From Bukhanka to Plastun: New Off-Road Vehicles for Paratroopers Unveiled in Russia

In Russia, a series of open-top Plastun off-road vehicles has been developed for paratroopers, which could replace Bukhanka vehicles and those from China.

The vehicles were demonstrated at the exhibition center of the Alabino military training ground, The Dead District reports.

Over 80 enterprises participated in the exhibition of developments for the Russian Airborne Forces.

One of them — the Plastun company — has developed a series of compact, lightly armored open-top off-road vehicles for Russian paratroopers.

The idea is to reduce dependence on Chinese off-road vehicles and vehicles not designed for the modern needs of the military, in particular the UAZ-452 Bukhanka.

To transport the wounded, personnel, and cargo in combat zones, Plastun has introduced the TT (tactical transporter) off-road vehicle.

The transporters are based on an articulated frame instead of a monocoque one, which provides a smaller turning radius and reduces the likelihood of diagonal sagging.

Externally, the off-road vehicles are clad with 2-mm-thick aluminum sheet panels.

Both the powertrain and the transfer case are mounted in the front section of the transporter.

Maneuverability is achieved by tilting the frame up to 30 degrees using a hydro-pneumatic steering system.

The rear section of the off-road vehicles is a cargo compartment. It can accommodate troops, wounded personnel, or logistical cargo, or be equipped with anti-drone machine guns.

Last year, Russia patented an anti-drone device with propellers for UAZ-452 Bukhanka vehicles.