KAMAZ SBA-60K2 Bulat
Channel: Main Battle Tank
Date: 2023-02-22

As the battlefield has become more mobile, the Russian Army has modernized and equipped with various wheeled vehicles that includes the 4x4 wheeled "BPM-97" (detailed elsewhere on this site) and its lengthened 6x6 wheeled counterpart, the SBA-60K2 "Bulat" - both manufactured by KAMAZ in Russia. The SBA-60K2 harkens back to the Soviet Cold War period when the BTR-152, with its long 6x6 wheelbase, permeated the Soviet inventory from the 1950s onward. Some 15,000 of this design were completed before the end of its production run.

The SBA-60K2 "Bulat" is an all-modern offering, designed along the lines of an Armored Personnel Carrier (APC). The vehicle weighs in between 16 and 19.5 tons depending on mission load out and armament fit and has a running length of 8 meters with a beam of 2.5 meters and a height of 2.6 meters. Internally, there is an operating crew of two with seating for eight combat-ready troops. If armed, the vehicle carries a 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine gun in a Remote Weapon Station (RWS) over the hull roof. The engine is installed at the bow with the driver at front-left.

The chassis is based in the KAMAZ-5360 6x6 wheeled military truck with an all-new angled armored hull superstructure fitted. The hull features entry/exit points at the sides and rear while firing ports are provided for the passengers. The roof line contains six roof hatches. An air conditioning system is standard.

Drive power is from a KamAZ-740.31-240 turbocharged diesel-fueled engine of 240 horsepower coupled to a 6x6 wheeled arrangement. The engine is coupled to a 10-speed manual gearbox. Road speeds can reach up to 90 kmh with an operational range out to 800 kilometers.

While lightly armored, the SBA-60K2 includes several survival features: bullet-resistant windows, a central tire inflation / regulation system, fire suppression system, optional 360-degree camera, and powered winch. The angled armor plates give basic ballistics protection as well while the hull armor is V-shaped to deflect blasts occurring under the car - enhancing crew and passenger survivability to an extent. Mine-resistant seats are also given to the occupants.

Development of the design began in 2010 and series production followed in 2013 and the line takes an active presence in the modern Russian Army. Zaschita assists in the production effort. At least 65 of the vehicles are in service (2020).