Partner 2021: Serbia integrates Russian unmanned weapon stations on Lazar III A1 ACVs

The Lazar III A1 ACV armed with the Russian-made 32V01 unmanned combat module. (Dmitry Fediushko)

Serbia's Yugoimport has integrated Russian-designed 32V01 and AU-220M remotely operated weapon stations (ROWS) on to its new Lazar III A1 family of armoured combat vehicles (ACVs). The modified platforms were unveiled at the Partner 2021 international defence show in Belgrade, Serbia, between 11 and 14 October.

The Lazar III A1 with the 32V01 ROWS carries a modification of the module with a Shipunov 2A42 30 mm automatic cannon, a Kalashnikov PKTM 7.62 mm co-axial machine gun, and six Tucha-family smoke dischargers in two banks on either side of the turret. The armament suite enables the vehicle to engage targets at distances of up to 4,000 m via its main weapon.

The platform produces a top speed of 110 km/h, has a turning radius of 11.5 m, and can cross a 2 m trench or a 1.6 m water obstacle. The vehicle has also retained its organic troop-carrying capacity.

Serbia also unveiled the Lazanski wheeled ACV, which features scalable armour protection, at STANAG Level 4. The vehicle weighs between 26 and 36 tonnes and measures 8 m long, 3.2 m wide, and 3.6 m high. It can transport up to 13 servicemen. The vehicle is armed with the AU-220M weapon station integrating a 57 mm automatic cannon, a PKTM machine gun, and six ready-use Tucha smoke dischargers.

A Yugoimport representative told Janes at the show that the 32V01 was selected because of its high weight-to-firepower ratio and a low silhouette, while high firepower and the capability to engage lightweight targets on the battlefield was behind the selection of the AU-220M.