KrAZ Spartan Armored Personnel Carrier is under manufacturing in Poltava region

August 7, 2016 (military-today.com)    The KrAZ Spartan armored personnel carrier is produced in the city of Kremenchug located 100 km. south of Poltava under license from the Streit Group. It is a version of the Streit Group Spartan multipurpose armored vehicle. First vehicles were delivered to Ukrainian armed forced in 2014. These armored vehicles were pressed into service due to ongoing military conflict in Ukraine. These vehicles are used by Ukrainian National Guard. At least 21 of these APCs were delivered.

   The KrAZ Spartan is based on Ford F-550 pickup truck chassis. This armored personnel carrier is cost effective to maintain and to operate. The Spartan fits the gap between unarmored trucks and dedicated 8x8 armored personnel carriers, such as the BTR-3 or BTR-4. Due to the lack of readily available armored vehicles it was pressed into service with Ukrainian armed forces. It is worth noting that during the military conflict with Russia, Ukraine lost a large number of their armored vehicles. It would take too long to produce new 8x8 armored personnel carriers.

   The Ukrainian KrAZ Spartan armored personnel carrier is based on the Ford F-550 pickup truck chassis

It is worth noting that Ford F-series pickup trucks were used as a base for a number of light multi-purpose armored vehicles. This chassis is suitable due to its cost effectiveness, payload capacity, powerful engine and good cross-country mobility. Armor of the Spartan provides protection against small arms fire and artillery shell splinters. Floor of the vehicle withstands grenade blasts.

   The Spartan accommodates driver, gunner and 10 troops. Passengers enter and leave the vehicle via side- or rear doors. There are some firing ports and associated vision blocks provided for the troops to fire their individual weapons. Vehicle has a payload capacity of 1 100 kg and carry various supplies in place of the troops.

   The Spartan can be armed with various weapons, such as a shielded 12.7-mm machine gun or 40-mm automatic grenade launcher. It seems that most of the vehicles delivered to Ukrainian armed forces had this type of atmament. Some initial production vehicles delivered to Ukrainian armed forces were fitted with Sarmat remotely controlled weapon station, armed with 12.7-mm machine gun and 4 Ukrainian Korsar anti-tank guided missiles. It uses Ukrainian RK-3 missile with a maximum range of 2 500 m and RK-2S missile with a maximum range of 5 000 m. Both missiles are laser-guided and are available with tandem HEAT and HE-FRAG warheads.

   The Ukrainian KrAZ Cougar armored personnel carrier

This armored personnel carrier is powered by a Ford 6.7-liter V8 turbocharged diesel engine, developing 400 hp. It is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmissions. Vehicle has a selectable all-wheel drive. Ukrainian armed forces also acquired KrAZ Cougar light armored personnel carriers. The Kuguar is also a product of Streit Group, that is license-produced in Ukraine by AvtoKrAZ.