Ivory Coast demonstrates Belarusian made Kaiman armored cars.

The military of Cote d`Ivoire demonstrated its new Belarusian-made Kaiman (Caiman) 4x4 armored cars during a military parade dedicated to the 58th anniversary of the country`s independence, according to local media outlets.

A total of eight Kaiman vehicles were shown, including four painted black and four camouflaged. (Picture source:Twitter)

A total of eight Kaiman vehicles were shown, including four painted black and four camouflaged. The first four cars are believed to have been operated by the Gendarmerie of Cote d`Ivoire, while the remaining four are reported to have been driven by the country`s military. It should be mentioned that Gendarmerie`s Kaimans carried no pieces of armament or weapon stations. The militarized vehicles were armed with NSVT Utyos 12.7 mm heavy machineguns (HMGs) in open-top mounts.

Therefore, Cote d`Ivoire has become the launch customer for the Kaiman armored car. The country seems to have acquired at least eight Belarusian-made vehicles. Earlier this year, Belarusian officials said the export deliveries of the Kaiman had already been started. In January, Head of Belarus` State Military-Industrial Committee Oleg Dvigalyov told Belarusian media "the Kaiman light armored vehicles are being shipped to an African country". However, the official did not specify the buyer of the armored car.

The Kaiman armored reconnaissance vehicle (ARV) has a combat weight of no more than 7,000 kg (+-3%), a ground clearance of 490 mm, and a wheel base of 3,100 mm. The vehicle`s passenger capacity reaches six servicemen (including its crew). The car features a steel monocoque hull, which provides STANAG 4569 Level 3 protection against bullets and small fragments. The vehicle is powered by a D-245.30E2 diesel engine, which produces a maximum road speed of 110 km/h, a maximum swimming speed of 8 km/h, and a road cruise range of up to 1,000 km. The ARV can carry a Kalashnikov 7.62 mm medium machinegun, NSVT Utyos 12.7 mm heavy machinegun (HMG), AGS-17 30 mm automatic grenade launcher, Adunok remote-controlled weapon station with an Utyos HMG, or a communications suite. The Kaiman seems to be based on the chassis of the Soviet-age BRDM-2 ARV. However, Belarusian sources say the vehicle has been made from scratch.