Desertcross 1000-3 all-terrain vehicles in the Russian army
Chief of the General Staff V. Gerasimov, Defense Minister S. Shoigu and President V. Putin inspect new all-terrain vehicles. Photo by AP RF
The Russian group of troops involved in the Special Operation to protect Donbass uses a wide range of vehicles and all-terrain vehicles. It recently became known that such a fleet is now being replenished with Chinese-made Desertcross 1000-3 all-terrain vehicles. It is planned to purchase a large number of such vehicles, which will increase the mobility of units and thereby help them in solving combat missions.
New contract
On the night of November 10, Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Rostov-on-Don and visited the headquarters of the Southern Federal District. The leadership of the Ministry of Defense and the district briefed the head of state on the progress of the current Special Operation. In addition, the headquarters hosted a small exhibition of modern models of equipment supplied to the troops.
The President was shown two Chinese-made AODES Desertcross 1000-3 all-terrain vehicles capable of transporting people and small loads. It became known that the Ministry of Defense was interested in this equipment, and it placed a large order for its supply. This contract is already being fulfilled, and several hundred vehicles have entered the troops.
According to the information plate accompanying the all-terrain vehicles at the exhibition, the defense department is purchasing 2127 vehicles in different versions. To date, 537 all-terrain vehicles in basic configuration have been received from the manufacturer. The remaining 1590 units. will receive a set of add-ons of various kinds. 500 vehicles are expected in December, and the rest will enter the army during the 1st quarter of 2024.
A pair of Desertcrosses at the headquarters of the Southern Military District. Photo t/k "Star"
The sign also revealed the cost of the equipment. The Desertcross 1000-3 product in its basic configuration cost the Ministry of Defense 1,58 million rubles per unit. Installing the required options increases the cost of the car to 2,1 million. It is not difficult to calculate the total cost of the order - almost 4,2 billion rubles. This is far from the largest and most expensive purchase to ensure the conduct of a Special Operation, but its importance and necessity should not be underestimated.
Cars at the front
According to data from the Ministry of Defense, more than five hundred Desertcross 1000-3 all-terrain vehicles have already entered the army. At a minimum, some of this equipment should by now have dispersed to units and formations operating in the Special Operation zone. However, until recently there was no information about the presence of such vehicles in our army. Only AM-1 ATVs and the like were reported. technology, about the buggies of the “Chaborz” series in the Russian Guard, etc.
However, just a few days after the exhibition, the first reports about the presence of all-terrain vehicles in the combat zone began to appear at the headquarters of the Southern Military District and the “premiere”, on specialized resources and in blogs. Photos of equipment and its new owners from combat units are also published. Methods for camouflaging vehicles, placing cargo, etc. are demonstrated.
The first reviews are already arriving. In general, fighters evaluate the new product positively. It is called a convenient means for solving transport problems in the near rear - transporting ammunition and other cargo, evacuating the wounded, etc. There are no reports of use as a light reconnaissance vehicle or patrol vehicle yet. Perhaps the scouts are already mastering the new all-terrain vehicle and are simply not sharing fresh experience.
A new type of all-terrain vehicle in a combat zone. Photo Telegram / Sashakots
Foreign design
The AODES Desertcross 1000-3 all-terrain vehicle was developed and mass-produced by the Chinese company Shandong Odes Industry. It is part of the line of utilitarian-tourist off-road vehicles and is offered to a wide range of customers. These are mainly civil organizations and individuals who want to have a light and convenient vehicle for off-road travel.
The Desertcross 1000-3 product is a lightweight vehicle on a two-axle all-wheel drive chassis, capable of carrying three passengers and some cargo. The original design, at the request of the customer, can be supplemented with various units and components. In particular, the Russian army is purchasing all-terrain vehicles with a soft closed cabin and a heating system.
The all-terrain vehicle has an open body with a frame and skin on which all other elements are installed. In its front part there is a hood cover, which in some trim levels can be used as a small cargo area. Behind it is a three-seater crew cabin, and a full-fledged cargo platform is mounted behind it. There is a full-fledged protective “cage” above the crew seats.
