Buggy in Special Operations
Desertcross 1000-3 buggy at the training ground. Drivers are being trained. Photo by the Russian Ministry of Defense
As part of the Special Operation to Protect Donbass, the Russian army is actively using various types of vehicles, including all-terrain buggies. Light vehicles of this class have a number of important features and advantages that allow them to effectively perform various tasks at the front and in the rear. Thanks to this, thousands of such vehicles with different equipment and functions have already appeared in the troops.
Promising direction
The Russian army began experimenting with light all-terrain vehicles long before the Special Operation. Various organizations of the Ministry of Defense and combat units were actively involved in testing and mastering buggies, quad bikes and other similar vehicles. Other structures, such as the Russian National Guard, were also interested in this topic.
The exercises addressed various issues of operating such equipment. They also looked for and tested areas of its application. Buggies and other all-terrain vehicles were considered as general-purpose transport, as well as carriers of weapons or special equipment.
The Chaborz buggy is one of the first domestic examples of this class. Photo Telegram / "Ugolok Sitkha"
However, by the beginning of the Special Operation, our armed forces had not yet begun full-scale procurement and development of such equipment. Transportation of personnel in various conditions was still carried out using armored vehicles and traditional-looking automobiles.
Buggy in formation
As far as is known, the first buggies appeared in the Special Operations area already in 2022. A certain number of these vehicles were in the Rosgvardia units that took part in the hostilities. Later, similar vehicles began to appear in the armed forces units. However, so far, only small volumes of deliveries have been made through volunteer organizations.
The situation changed only in 2023. As it turned out, all this time the Ministry of Defense carefully studied the features of current military operations and determined the requirements of the troops. As a result, a decision was made to purchase new vehicles with a special combination of characteristics.
"Desertcross-1000-3" in the troops. Photo Telegram / Sashakots
An order for several thousand Chinese-made Desertcross 2023-1000 all-terrain vehicles was placed no later than mid-3. The ready-made imported vehicle was chosen for a number of reasons, including the possibility of early delivery. By mid-autumn, at least 500 new vehicles had already been delivered to the troops, and new batches were expected.
Various domestic manufacturers of automobile equipment have shown interest in the buggy theme. A number of enterprises have sent various samples of their own design and production to the troops. Some of these buggies were created in the recent past, while others were developed after the start of the Special Operation.
There are regular reports of new types of buggies and other similar vehicles being developed. These models are developed on an initiative basis, and their creators promise to send them to the combat zone in the near future for testing and assessment of their real potential. Most of these promises are successfully fulfilled.
A buggy of one of the models undergoing repairs. Photo by the Russian Ministry of Defense
Similarities and differences
By now, the Russian army has managed to form a fairly large park of buggies. The total number of such equipment, according to understandable data, is not openly published. However, available information allows us to assume that there are thousands of such machines in service. It is also possible to count up to ten types of this equipment.
All this equipment belongs to one class, which determines a certain similarity between the machines of different models. Buggies are built on the basis of a metal frame and receive rudimentary casing, only partially covering the crew cabin and cargo platform. The engine is located in the stern with the output of torque to the rear drive wheels.
Buggy requires high cross-country ability, which affects the suspension design. Most often, lever systems with springs and/or hydropneumatic shock absorbers are used. This ensures maximum suspension travel for a smoother ride over uneven surfaces.
The design of the engine and chassis widely uses units and assemblies from serial cars, mainly domestically produced. Such a choice of components simplifies the process of production and maintenance of equipment, and also improves economic indicators.
Buggy on the route. The station is visible on the roof of the car EW... Photo of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
All-terrain vehicles have a two- or four-seater open-type cabin. There is also a rear cargo platform, which can accommodate additional crew seats, for example, for a gunner. Standard armor protection is usually not provided, but the troops often use add-on armor elements and canopies to protect against attacks from above.
Buggies can be equipped with pivot mounts for mounting various weapons. Most often, they carry machine guns of the main types or anti-tank missile complexes. Thanks to the open design of the cabin, the crew can freely use personal weaponSome models are even equipped with additional means for mounting weapons near the cabin.
Since the enemy has large stockpiles of UAVs for various purposes, buggies receive appropriate protection. Electronic warfare systems are mounted on them, sharply reducing the probability of detection and destruction.
Applications
An all-terrain buggy is, first and foremost, a vehicle capable of transporting people and cargo on the road or terrain, overcoming obstacles, etc. The transport capabilities of such equipment are used in several ways, depending on the unit in which it serves and what tasks are set.
Loading a wounded man before evacuation. Photo by the Russian Ministry of Defense
The buggy can be a transport for riflemen, scouts, assault troops, etc. On such a machine, fighters can quickly arrive at the required location and begin performing the assigned task. High mobility will help breakthrough, and the weapons on the machine will be used for fire support.
The transport function is also used in logistics - buggies work as light trucks for delivering ammunition and other things. In addition, they are used as ambulances for evacuating the wounded to the rear.
All-terrain vehicles are widely used as carriers of various weapons and transport for their crews. Such vehicles increase the mobility of ATGMs and portable/carried mortars. In all cases, it is possible to simplify the work of personnel, as well as increase the speed of leaving a position that is of critical importance.
Anti-UAV buggy. Photo by Russian Defense Ministry
The Ministry of Defense recently demonstrated a specialized combat vehicle for combating unmanned aerial vehicles. This buggy-car was equipped with a turret with several automatic rifles and a combat module with smooth-bore firing devices. It is reported that such weapons are highly effective in combating small air targets.
Experiments and results
Thus, the experiments of the past years and the experience of the Special Operation influenced the state and prospects of our army's vehicle fleet. It was decided to supplement the existing cars and armored vehicles with lighter equipment with improved cross-country ability and mobility.
From 2022-24, a fairly large fleet of buggies of various models was created in the troops, and now this equipment is actively used to solve a wide range of tasks. At the same time, the industry, represented by various organizations and enterprises, develops new models of equipment, presents them for testing and then brings them to series production.
By now, buggies have shown their potential and found their place in the troops. It is obvious that the army will not refuse such equipment in the future and will continue to develop this area. At the same time, in the near future, such development, for obvious reasons, will proceed at an increased pace.
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