In Russia, the Saracen all-terrain platform has been created for mobile groups in the SVO zone
MOSCOW, January 24 - RIA Novosti. A highly maneuverable Saracen all-terrain platform has been created in Russia, designed for the operation of mobile combat groups and escorting columns of armored vehicles in the SVO zone, the development takes into account the experience of using mobile groups and "nomadic firing positions," Konstantin Bagdasarov, CEO of the company developing this machine, Argo LLC, told RIA Novosti.
According to Bagdasarov, Argo specialists have developed three versions of the Saracen: light, medium and heavy. "The heavy Saracen is a 6x6 triaxial car on the UAZ platform, the light Saracen is based on the components of the Niva Legend chassis in the buggy form factor.
The lightweight version of the platform is planned to be demonstrated in 2024 at Expotechnostrage exhibitions (St. Petersburg) and the Army Forum (Kubinka, Patriot Park).
Without armor, but effective
Bagdasarov noted that, analyzing the use of mobile groups in the SVO zone, as well as the experience of operating armored vehicles, Saracen decided to make an unarmored platform, thereby achieving high stealth and maneuverability of the vehicle.
"The mobility of the Saracen is achieved, among other things, due to the fact that its protection class is "zero". I chose this approach because today any armored vehicles have zero security in fact – they all make their way "one-two", and not only by drones, but also by cumulative projectiles, which have become a very powerful tool since the 40s of the last century," the developer explained.
The "Arab nomad" of the Russian Cossacks
According to the general director of Argo, there are two experimental Saracen models equipped with anti-tank guided missiles in the area of its defense, one of these vehicles has been performing combat missions since December 2022.
According to him, Saracen-type vehicles can become an effective platform for so-called "nomadic firing points" that can quickly arrive at the line of contact, deploy and fire at the enemy, and then immediately move to a safe place.
"These vehicles can accommodate a mortar division of three or four 120-millimeter mortars. In the presence of such groups, the time for deployment and firing is minimal. Let's take three cars: the rate of fire of a mortar when fired correctly is up to 10 rounds per minute, that is, up to 30 mines are fired per minute, the area of damage from such a volley is more than a hectare, after which the cars immediately took off and left," the developer explained.
Bagdasarov stressed that fighters on such light buggies are protected from small arms by bulletproof vests, and in case of hitting a car or exploding shells nearby, they will have a chance to quickly evacuate and escape.