ADG Mobility has over the past couple of months tested 4×4 and 6×6 version of the URAL Next range of trucks at the Gerotek Vehicle Test Facility.
Thes vehicles were imported to penetrate the local commercial and military market in South Africa and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. URAL trucks are already in use by the militaries Namibia, Angola and Mozambique, amongst others. Spares and maintenance facilities are readily available in these countries and will be established in South Africa, ADG Mobility said.
The URAL Next series of trucks are the latest versions of URAL trucks that have been in service with Soviet-aligned countries since the early 1960s. A number were captured in Angola during the Bush War with one being exhibited at the SA Museum of Military History in Johannesburg.
The URAL Next is a completely new design with the modern cab being the most obvious change. The load carrying capability of the 4×4 is 5 635 kg and 10 500 kg for the 6×6. Both vehicles have a maximum speed of 85 km/h and with a CTIS (Central Tyre Inflation System) system fitted as standard have good operational and tactical mobility, ADG Mobility said.
Amongst the improvements made to the previous models are the fitment of a ZF gearbox, an air-conditioner and a WABCO pneumatic brake system with ABS as standard. The 4×4 and 6×6 are fitted with 177 kW and 236 kW turbo charged diesel engines respectively, and 14.00R20 tyres with optional runflat inserts. Maintenance is at 15 000 km intervals and a 100 000 km or 24-month warranty is provided.
The two vehicles at ADG Mobility will be subjected to further tests and demonstrations to various interested parties in South Africa and other SADC countries. A protected cab offering high ballistic, landmine and improvised explosive device (IED) protection is under development and will be fully certified by accredited third parties, before offering the cab as an optional extra of the URAL Next family of vehicles, ADG Mobility said.
The URAL 6×6 is also the basis for the URAL TAIFUN mine-resistant, ambush protected (MRAP) vehicle, in use by the Russian military.
ADG Mobility was formed in January 2017 by the founding members, senior management and engineers of Land Mobility Technologies (LMT) to focus solely on development and in-country production for international clients.
Its aim is to focus on the design, development and manufacturing of protected mobility solutions and support equipment, with the emphasis on 4×4, 6×6 and 8×8 vehicles with high mobility and extreme levels of landmine, IED and ballistic protection. It also offers industrialisation and production solutions, setting up vehicle production factories in country.
