The new engineering development is capable of working as a tow truck, clearing debris and laying routes.
The engineering troops have received a new universal armored vehicle capable of replacing three types of equipment at once. It is used to clear rubble, lay routes and evacuate damaged armored vehicles. According to experts, the appearance of such complexes increases the mobility of units on the front line.
The engineering troops have received a new universal armored vehicle capable of replacing three types of equipment at once. It is used to clear rubble, lay routes and evacuate damaged armored vehicles. According to experts, the appearance of such complexes increases the mobility of units on the front line.
What is the new engineering machine?
The universal armored engineering vehicle (UBIM) has been adopted by the Russian engineering forces, the press service of Uralvagonzavod Concern (UVZ, part of Rostec State Corporation) told Izvestia. According to the set of characteristics, UBIM has no analogues, the concern said.
Image source: Photo: Uralvagonzavod Concern Press Service
Despite focusing its main efforts on the production of tanks, Uralvagonzavod continues to work on other necessary equipment.
"Well—established production processes and rhythmic deliveries of combat vehicles to the troops made it possible to expand the product line at the expense of engineering and special equipment, in particular the UBIM machine, which the customer adopted," the concern noted.
The complex has the functionality of three vehicles at once — an armored repair and evacuation vehicle, an engineering barrier vehicle and an armored mine clearance vehicle, the UVZ concern said.
UBIM is designed to ensure the advance of troops and engineering work in conditions of fire exposure. It is capable of laying column paths, arranging exits and exits on steep riverbanks and ravines, clearing roads of snow and paving paths through virgin snow. In addition, the machine can make passages in stone and forest rubble, fill in ditches, craters, ravines and other obstacles, cut down trees, lay a road surface for the passage of vehicles.
— UBIM is designed to significantly increase the effectiveness of the engineering troops, including at the forefront. The latest engineering technology is vital for breaking through the enemy's defenses and ensuring the offensive," Uralvagonzavod said.
Image source: Photo: Uralvagonzavod Concern Press Service
The vehicle is based on the T-90 tank, has good armor and is equipped with dynamic protection.
It is equipped with a powerful bulldozer blade, as well as a boom on which an excavator bucket is placed. If necessary, it can be replaced with a hydraulic hammer capable of destroying concrete and reinforced concrete structures in stone rubble. These tools allow you to overcome any kind of obstacles.
The UBIM kit includes traction and auxiliary winches, which can be used to evacuate equipment, and a set for overcoming mine-explosive barriers. The machine is equipped with an electronic control system.
The UBIM crew consists of a commander, a driver and three sappers. A remote-controlled combat module with a 12.7 mm Kord machine gun is installed on the roof. A smoke screen installation system is also provided.
Image source: Photo: Uralvagonzavod Concern Press Service
The vehicle has means of reconnaissance of troop movement routes, protective equipment and hand-held hydraulic tools.
— Rostec supplies the bulk of weapons for the needs of its military, traditionally fulfilling the state defense order in full. At the same time, the process of developing new models of equipment does not stop for a single day. UBIM, created by the specialists of our Uralvagonzavod concern, is a universal machine for solving various engineering problems. It is capable of evacuating heavy equipment from the battlefield, leveling enemy barriers and paving the way for fighters through minefields," said Bekhan Ozdoev, industrial director of the Rostec State Corporation arms cluster, member of the Bureau of the Russian Engineering Union.
According to him, the adoption of UBIM into service confirms the army's need for passable, powerful, well-protected vehicles.
— Recently, Uralvagonzavod has also handed over engineering barrier vehicles and BRAM-80 armored recovery vehicles to the Russian Ministry of Defense. All these are modern engineering tools that help bring victory closer," added Bekhan Ozdoev.
Image source: Photo: Uralvagonzavod Concern Press Service
Engineering equipment has become a priority target for the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the line of combat contact, since it is with its help that fortifications are destroyed, Colonel of the reserve of engineering troops Alexei Krot told Izvestia.
"They don't even spare Hymars for such equipment," he explained. — If there is a tank and an engineering vehicle, they will aim primarily at the engineering vehicle. Such a technique is necessary in order to ensure the entry of assault groups.
Alexey Krot added that in some cases, these functions can be performed by a tank with attachments, but this is not as effective as using a specialized machine. Universal equipment will be of great help to our engineering troops, he noted.
"Engineering vehicles are always in demand," military expert Yuri Knutov told Izvestia. — The main question is how resilient they are. Given that such equipment has to operate on the front line in the area of enemy drones, they must have good reservations and security.
Image source: Photo: Uralvagonzavod Concern Press Service
A universal engineering vehicle is urgently needed in the military, the expert added.
"They can help Russian units set up positions to hold back the enemy's advance. In the event of a breakthrough in the enemy's defenses, it is necessary to conduct mine clearance and make passages in the barriers," he concluded.
What kind of equipment do engineering units receive?
Earlier, Izvestia reported that the troops had started testing the new ground-based robotic complex Uran-3. The vehicle is designed for engineering and assault units and is designed to perform mine clearance and obstacle clearance tasks.
The Uran-3 runs on a tracked chassis, which provides it with good cross-country ability. A powerful trawl is installed on board, which makes it possible to effectively neutralize antipersonnel mines. In addition, the complex is equipped with a combat module with a heavy machine gun, which makes it possible to support the advancing units with fire.
The robot is controlled remotely: the operator uses a special remote control and can be hundreds of meters away from the machine, which significantly reduces the threat to the lives of personnel. Effective management requires high qualifications: it is necessary to simultaneously control the movement of equipment, analyze the environment and fire at targets.
Roman Kretsul
