Today, March 30, another KrAZ-Spartan vehicle restored by KrAZ workers after bad damage in battle zone went to ATO zone to continue its service. The restored vehicle has been transferred by KrAZ representatives and Kremenchug mayor to Hero of Ukraine, commander of battalion of 95 air mobile brigade of Ground Forces of Ukraine Igor Gerasimenko in solemn atmosphere on the square near city administration. Except careful inspection during acceptance, all the systems have been checked for proper operation when driving the vehicle. Test drive was held on the square and Gerasimenko gave a high mark to KrAZ workers.
This completely crushed vehicle was delivered to the plant facilities in late December 2015 directly from Donetsk airport where fierce fighting was engaged at the moment. Gerasimenko said then: “It was almost KIA, non-recoverable. Spartan windshield was hit by 12,7 and 7,62 fire, the hull was hit by 12,7 and 14,5 projectiles. Armored capsule resisted but running gear was badly damaged.“
Inspection by KrAZ technicians revealed almost 70 damaged parts, dints and absence of many vital systems and units: damaged were front and rear axles, propeller shaft, windshield, front bumper, engine radiator, rear door inner panels, there were punctures in bonnet, wheels, left and right fenders, driver door, windshield visor, turret stand and many other deformations.
The vehicle restoration was funded from budget revenues as part of ATO Units Assistance Program. “AutoKrAZ” met the needs of Kremenchug mayor’s office and restored damaged vehicle on very beneficial terms for the town budget, defraying a large portion of repair costs. Except repair works, efforts have been taken to strengthen vehicle parts and add new components: to extend turret, reinforce beam of front axle and front suspension shock absorbers, mount newly designed air filter, wider tires made by Ukrainian manufacturer Rosava, new rims made at Kremenchug Wheel Plant, air-operated system made at Poltava Brake Components Plant, mass produced KrAZ lights and many other parts.
“Nothing matters more than armor and speed in Spartan. We need this vehicle very much. We have only one such vehicle for the moment but to meet our needs 20 vehicles at least must be in service with our unit. I hope that national powerful vehicles manufactured by KrAZ will be added to our fleet to replace old wheeled Soviet vehicles. I would like to thank KrAZ and Kremenchug residents”, - said Gerasimenko before saying good-bye.
