GMZ-3

GMZ-3
GMZ-3 Minelayer
Type	Minelayer
Place of origin	Soviet Union
Service history
Used by	Soviet Union (former)  Russia  Ukraine
Wars	War in Donbass
Production history
Manufacturer	Uraltransmash Federal State Unitary Enterprise[1]
Specifications
Mass	28.5 tonnes[1]
Length	8.62m[1]
Width	3.25m[1]
Height	2.70m[1]
Crew	3

The GMZ-3 (Russian: ГМЗ-3, Russian: Гусеничный минный заградитель-3, romanized: Gusenichnyi minnyi zagraditel-3 or "Tracked Minelayer-3") is an armoured minelaying vehicle developed for the Engineering Forces of the Soviet Armed Forces. Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, it has seen service in several successor states.

History

The GMZ vehicle type [ru] was introduced in the USSR as early as 1968.^[2]

Description

The GMZ-3 is a tracked minelayer on a GM chassis. The third model was adopted by the USSR Armed Forces in 1984, and is designed for mechanized anti-tank mining during battle. The placement of mines is carried out on the surface of the ground without camouflage or in the ground with camouflage. It has a payload capacity of 208 mines.^[2]

Setting up the minefield

During the establishment of the minefield, cassettes holding four mines of the TM-52, TM-57, TM-62, TM-62PZ or TM-89 types with contact and proximity fuses are fed to the issuing mechanism and further on a release conveyor with a mechanism for transferring mines to a firing position. The plow device with reversed discharges makes it possible to bury and mask mines.

The GMZ-3 provides for the advance installation of minefields in danger zones for tanks, as well as defending against attacks from tanks and mechanized units.

Sub variant

BTRG-127 Bumblebee

In Transnistria at least eight GMZ-3 were inherited from the Soviet army. As there was no need for a minelayer several of these vehicles were converted into armoured personnel carriers. They were first revealed in 2015.^[3] The minelaying equipment was removed and infantry seating installed, and an additional weapon station were added to the roof. The weapon station is normally fitted with a Afanasev A-12.7 12.7 mm aircraft machine gun. It is believed to have room for 8-10 soldiers.^[4]

Current operators

•  Moldova
•  Russia
•  Transnistria - Several converted to APC
•  Ukraine

Former operators

•  Soviet Union
• Russian Federation (1991–93)
•  Donetsk People's Republic - vehicle capped from Ukraine. (People's Republic occupied by Russian, 2023)
•  Luhansk People's Republic - vehicle capped from Ukraine. (People's Republic occupied by Russian, 2023)

Notes and references