NPO “Praktika,” part of the “League of Defence Enterprises,” is completing the production of the prototype 6×6 wheeled armoured personnel carrier (APC) “Otaman.” Factory testing is scheduled to begin by the end of 2019.
This was reported by the Ukrainian Military Portal, citing information shared by Sergey Vilkov, Head of Development at “Praktika,” during a recent press tour of the enterprise.
Among the main systems still to be implemented for the armoured personnel carrier are the amphibious drives and the vehicle’s climate control. Once these are completed, the “Otaman” will be ready for the installation of the combat module.
Thanks to the amphibious drives, the vehicle will be able to move and manoeuvre while afloat. In addition, for stability and control on water, the vehicle is equipped with a specially designed wave deflector:
The “Otaman” hull is armoured with specialised mine protection, which makes the APC taller than the Soviet-era BTR-70 and BTR-80 models.
The transmission is an automatic Allison gearbox. The diesel engine is a Deutz model with 558 horsepower, located at the front of the vehicle. The APC features independent suspension with all-wheel drive.
In the troop compartment of the basic version of the armoured personnel carrier, up to six fully equipped soldiers are seated facing each other. In the event of a blast, special seats help absorb some of the impact to protect the occupants.
The climate system includes overall internal ventilation of the combat vehicle, heating for cold weather, and air conditioning for hot conditions.
Key technical specifications of the “Otaman” APC:
- Gross weight: 22 tonnes
- Payload capacity: 5 tonnes
- Length: 7.2 metres
- Width: 2.9 metres
- Height: 2.3 metres
- On-road speed: 100 km/h
- Water speed: 8 km/h
- Mine protection class: STANAG Level 4
- Mine protection: up to 8 kg
The company also develops the armored personnel carrier as a base for other specialized vehicles:
- fire support vehicle
- self-propelled mortar
- ambulance vehicle
- command vehicle
- other
The development of the “Otaman” armored personnel carrier concept began in 2016. However, full-scale development started in 2018, and by the end of 2019, a prototype is expected to be ready for factory testing. Following these tests, state trials are anticipated to begin, which will last several years under a specialized program.