MT-LBu armoured tracked towing unit (Image: Wikipedia)

Russia may deploy new Toros tracked armored vehicles for its units in the Arctic region.

"Russian servicemen in Arctic need armoured fighting vehicles modified for the harshest climatic conditions of the region. The usage of traditional BMP-2 and BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles (IFV), as well as BTR-80 /82A armoured personnel carriers (APC) is hampered by the lack of effective air heaters. An armoured vehicle for the Arctic Region should feature high-power air heating units, spacious troops compartment and special engineer equipment, such as U-blade," Army recognition reported citing an unnamed sources as saying Thursday.

"Last year Russian Muromteplovoz revealed its Toros vehicle based on MT-LBu armoured tracked towing unit at the Army-2015 defense show. Toros is specially modified for usage in the Arctic Region as it is equipped with all required systems. Russian MoD is considering the possibility of acquiring several Toros vehicles for trials. If they reveal their combat potential, the ministry may issue Toros vehicles to its Arctic troops," the source said.

As mentioned, Toros tracked IFV is based on MT-LBu vehicle that is being produced by Muromteplovoz on serial basis. In basic configuration, Toros has a combat weight of approximately 15 t, a length of 7,210 mm, a width of 3,150 mm, a height of 1,905 mm, a road speed of 60 km/h, a range of 500 km and a service life of 30 years. The vehicle can swim at speed of 4-6 km/h. Toros is powered by YaMZ-238BL-1 (310 h.p.) diesel engine.

The vehicle has received MB-2 manned combat turret developed by Muromteplovoz. MB-2 is armed with 30mm 2A42 automatic cannon, coaxial 7.62mm Kalashnikov PKTM machinegun, 30mm AG-17 automatic grenade launcher (AGL) mounted in an external container located on the right side of the turret and six 81mm Tucha 902V smoke grenade launchers.

The turret incorporates TKN-4GA-03 combined optical/infrared sight with integrated thermal imager. MB-2 has an ammunition load that comprises 300 30mm rounds (including 150 armour-piercing and 150 high-explosive ones), 2,000 7.62mm cartridges and 300 30mm HE grenades. The turret can be equipped with two ready-to-launch 9M113M Konkurs-M (NATO reporting name: AT-5 Spandrel) anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) that replace AG-17 AGL.

At the same time, Toros features relatively week armour protection. According to official data provided by Muromteplovoz, the vehicle is armoured at Level 3 (K) STANAG 4569 (all-round protection against 7.62mm hard steel/tungsten alloy armour-piercing bullet at 30 m distance).

Toros is equipped with U-blade, VSN-9DN diesel-generator set, additional heat-insulation and Polar 4D-24 air heaters. The vehicle can tow a trailer (6.5 t).