Buggy "Chaborz" M-3 in the zone of the Special Operation, May 2023
The supply of Russian units and subunits involved in the Special Operation consists of various models of automotive equipment designed to solve a wide range of tasks. Some units that solve special tasks have light all-terrain vehicle buggies of the Chaborz family. This technique performed well in the combat zone and confirmed the calculated characteristics.
In the war zone
From the very first days, units and units of the National Guard stationed in the Chechen Republic have been actively participating in the Special Operation for the Protection of Donbass. They arrived in the combat zone with standard weapons and equipment of various types. In addition, after the start of the operation, the guardsmen received new samples, incl. newly developed.
It has long been known that the Chechen special forces, when solving special combat missions, use special vehicles - multi-purpose all-terrain vehicle-buggies of the Chaborz family, developed and produced in Chechnya. This technique has been developed and is going to be repeatedly mentioned in the news from the war zone, as well as regularly appear photos and videos with her.
Buggy "Chaborz" passed the test of practice and was highly appreciated. So, at the end of March, the commander of the Sever-Akhmat special-purpose regiment, Zaindi Zingiev, spoke about such equipment and its operation. In a report for the head of the Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, he noted that all-terrain vehicles performed well and increased both mobility and the overall efficiency of units. R. Kadyrov, in turn, noted that this project has fully justified itself.
According to known data, Chechen-made buggies are used as light, high-speed and passable vehicles for special forces. With the help of such equipment, fighters can perform patrols, conduct reconnaissance, get to the area of combat missions, etc. At the same time, "Chaborzy", due to the design features, are not intended for active work at the forefront.
M-3 car on the track
It is obvious that the Chaborz all-terrain vehicles, which have shown themselves well in the course of a real military operation, will remain in operation and will be used for their intended purpose. At the same time, buggies will continue to be used only in their characteristic niche. In other areas and when solving other tasks, special forces from Chechnya and other regions will continue to use heavier and more protected equipment.
Own development
The family of all-terrain vehicles "Chaborz" ("Bear-Wolf") was developed in the middle of the tenth years by the Russian University of Special Forces (Gudermes). The objective of the project was to create a new light vehicle with high driving characteristics for the transport of personnel and small cargo. At the same time, it was required to ensure ease of production and operation, high maintainability, etc.
The development of a new car did not take long, and already in 2016-17. the car of the first version was brought to the test. The equipment was tested on various tracks, off-road, incl. in the mountains, etc. In addition, the vehicles were used by special forces during various exercises. Later, a second version of "Chaborz" appeared. Both versions of the buggy confirmed the calculated characteristics and were highly appreciated.
In 2017, the Chechenavto plant (Argun) started mass production of new buggies. The equipment is produced in small batches in the presence of orders from special forces. The main part of the assembled vehicles remains in the Chechen Republic, but it was also reported that equipment was sent to structures from other regions.
According to known data, "Chaborzy" are used not only in the framework of the exercises. This technique is used for patrolling and in solving real problems in the North Caucasus. In addition, in 2018 it was reported that buggies had previously undergone trial operation in Syria, where the landscape contributes to their effective use. Since last year, Chechen all-terrain vehicles have been actively used in the zone of the Special Operation.
It is curious that RUS and Chechenavto are also trying to enter the civilian market. Chaborz series buggies are offered to civilian customers. At the same time, the non-military version of the machine practically does not differ from the base one - in fact, we are talking only about the absence of mounts for weapons or special equipment.
From ready-made components
One of the main objectives of the Chaborz project was to simplify production and operation. It was solved due to the wide use of ready-made components. Thus, key components and assemblies were borrowed from AvtoVAZ vehicles, and the share of domestic parts was increased to 95%. All this makes it possible to obtain the required characteristics, and also greatly simplifies the processes of supply, maintenance and repair.
Based on common ideas and components, two buggies were developed at once. Model M-3 is smaller and lighter, and can carry no more than three people or the corresponding load. In the M-6 project, the car was lengthened, which made it possible to add a second row of seats and two places for fighters. At the same time, both samples are maximally unified and have close characteristics.
Chaborz, like other buggies, are built on the basis of a frame made of pipes. All the necessary units are attached inside and outside it. The machines are made open, but there are separate “body” parts that protect the crew and units from external influences. The layout is traditional for this class of equipment. In the nose there are only parts of the front axle, the central part is given over to an open salon, and in the back there is a power plant and transmission.
The buggies are equipped with a VAZ-21126 gasoline engine with a power of 98 hp. There is a 5-speed manual gearbox. In the M-6 project, it was proposed to use motors of other types of higher power. In addition, the possibility of using a hybrid drive was studied.
Shooter in the stern
In the M-3 project, only the rear axle has a drive. The larger M-6 machine received four-wheel drive. The chassis has an independent suspension with gas shock absorbers. Transverse levers are used on the front axle, longitudinal ones on the rear axle. Front suspension travel reaches 450 mm, rear - 280 mm. The steering gear on the front axle includes an electric booster.
The all-terrain vehicle "Chaborz" is capable of carrying weapons. On the passenger seats, brackets are provided for installing personal small arms, simplifying their use. On the M-3, the rear passenger seat is equipped with a turret for a machine gun or an automatic grenade launcher. M-6 received a turret of a traditional design above the cabin.
Buggy M-3 has a length of only 3,1 m and a dry weight of 820 kg. Load capacity reaches 350-400 kg. Modification M-6 is longer, more than 4 m, and heavier. Its payload was promised to be increased to 800 kg, depending on the power plant and engine used.
Due to the low weight and high power-to-weight ratio, cars of both modifications are capable of speeds of at least 130 km/h. High cross-country ability on different landscapes is also provided, incl. on surfaces with low bearing capacity. Water barriers are overcome along fords of shallow depth.
Special tool
Like other buggies, Chechen Chaborz cars have a characteristic set of features, advantages and disadvantages. Properly using the strengths of such equipment and taking into account the limitations, you can get high operational efficiency and solve the tasks.
Enlarged car M-6
A characteristic feature of the all-terrain vehicle-buggy is its high cross-country ability and mobility in different conditions. "Chaborzy" meet these requirements and are a convenient and fast transport for fighters. As tests and full-fledged operation have shown, with the help of such equipment, special forces can reach those places where heavier equipment cannot go.
High mobility, among other things, is achieved due to the maximum lightness of the structure and the absence of any protection. Therefore, use on the front line and in other high-risk areas is excluded due to unjustified risk.
Thus, the operation of all-terrain vehicles faces some limitations, but they do not interfere with a wide range of tasks. Accordingly, the correct choice of targets and the organization of the operation make it possible to fully use all the advantages of technology and reduce risks for personnel. The experience of numerous exercises and the current Special Operation shows the potential and benefits of this approach.
In general, all-terrain vehicle-buggies of the Chaborz family, like other equipment of this class, should be considered a specialized tool for a certain range of tasks. Going beyond this circle does not make sense and is even associated with risks. However, for such missions, there is a completely different technique, the presence of which does not eliminate the need for light mobile transport.