New Russian MTR-K reconnaissance vehicle demonstrated at Prudboy range near Volgograd.

The newest MTR-K reconnaissance vehicle has been demonstrated at the Prudboy range in the Southern Military District (YuVO) as part of a training meeting with the key technical assistance and maintenance personnel of mechanized armored services and logistics support bodies of the Russian Armed Forces, YuVO's press service said. "The newest MTR-K reconnaissance vehicle will come in service with the Russian Armed Forces in 2020 after state trials," YuVO said.

Taifun-K (Picture source: Russian MoD)

The MTR-K is an armored 4x4 vehicle with a lifting capacity of about 3,000 kg. The vehicle is armed with a Kord-S machinegun and is designed to protect its crew against a blast of 8 kg of explosives anywhere beneath the hull and against kinetic threats. The maximum speed exceeds 100 km/h. The range reaches 800 km. The MTR-K is equipped with navigational and night vision instruments, radiological and chemical reconnaissance devices, an all-round video observation system and a drone. The personnel of technical service and maintenance units will be able to use MTR-K vehicles to approach damaged or bogged down vehicles in the battlefield, assess their technical state and render necessary technical assistance.

The MTR-K was presented at the Prudboy proving ground in the SMD and, according to the Russian MoD, will enter service with the Russian armed forces in 2020 after conducting state trials. The SMD said the vehicle is designed to transport technical specialists on the battlefield, allowing them to approach damaged or immobilised vehicles and assess the best way to provide assistance.

The MTR-K is based on the Taifun-K protected mobility vehicle developed by Remdizel specifically for Russia’s airborne forces, which carries an unmanned aerial vehicle and night vision systems for reconnaissance. The Taifun-K was originally intended to be used by Russia’s airborne forces but Remdizel announced a contract for the vehicle in 2018 that is thought to have been either for the Russian ground forces or the Rosgvardia. The MTR-K may have been designed for use on what Russian planners refer to as an ‘inverted front’ where the location of the enemy is not clear and friendly forces are likely to be dispersed.

The Taifun-PVO MANPADS operator vehicle is also currently passing through factory tests. “Two vehicles are now being tested in Southern Russia. Once the trials are completed, the acquisition issue will be considered,” the MoD representative said. The Taifun-PVO has no launching unit and is a transport vehicle designed to carry two or three MANPADS – it is designed for the operators of the Igla, Igla-S, and Verba MANPADS. The vehicle’s maneuvering performance and armament suite identical to that of the MTR-K. Russian armed forces are also planning to adopt the new Linza (Lens) MRAP medical evacuation vehicle before the end of the year. Unlike the MTR-K and Taifun-PVO, the Linza is based on the K-53949 Taifun-K, a heavier 4×4 MRAP vehicle, on which the Taifun-VDV was originally based.

Taifun-K (Picture source: Russian MoD)

Taifun-K (Picture source: Russian MoD)