Belarus supplies Russia with chassis for the "Pantsir" air defence system — investigation

This is according to a report by BelPol.

The use of new platforms is intended to resolve chronic issues with Russian systems based on KamAZ vehicles, such as poor off-road capability and a tendency to roll over. The Minsk Wheeled Tractor Plant (MZKT) was due to supply Russia with 18 units of the MZKT-7930-312 chassis.

The new platform features an armoured cab, a windscreen divided into two sections instead of three, and a number of other significant differences. One of the main ones is improved stability: KamAZ vehicles often overturned due to the high centre of gravity of the combat module.

"It is worth noting separately that, according to the documents, it was specifically the 72V6.00.00.000-08 combat module (CM) that was integrated onto the MZKT chassis. The 72V6 index indicates that this refers specifically to the ‘Pantsir-S1’ modification for the needs of the Russian Armed Forces, rather than export versions or the modernised ‘Pantsir-S2’ version,” the publication notes.

It is likely that part of the contract has already been fulfilled and the equipment is being used in the war against Ukraine. In particular, the "Pantsir-S1" system hit in Mariupol had the characteristic silhouette of the MZKT chassis. It had previously been mistakenly identified as a Bryansk chassis (BAZ) due to its armoured cabin, which is atypical for Russian versions.

Russia had previously considered the MZKT chassis for another contract. This involved the supply of "Pantsir" air defence systems to the UAE.

As a result, it was decided that all "Pantsir-S1" air defence systems for the UAE would be supplied on MAN’s 8×8 wheeled platform – the MAN-SX45," the publication added.