Algerian Army Unveils New Mine-Clearing Engineering Vehicle Based on Soviet T-62 Tank Chassis.

During the military parade on November 1, 2024, marking the 70th anniversary of the Liberation Revolution, the Algerian Army introduced a newly developed engineer tracked armored vehicle. This advanced engineering vehicle is based on the Soviet-era T-62 main battle tank chassis, upgraded with modern features to enable specialized mine-clearing and demolition tasks on the battlefield. Designed for combat engineering operations, this new asset in the Algerian military arsenal significantly enhances the country's capability to handle obstacles and explosives in hostile environments.
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The Algerian Army's newly unveiled mine-clearing engineer vehicle, based on the Soviet T-62 tank chassis, was showcased during the military parade commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Liberation Revolution on November 1, 2024. (Picture source: Screenshot Video report Algerian National TV)

Two large boxes mounted at the top of the Soviet-made T-62 tank chassis house linear demolition charges, which enable the vehicle's core functionality. These mine-clearing line charges can be deployed by rocket propulsion, making it an effective tool for breaching minefields and clearing paths for advancing troops and vehicles. This technology positions the new Algerian engineering vehicle on par with the American M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicle (ABV) based on the M1 Abrams tank chassis. It is similarly equipped for breaching and obstacle-clearing operations.

The Algerian engineer vehicle is fitted with explosive reactive armor (ERA) plates strategically placed on the upper and lower glacis and covering approximately 75% of its sides. This armor configuration provides enhanced protection against incoming threats, such as rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and anti-tank missiles, which are common in minefield clearance zones. The vehicle's rear is equipped with statistical armor, providing lighter protection while maintaining essential defense for the engineering crew.

For further self-defense, the vehicle has a bank of three smoke dischargers on each side, located above the mine-laying boxes. These dischargers allow the vehicle to deploy smoke screens to obscure its position from enemy forces. This feature is critical in hostile zones, where smoke can enhance the survivability of the vehicle and crew by providing temporary cover during complex operations.

The new vehicle is armed with a 12.7mm heavy machine gun mounted at the front center of the mine-laying boxes. This weapon provides defensive fire capability, enabling the crew to respond effectively to close-range threats. The choice of a heavy machine gun for self-protection aligns with similar configurations in other modern engineering vehicles, balancing firepower and functionality.

The vehicle’s crew includes three personnel: a driver, a commander, and an operator who oversees mine-clearing tasks. This configuration allows for specialized roles in operating the vehicle, managing explosive deployment, and navigating hostile terrains. The crew structure and vehicle design emphasize operational efficiency and resilience, critical elements for engineering vehicles deployed in high-risk zones.

The unveiling of this T-62-based engineering vehicle highlights Algeria's commitment to modernizing its armored fleet with multi-role vehicles capable of supporting both offensive and defensive operations. By adapting the T-62 tank chassis, Algeria capitalizes on a reliable and robust platform, modernized to meet battlefield requirements without requiring new tank designs. This approach optimizes resources and aligns with Algeria’s broader strategy of bolstering its domestic defense capabilities with versatile and cost-effective solutions.

With this new combat engineer vehicle, the Algerian Army adds a critical asset to its combat engineering units, enhancing their capability to support armored columns and infantry in clearing mines and obstacles. Its introduction reflects a strategic move towards self-sufficiency in defense production, showcasing a simultaneously advanced and familiar platform, blending legacy components with modern engineering solutions.

The appearance of this vehicle at the parade underscores Algeria's progress in advancing its defense technology and its resolve to build a self-reliant, well-equipped military force capable of addressing evolving security challenges.