Christopher F. Foss on armored combat vehicles "Lazar 3", "Lazar 3M" and "Lazanski"
Two Serbian armoured vehicles, the Lazar 8x8 and the Lazanski 8x8, have been equipped with different remote controlled weapon stations and protection levels.
The Lazar 8x8 was originally introduced into service with Serbian forces fitted with a roof-mounted unstabilised remote controlled weapon station armed with a 12.7mm machine gun.
Above: The Lazar 3 8x8 fitted with a remote weapon station armed with two 30mm cannon laid onto the target by a day/night sighting system. (Photo: author)
For trial purposes, the Lazar 3 has now been integrated with a remote-controlled weapon station (RCWS) armed with two 30x210mm single-feed cannon each provided with 110 rounds of ready ammunition, with a claimed maximum range in the ground-to-ground role of 2,000m.
The new model of Lazar, designation 3M, has also been completed, which is equipped with a RCWS armed with a stabilised 30mm dual-feed cannon and 7.62mm coaxial machine gun (MG) laid onto the target via charge-coupled device (CCD) camera, infra-red (IR) camera with laser rangefinder and automatic tracker.
The cannon is provided with 300 rounds of ammunition (200 high explosive and 100 armour-piercing tracer).
The M in the designation indicates the vehicle has an additional armour package and anti-mine protection which has increased its weight of around 30t. Unlike earlier Lazars the 3M does not have any bulletproof side windows and associated firing ports in the hull.
A Lazanski 8x8 IFV fitted with remote controlled weapon station armed with 57mm gun and 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. (Photo: Christopher Foss)
Serbia (Yugoimport-SDPR) has also completed a prototype of the Lazanski 8x8 infantry fighting vehicle which has a maximum weight of 26-36t which depends on the weapon station and armour package.
Power pack is a Caterpillar C13 diesel developing 711hp coupled to an Allison 4000P six-speed automatic transmission. A height management system fitted as standard.
Ballistic protection is to STANAG 4569 Level 4 but under development is an upgrade to Level 5 and 6, while mine protection is STANAG 4569 Level 4a/4b. Like the Lazar 3M, the Lazanski does not have any firing ports.
Standard equipment includes an inertial navigation system to thwart GPS jamming, a battle management system, air conditioning and CBRN protection. The crew is provided with anti-blast seats.
The first example is fitted with an RCWS armed with a 57mm gun and 7.62mm coaxial MG.
