new tasks will not take much time. Accordingly, in the coming weeks, the medical service will receive new ambulances and to some extent improve its potential. However, she does not have to hope for an outstanding growth in performance.
outdated technology
The two-link articulated transporter Bv 202 is one of the oldest samples of foreign equipment transferred to Ukraine recently. This car was developed in the late fifties by the Swedish company Bolinder-Munktell (a division of Volvo). The transporter was created by order of the armed forces of Sweden and was intended to transport personnel and some cargo on difficult landscapes, incl. in deep snow and swampy terrain.
In the Bv 202 project, a two-link articulated scheme was first proposed and successfully implemented. At the same time, the complexity of the design affected the timing of the development of the project. So, testing of the experimental Bv 202 began in 1959, but the recommendation for acceptance for supply was received only in 1964. At the same time, Bolinder-Munktell began mass production and soon handed over the first batch of conveyors to the customer.
The conveyor is capable of moving in deep snow. Photo military-today.com
The release of Bandvagn 202 of the basic version for the Swedish army continued until 1981. Then new modifications intended for foreign customers went into the series. However, all export contracts were completed in just a few years. During its two decades of production, Bolinder-Munktell built approx. 1700 transporters.
Production of the Bv 202 was stopped due to the start of construction of new and more advanced Bv 206 transporters from Hägglunds. The latter entered the army and gradually replaced outdated equipment. Unnecessary Bv 202s were sent to storage or sold abroad.
Following Sweden, the list of Bv 202 operators included Norway, Great Britain, Czechoslovakia and other countries. In the mid-202s, several dozen transporters from storage were acquired by a Russian travel company for use in the Arctic. Now the next owner of used Bv XNUMX is Ukraine.
Technical features
The Bandvagn 202 conveyor is a tracked vehicle with two hulls connected by a swivel hitch. The total length of such a conveyor reaches 6,2 m, the gross weight is 2,9 tons. The carrying capacity on rough terrain reaches 800 kg, which allows you to carry up to 8-9 passengers.
Side view - you can see the rotary coupling device. Photo military-today.com
The machine has two body-links of different designs and with different equipment. The front hull received a characteristic hood with a power plant and carries a double cockpit. The rear link was made in the form of a platform with an awning or a closed van to accommodate passengers and cargo. Passenger cabins were equipped with thermal insulation and heaters.
The bulk of the Bv 202 modifications were equipped with a Volvo B18B gasoline engine with an HP 82 power. Later versions used a 20 hp Volvo B97B. A manual gearbox and a transfer case were connected to the engine to deliver power to the drive wheels of both hulls. In the rear link, the torque was transmitted using a cardan shaft passing between the housings. There were no turning mechanisms in the transmission as unnecessary.
The bodies are connected by means of a hydraulically actuated swivel hitch. Hydraulic cylinders move the housings relative to each other in a horizontal plane - for turning and maneuvering, as well as for overcoming obstacles.
Due to the unusual design of the hulls and undercarriage, it was possible to obtain a successful combination of driving characteristics and cross-country ability. On the highway Bv 202 accelerates to 38-40 km / h and had a cruising range of 200 km. At the same time, a large track area and a low specific load ensured high mobility on surfaces with low bearing capacity - on snow, in a swamp, etc. In addition, the conveyor is able to float by rewinding the tracks.
Norwegian Bv 202 at a joint NATO exercise, 1981. Photo by the US Department of Defense
Due to the Bandvagn 202, the Swedish army and other operating structures have improved the mobility of their units. They got the opportunity to operate freely in hard-to-reach areas where other equipment cannot pass.
car from the past
At the time of its introduction, the Bv 202 was a unique vehicle with outstanding performance characteristics. However, 60 years have passed since then, and this conveyor is morally and physically obsolete. In addition, new samples of this class with higher parameters have appeared, capable of solving the same or more complex tasks.
The delivery of Bv 202 machines to Ukraine is of some interest, but it should be regarded as another curiosity. A well-wisher purchased inexpensive but long-obsolete equipment in an unknown condition and handed it over to the armed formations. The announced party has not yet been fully transferred, but it is already clear what its new owners will face.
Obviously, the Ukrainian formations will be able to use the Bv 202 for its intended purpose and transport various loads; reportedly, it will be the wounded and the doctors. However, during the operation of such equipment, serious problems are expected. Thus, the significant age of equipment indicates a high probability of permanent breakdowns and difficulties in the line of repair associated with the lack of spare parts and other factors.
Norwegian soldiers and their transporter. Photo by the US Department of Defense
It should be noted that the Bv 202s are not intended for combat work on the front line, and their adaptation to such tasks is virtually impossible. So, the conveyor has no protection, and a significant part of the load capacity will go to handicraft booking. The vehicle can be equipped with small arms or grenade launchers, but without armor, this will be of little use.
At one time, the Bandvagn 202 was developed as a highly mobile transport for the rear. Ukrainian formations, in turn, plan to use it to evacuate the wounded. Such an idea seems quite logical and sound. However, only 10-12 vehicles will not have a noticeable impact on the general state of the sanitary equipment fleet, and the medical service has no reason to be optimistic.
Deprecated Help
Thus, the Kyiv regime again receives foreign equipment - and once again it is provided with obsolete models that have long been removed from service. Moreover, a limited number of vehicles are offered that do not meet the needs of Ukrainian formations.
The current supply of Bv 202 conveyors is generally in line with already known trends. Foreign states and certain individuals are ready to help Ukraine, but they want to save money, and therefore they are not going to give it a large number of modern systems and samples. In addition, Ukraine is seen as a kind of testing ground for the disposal of unnecessary property - under the plausible pretext of protecting freedom and democracy.
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