Georgian produced tracked infantry fighting vehicle Lazika. Photo taken from the Georgian President’s official Facebook page
Posted on 02/27/2012 4:06:15 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
Georgia Presents its Infantry Fighting Vehicle 'Lazika'
President Saakashvili attended a presentation of first-ever Georgian produced infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), Lazika, in the Vaziani military base outside Tbilisi on February 25.
“Lazika is equipped with remotely controlled weapon module and fire control system. It is armed with 23-mm cannon and 7.62-mm machine-gun. Its day/night thermal sighting system makes [IFV] capable to control fire, detect and locate targets in any weather conditions,” the president’s administration said in a statement.
Defense Minister Bacho Akhalaia told President Saakashvili that the IFV was currently undergoing “the last stage of testing.”
He said that the 14-tonne IFV had an operational range of 200 kilometers, but was also capable to carry additional fuel tanks extending its operational range to 400 kilometers.
According to the Defense Ministry the IFV has armor providing protection from 14.5-mm caliber armor-penetrating bullets.
“This is the new level of development, because very few countries are capable to produce tracked fighting vehicles,” Saakashvili said.
He also said that the new IFV had an export potential. “Yes we need and we plan to commission it [for the Georgian armed forces] in large quantities, but it is also something that is sold on the world markets easily,” Saakashvili added.
IFV Lazika was developed by research center Delta of the Georgian Ministry of Defense. Akhalaia said that the center had been working on its development for past two years.
“We have accomplished this task [to produce IFV] and it means that we will be able to further develop this direction [military industry],” he told journalists.
Delta research center also developed two types of Didgori light wheeled armored patrol vehicles, which were first presented during the Independence Day parade on May 26, 2011 – Didgori 1 with multi-barrel heavy machine gun, Minigun, capable of carrying nine personnel and Didgori 2 with 12.7 caliber machine gun.
The authorities apparently timed public presentation of the Georgian-produced IFV – February 25 - to coincide with the Day of Soviet Occupation, commemorating events of ninety one years ago when the Bolshevik’s Red Army took over Tbilisi.
Georgian produced tracked infantry fighting vehicle Lazika. Photo taken from the Georgian President’s official Facebook page
Looks like the M-113 APC painted blue...
I would imagine though the thermal is useless in a blizzard.
we should defund all the muzzies and supply Georgia
M-113
Damn, that looks very 1970’s.
But I must cut them slack. This is Georgia, the country, and they aren’t exactly bleeding-edge.
Maybe they could use these to keep the Damn Yankees from going south down I-75.
Oops, wrong Georgia.
Oh, with that leader, they will be soon enough. Bleeding.
They are going to need some heavier weapons than a new IVF to fend off the Russians
Nope - upgraded russian BMP.
Military fashions change, though. And this baby is like showing up at the drag races in your Mom's Dodge Caravan. The terminology isn't Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) anymore. It's IFV-- Infantry Fighting Vehicle. Carry a squad, take out tanks, leap tall bunkers in a single bound ... unless some worthy oriental gentleman with an RPG shows up behind you in the bushes, that is, turning your spiffy IFV into a mifty toaster. Or an IED blows you across town, minus a limb or two.
HUMV, Bradley, M-113, Toyota pick-up, Marine LAV, 6X6 ... the military buy-here-pay-here lot is just full of options...all of'em with a problem or two.
Shapes more like an M 114, the scout vehicle with the 283 Chevy engine.
Exactly what I was thinking.
it is.
;-)
With apologies to Georgians but that IFV looks so retro. Wouldn’t it have been easier to buy an IFV from the dozen or more countries that produce one?
Looks like it can take and dish out more punishment than a Stryker, and they sure as hell don’t have to worry about an enemy armed with a bucket of roofing nails either.
It’s the “LAZ””!! Check it out man, they’ve gone and made a real ‘’hitter’’ and named it after you!
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