Lazar armored vehicle

Lazar is an 8×8 multi-role military vehicle family produced by the Serbian defence industry company Yugoimport SDPR.

Variants

There is a 3 version up to now in a Lazar family:

• Lazar 1 known by designation BTR-SR-8808 ^[1] which is based on the concept of MRAP vehicles
• Lazar 2 ^[2]
• Lazar 3 ^[3]

Lazar 2

Design

The Multi-Role Armored Vehicle Lazar 2 8×8 is based on modifications of the concept and the technical solutions implemented on the functional model of Lazar vehicle. These modifications are carried on with the purpose to further harmonize the basic characterictic of the vehicle with contemporary international trends in the delevompent of families of multi-role armored wheel-type vehicles. The concept of the first Lazar vehicle represented a combination of the characteristics of MRAP and MRAV (Multirole Armoured Vehicle) type vehicles, while the Lazar 2 is closer to the MRAV concept first of all because of the introduction of independent suspension, which allows the platform to be customized to different roles. The concept provides for installation of different types of weapon turrets depending on the purpose of the vehicle.^[4][5]

The vehicle is equipped with a rear ramp for easier entrance and exit, and has two doors embedded within that ramp for emergency situations. It also features a separate door for the driver and commander, located on the driver side. It features five bullet proof windows and firing ports on each side of the vehicle, as well as two on the rear of the vehicle. This allows the troops inside the vehicle to have a high situational awareness and to engage targets from inside the safety of the vehicle. The driver has five cameras, which provide him with a near 360° field of visibility. Two are located in front of the driver's hatch, two are covering the sides of the vehicle, and one is installed in the rear of the vehicle to aid with reverse driving. In the IFV configuration, it seats three crew members and nine troops.

Mobility

The vehicle is powered by a 500 hp engine and features independent suspension for each of its 8×8 powered wheels, ensuring high mobility even in rough terrain.

Protection

• Ballistic protection

Armored body of Lazar 2 presents modular construction, with possibilities of different level of protection, according to the needs of the user. Basic level of armored protection, without add-on armor corresponds to level III+ (12.7×99mm at 30m) at the front side of the vehicle, and level III (7.62×54mmR at 30m) on all other sides in accordance to NATO STANAG.^[6]

With adding of additional composite armor over the basic armor of Lazar 2, protection goes up to level V (25 mm APDS-T at 500m) at the front of the vehicle, and level IV on all other sides.^[6]

M91 30mm turret (Vidra) provides level IV (14.5×114mm at 200m) protection at the front glacis, and level III (7.62×54mmR at 30m) on the sides of the turret, with add-on armour being available for further protection.^[6][7]

Additional slat armor can provide protection against RPG missiles.^[6]

• Mine protection

Anti-mine protection is provided with use of double layer, V-shaped steel floor, and additional steel plates under the seats, which are attached to the roof of the vehicle. This provides anti-mine protection of level IIa under any wheel, and level IIb under the center of the vehicle in accordance to NATO STANAG.^[6]

• Smoke screen protection

Vehicle has few smoke grenade launchers which provide Smoke screen used to mask movement from enemy's units and weapons.

Special features

These features can be selected from by a potential buyer.

• Air conditioning with compressor and overpressure system for CBRN protection
• 15W VHF radio with UMR
• Interlinked Command Information System with such features as encrypted communications, GPS maps, in-action battle plan modification etc.
• Remote Controlled Weapons Station with armament ranging from 12,7mm to 30mm, including a full sensor loadout stabilized in two planes with LIDAR, IR, thermal and optical devices.

Lazar 3

Main differences between Lazar 2 and Lazar 3 are:

• new better modular armour design with possibilities of inserting Spall liner
• if turret is mounted instead 12.7mm RCWS crew is made of 2 and 8 soldiers are carried
• width is increased and now is 2.95m
• Maximal speed is increased to 110 km/h
• Main basic protection from all sides is increased an now is STANAG 4569 level 3
• Main anti-mine protection is increased an now is STANAG 4569 level 3a and 3b
• Add-on ballistic protection STANAG 4569 can be up to level 5 on front side
• New features can be selected from by a potential buyer like automatic fire extinguisher

There is many other improvements and modifications made on Lazar 3 over Lazar 2 such as: improved lids and one more lid for engine compartment and new lid for maintenance on right side of vehicle. front and back light groups are different, video system for driving is now in protective housing, side windows now have wipers, side mirrors are different, suspension is from other supplier thus improving maximal speed, seats in back compartment are better, it is possible to open rear ramp with a pres of a button from drivers compartment, smoke grenade launcher is now on roof, etc.

Production

After making few prototypes for testing purposes and trying different armament configurations(12.7 and 30mm canon), initial serial batch of upgraded prototype version of Lazar 2 armed known as Lazar 3 with 12.7mm machine gun Remote weapon station is produced for Gendarmery (Serbia) and similar pre-production vehicles are sent for testing in Technical Testing Center for final approval before large full serial production for Serbian Army armed with 30mm canon.

Interest

The first prototype of Lazar 2 was publicly presented on 2013's Partner – International Fair of Defense Systems and Equipment. It is produced by Yugoimport SDPR in the new "Complex Battle System" factory in Velika Plana, Serbia.^[8]

At the unveiling, it was announced that the first 3 Lazar 2 have already been sold to Pakistan.^[9]

Serbian Armed Forces have interest in buying 200 armored wheel-type vehicles as IFV. This is based on tactical study made by J-5 Department for Planning and Development of Serbian General Staff ^[10] and it is predicted as a future procurement in budget of Republic of Serbia as a capital investment.^[11] Chief of the General Staff of Serbian Armed Forces has given interview that if Lazar 2 successfully passes Technical Testing Center final decision will be made and Lazar 2 will be ordered.^[12] Numerous different documents and statements also points that equipping with armored wheel-type vehicles is priority. This year latest version of Lazar 2 known as Lazar 3 is ordered for Serbian Armed Forces for testing purposes. If testing is passed mechanized battalions of Serbian Armed Forces will be equipped with 200 vehicles. Purchase until now was not made because waiting for domestic industry to made adequate vehicle that will have more competitive price than existing foreign counterparts.

Operators

Map with Lazar 2 operators in blue

Current operators

•  Serbia
  • Serbian Army 3+ Lazar 2, 12 on order Lazar 3 - delivery until December 2016.,^[13][14]
  • Gendarmery (Serbia) 20 version with 12.7 mm gun plus more on order,^[14][15][16]
•  Pakistan - Ordered 3 Lazar 2^[17]

Gallery

References