MILEX-2025 – Belarus presents the upgraded version of the Volat V-2 APC
The upgraded Belarusian Volat V-2 armoured personnel carrier (APC) produced by the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant (MZKT) was shown at the MILEX-2025 International Exhibition of Arms and Military Equipment.
As Vasily Buryan, Chief Designer of MZKT, told reporters, the upgraded Volat V-2 model is being publicly demonstrated for the first time. It has passed tests and is presented with additional options
The first model of that APC was presented at MILEX-2021 in the form of a mock-up, after which development work began according to technical specifications issued by the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Belarus, and tests were conducted on prototypes. According to Vasily Buryan, the APC was accepted into service by the Belarusian army, and a corresponding contract for the supply of vehicles was signed.
He also added that this APC raised the interest of a number of countries, including the Russian Federation, Russia being interested in the experience of Belarusian developers.
As the chief designer of MZKT noted, the main difference between the current Volat V-2 model and the one demonstrated earlier is that the one shown at this edition of MILEX is a fully developed vehicle, which has passed all qualification tests.
The vehicle seen in Minsk featured add-on armour, electronic warfare systems and night vision cameras, all these being offered by Belarusian manufacturers such as KB Radar for electromagnetic systems and BelOMA for optronics.
The Volat V-2 APC, which factory name is MZKT-690003 (V2), is an 8×8 armoured vehicle, the one seen at MILEX-2025 being equipped with a remote-controlled weapon module (RCWM) Adunok-BM30.2. This is armed with a 2A4230 mm automatic cannon, a 7.62 mm PKT coaxial machine gun, and a new “Konkurs-RB” twin launcher capable of using all missiles of the “Konkurs” and “Fagot” families. The RCWM is fitted with two sights, one for the commander and one for the gunner, which provide hunter-killer capability. The new combat module is equipped with a modern fire control system, allowing to detect targets at a distance of up to 6.5 km, and conduct aimed fire at a range of 4 km. The Adunok-BM30.2 is equipped with an automatic target tracking system.
As for the vehicle, it has a classic architecture, with the engine and transmission at the front, and the infantry compartment at the rear. The 23.5 tonnes vehicle is powered by a Chinese Weichai WP 13.550 turbocharged diesel engine which provides 560 hp (420 kW), coupled to an automatic transmission with 6 forward speeds and one reverse speed. The Volat V-2 is fitted with independent hydropneumatic suspension, and is equipped with a central tire inflation system, its tires being fitted with a runflat system. Maximum speed on road is 110 km/h, the Volat V-2 being capable to overcomes vertical obstacles up to 0.5 metres, 2 metres ditches, heights with a slope of up to 31°, and can move with a lateral surface slope of up to 35°.
The Volat V-2 is fully amphibious, and under the thrust of its two waterjets located at the rear its speed afloat is 8 km/h.
The vehicle is fitted with two 220 litres fuel tanks which ensure a 900 km range at cruise speed. The Volat V-2 APC can carry up to 11 people, 3 crew members and 8 dismounts, and is fitted with energy absorbing seats with safety belts, additional raised floor for anti-mine protection.
The Volat V-2 APC has STANAG 4569 Level 3 protection in the frontal arc, holding 7.62×51 mm and 7.62x54R armour-piercing balls, all round and top protection being at Level 2, holding 7.62×39 AP rounds and fragments of a 155-mm high-explosive shell from a distance of 80 meters. The Belarus APC has a double bottom, which significantly increases mine protection; this is at STANAG 4569 Level 2, which is capable of withstanding the explosion of 6 kg of explosives under the wheel. The Volat V-2 APC can be transported by air on board Il-76, An-124 and An-22 aircraft.
Photo by N. Novichkov
