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.
| GMZ-3 | |
|---|---|
 GMZ-3 Minelayer | |
| Type | Minelayer |
| Place of origin |  Soviet Union |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Soviet Union (former) Russia Ukraine |
| Wars | War in Donbas |
| 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 |
History
editThe GMZ vehicle type was introduced in the USSR as early as 1968.[2]
Description
editThe 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
editDuring 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
editBTRG-127 Bumblebee
editIn 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
edit.jpg)
Moldova
Russia
Transnistria - Several converted to APC
Ukraine
Former operators
edit
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
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "GMZ-3 Russian Tracked Minelaying Vehicle". odin.tradoc.army.mil. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
- ^ a b "GMZ-3 Russia description". Retrieved 2022-05-04.
- ^ Oryx. "A Forgotten Army: Transnistria's BTRG-127 'Bumblebee' APCs". Oryx. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
- ^ "Transnistria (2018 at the latest-present) Armored Personnel Transporter – At least 3 converted". The Online Tank Museum.
