MZKT

Industry Heavy trucks
Headquarters Minsk, Belarus
Website www.mzkt.by
MZKT entrance building

MZKT (МЗКТ or МЗКЦ, Belarusian: Мінскі завод колавых цягачоў, Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant (MWTP)) is a manufacturer of heavy off-road vehicles, especially military trucks, based in Minsk, in Belarus;[1] it was formerly a division of MAZ. MZKT civilian trucks are branded VOLAT (Belarusian: волат, literally means Giant).

Organisation

In 1954, MZKT, the Minsk Wheeled Tractor Plant, was founded to develop artillery tractors; it then developed a series of heavy weapons transporters for the military of the USSR, including heavy offroad trucks such as the MAZ-537 and MAZ-7310.[2] It was a division of Minsk Automobile Plant (known as MAZ). The name in Russian is "Минский завод колёсных тягачей"; this is abbreviated MZKT in English. In 1991, MZKT was spun off into a separate company; its former parent, MAZ, continues to make a broader range of heavy vehicles.[3]

In 1992, military orders slowed, and MZKT attempted to adapt its products to civilian uses, such as mining trucks and crane carriers.

Products

Many post-independence MZKT trucks continued to use a MAZ cab which resembled the Iveco Turbostar cab;[4] starting in 2010 these were replaced with Belkarplastik cabs, which are also used by Yarovit trucks.[5]

MZKT-6922

MZKT-6922 Tor

MZKT-6922, used with Tor and other surface-to-air missile systems.[6]

MZKT-79221

MZKT-79221
Dmitry Medvedev standint at MZKT-79221 Topol-M

MZKT-7930

MZKT-7930 with 9K720 Iskander

The MZKT-7930 „Astrolog" is carrying the Iskander ballistic missiles,[8] and the Pantsir-S1 air defense system, and radars for the S-300 missile system.

MZKT-74135/74295

MZKT-74135 transporting a T-72
MZKT-74295 transporting a BMP-2

MZKT-74135 8x8 tank transporter[9]

WS2400

Main article: WS2400

Some trucks made by Wanshan Special Vehicle, in China, are based on MZKT designs; the WS2400 is based on the MAZ-543.[10]

Civilian vehicles


See also

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to MZKT vehicles.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Go-anywhere, do-anything MZKT/VOLAT specialist trucks on Biglorryblog. Magnificent monster machines from Minsk! - Biglorryblog". 22 March 2009. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
  2. ↑ "VOLAT - Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant". Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  3. ↑ "Minsk Wheeled Tractor Plant (MZKT)". Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  4. ↑ "Biglorryblog and who used the old Iveco TurboStar cab....? The Brochure King rides to the rescue! - Biglorryblog". 23 March 2009. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
  5. ↑ "MZKT - 700650 (Commercial vehicles)". 2010. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  6. ↑ "Point Defence System Vehicles". May 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  7. ↑ "Mighty MAZ and MZKT 12x12 missile carriers...or should that be tippers? Only Vladimir could deliver such behemoths to Biglorryblog". 22 May 2008. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
  8. ↑ "Iskander (SS-26 Stone) Short-Range Ballistic Missile". Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  9. ↑ "MZKT-74135 Tank Transporter". Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  10. ↑ "Wanshan WS2400 (8 x 8) heavy-duty off-road vehicle (China) - Jane's Military Vehicles and Logistics". Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  11. ↑ "Monster MZKT oilfield truck! Vladimir is back on Biglorryblog with a real bang! - Biglorryblog". 21 January 2009. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
  12. ↑ "Big Russian oilfield trucks...the mighty MZKT makes a welcome return to Biglorryblog thanks to Vladimir!". 13 February 2008. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
  13. ↑ "More mighty MZKT Russian trucks on Biglorryblog. And how much scow end do you need?". 26 December 2007. Retrieved 29 August 2012.