02.01.2025.
High mobility and protection levels of Lazar 3 combat vehicle
The adoption of modern Lazar 3 multi-role combat vehicles produced by the defence industry has greatly improved the protection of SAF infantry units and significantly enhanced their operational capabilities.
This wheeled vehicle can be equipped with various types of weapons, such as a remotely controlled battle station with a 12.7 mm machine gun, or a turret with a 30 mm gun, which can effectively engage targets on the ground, such as lightly armoured and logistics vehicles, command posts and manpower, as well as aerial targets, i.e. helicopters and drones.The combat vehicle is in service at the Army infantry battalions. At the Borovac Training Area near Base South, members of the 41st Infantry Battalion conduct various types of training every day in order to maintain and improve their ability to perform unit-specific tasks.
Senior Staff Sergeant Ivan Cvetković, who serves as the commander of the Lazar 3 armoured fighting vehicle in this unit, says that the introduction of this modern wheeled vehicle has improved the mobility of the Serbian Armed Forces, and points out the importance of the remotely controlled battle station and 82 mm smoke bomb launchers mounted on the vehicle’s roof.— It is also possible to engage targets whilst inside the vehicle, because there are five loopholes on the left and right sides, and two more loopholes in the back. On its flanks and rear, the armoured fighting vehicle is protected against 7.62 mm calibre ammunition, and along its front against 12.7 mm calibre ammunition. It also has anti-mine protection that protects the crew from eight kilograms of explosives. With the adoption of the Lazar 3 armoured fighting vehicle, our military has caught up with the most modern militaries in the world, and our infantry has received the most modern vehicles of this sort in the world - emphasizes Senior Staff Sergeant Cvetković and adds that the unit members are also armed with M-19 modular rifles and M-20 submachine guns.
All wheels of this 8x8 vehicle have independent suspension, which gives the vehicle high mobility and great load capacity. The power train is accommodated in the front right-side of the vehicle in a protected space completely separated from the crew and the central transfer case transmits the torque to all wheels. All the shafts provide power, while the first two steer the wheels. Lazar 3 has a highly sophisticated, modular ballistic and anti-mine protection, as well as an air-conditioning system which enables the vehicle and the crew to operate in extreme weather conditions. Lazar 3 can reach a maximum speed of 110 km/h. It is characterized by exceptional manoeuvrability that allows it to climb a 60 degree slope, a 30 degree side slope, overcome 0.55 m vertical obstacles, 2 m trenches and 1.6 m water obstacles.
