Sunday, March 08, 2015

Russia's Northern Fleet is getting new vehicles for its Arctic Brigades (Naval Infantry).

via Russia Times.
The Arctic brigades of the Russian Northern Fleet are getting an off-road vehicle destined for the rough conditions of deep snow and freezing temperatures, while also being able to float in the water.
The first snow-and swamp truck for the Russian navy can deal with obstacles of up to 1.8 meters in height. The full-track vehicle is equipped with a starting preheater for both the motor and propeller, according to RIA Novosti.
The vehicle has been designed as a chain of modules – with the front power module able to hold six people and the back module ten people. The back can easily be transformed from a passenger car into a sleeping area, a medical block, or a command center.
Manufacturers website.

The Russians seem to be taking this move to the Arctic seriously and (using open source) are light years ahead of the allies.  This vehicle is just another piece in the puzzle and while it appears to be an enlarged BV206 Hagglund, its really an evolution of Russian thinking in the field.

DT-30
What is mystifying is the fact that the Russians already have the above vehicle and several others that fulfill this role nicely.  My only thought is that perhaps they're getting a troop carrier and will relegate larger all terrain vehicles to logistics work?

Either way, they're going to have excellent ground mobility in Arctic snow, ice, mud, marshes and across water.