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Three Decades After the USSR Collapse, Belarus Fields Its First Indigenous Combat Vehicle

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Photo of Vlad Litnarovych
Vlad Litnarovych
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Three Decades After the USSR Collapse, Belarus Fields Its First Indigenous Combat Vehicle
Belarussian Volat V2 armored personnel carrier. (Source: Army Recognition)

Belarus has officially adopted the Volat V2 armored personnel carrier (APC), designated MZKT-690003-021, into service with its armed forces, according to the country’s State Military-Industrial Committee on May 20.

Developed entirely in-country by the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant (MZKT), the Volat V2 marks a significant milestone as the first fully Belarusian-made vehicle of its class.

The new wheeled 8×8 APC recently completed state trials and will be publicly showcased at the MILEX-2025 defense exhibition in Minsk, scheduled for May 21–24.

Two variants of the new Belarussian Volat V2 APC, one featuring the Adunok-BM30.2 combat module (left, the one that entered Belarussian service), the middle vehicle featuring the revised BMP-2 turret, and BMP-2 (right) during tests. (Photo: open source)
Two variants of the new Belarussian Volat V2 APC, one featuring the Adunok-BM30.2 combat module (left, the one that entered Belarussian service), the middle vehicle featuring the revised BMP-2 turret, and BMP-2 (right) during tests. (Photo: open source)

Designed for troop transport, fire support, amphibious operations, and special missions, the Volat V2 is intended to replace outdated Soviet-era platforms such as the BTR-70, BTR-80, and BMP-1 and 2.

Its adoption reflects Belarus’s broader push to modernize its ground forces with homegrown technology while reducing reliance on Russian systems.

Weighing in at 23.5 tons, the V2 boasts a 560-horsepower diesel engine, an automatic six-speed transmission, and an independent hydropneumatic suspension.

It can reach speeds of over 110 km/h on roads and 10 km/h in water, with an operational range of up to 1,200 km.

The vehicle’s layout features a front-mounted engine, central crew compartment, and rear troop bay accessible by a powered ramp. Crew capacity includes three operators and space for eight dismounts.

The armored hull is built to withstand small arms and mine blasts, with protection levels meeting GOST and STANAG standards. Additional survivability features include a V-shaped belly, suspended blast-resistant seating, and a 10-ton-capable self-recovery winch.

The adopted configuration is armed with the Adunok-BM30.2 remotely operated weapon station, developed by the Display Design Bureau.

It features a 30mm 2A42 automatic cannon, a coaxial 7.62mm PKT machine gun, four Konkurs-RB anti-tank guided missiles, and smoke grenade launchers.

The fire control suite includes thermal imaging, a laser rangefinder, and automatic target acquisition with engagement ranges of up to 4 km.

Internally, the V2 integrates climate control, a battlefield management system, 360-degree cameras, and CBRN protection systems. Future variants may incorporate Belarusian-made Shershen-Q ATGMs.

Although operational deployment has begun, full-scale fielding will require expanded production, crew training, and logistics integration.

Earlier, Belarus' leader, Alexander Lukashenko, instructed experts to determine whether the country has deposits of rare earth minerals.

“This is the future. We need to dig and see what resources we have in our land,” Lukashenko said.

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