The machine is equipped with a two-cylinder petrol V-shaped liquid-cooled engine with a power of 87 hp. The transmission is built on the basis of a variator and wheel differentials. It is possible to use rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The front and rear axle suspension is built on A-arms with vertical springs and hydropneumatic shock absorbers. There is also an anti-roll bar on the rear axle. Wheels with a diameter of 27 inches are used.
The total length of such an all-terrain vehicle does not exceed 3,4 m, width – 1,8 m, height – 1,9 m with a ground clearance of 305 mm. Curb weight for the Russian army is 1050 kg. Load capacity is 550 kg and can tow a 300 kg trailer. The car carries up to three people in the cabin, including the driver. As an option, the manufacturer offers two removable seats on the cargo platform.
General view of the Desertcross 1000-3. Photo by AODES
Desertcross 1000-3 on the highway reaches speeds of up to 80 km/h, and has a range of 250 km. Fords can be crossed no deeper than 400 mm. In case of difficult obstacles and off-road conditions, the machine is equipped with a winch with a traction force of more than 2 tons.
The bulk of all-terrain vehicles for the Russian army were ordered with additional elements. Thus, the Ministry of Defense wished to equip the equipment with a front bumper with an amplifier and rubber bumpers. It is also equipped with a soft-type cabin with glazing and a heater. This technique can be used comfortably in the coming winter.
Intermediate position
Our army is now supplied with various light and medium class vehicles. In particular, pickup trucks and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) became widespread in the Special Operation zone. They are used as transport for people and cargo, and are also carriers of various weapons. At the same time, in different situations and contexts, such equipment may encounter difficulties and limitations - some samples do not always have enough carrying capacity, while others show insufficient maneuverability.
The Desertcross 1000-3 all-terrain vehicle occupies an intermediate position between ATVs and full-fledged cars and can successfully solve a fairly wide range of tasks. According to information from a recent exhibition, the Chinese all-terrain vehicle is being considered as a vehicle for reconnaissance and patrol operations, raids and search and rescue operations, as well as for general logistics needs in difficult road and soil conditions.
All-terrain vehicles will likely be used primarily as light trucks. In addition, they will try to make them carriers of weapons. The Desertcross design, in theory, allows the installation of machine guns or other systems. In addition, the vehicle can transport mortars, ATGMs, MANPADS and other weapons. Nowadays, quad bikes with lower load capacity and passenger capacity are often used as carriers of such systems.
Three-seater all-terrain vehicle with a cabin. Photo by AODES
Upgrading to larger, heavier-duty ATVs can provide benefits. The entire crew will be able to travel in one vehicle, the ammunition load will increase, etc. With all this, it will be possible to maintain or improve the overall mobility and mobility of the complex and its crew.
It should be noted that the operation of all-terrain vehicles like the Desertcross 1000-3 must face certain restrictions. Thus, another model is being supplied to the army, not unified with other automobile or other equipment. This means that the relevant structures of the armed forces will have to establish a supply system for consumables and spare parts for the new model. In addition, the all-terrain vehicle does not have any protection, which is why it cannot be used on the front line or in other dangerous areas.
Objective needs
As part of the current Special Operation to protect Donbass, the Russian army is not only solving assigned military and political tasks, but also gaining valuable experience. In particular, various ideas and concepts for the formation and development of a fleet of vehicles of all classes are constantly being formed and refined. Another result of this process can be observed right now.
Taking into account previously gained experience, our own and related structures, the Ministry of Defense decided to equip units at the front and in the near rear with all-terrain vehicles of a new model. To start deliveries as soon as possible, it was decided to contact a foreign manufacturer. As a result, the first 500-plus Desertcross 1000-3 products have already entered the army and are beginning to be used in the combat zone, and in the coming months the number of such equipment will quadruple.
Information