GAZ 2330 Tigr (2005)

Russia (2005) - c3,000 built, current

The Tigr (Тигр) is a Russian 4×4 infantry mobility vehicle from the Military Industrial Co. delivered to the Russian Army from 2006. Dubbed the "Russian Hummer", it is used by the Russian Armed Forces and Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, also exported to other countries. It could be either armoured (GAZ-2330) and unarmoured and is declined into multiple variants.

Development of the GAZ Tigr

For context, when USSR collapsed in 1991, there was a very impressive park of armored wheeled vehicle, including 4x4 like the BRDM-1 and BRDM-2. The change of regime ended further developments. In the early 1990s, the new Russian expressed the need for a small 4x4 that could be optionally armoured as a general purpose mobility vehicle. The softskin range was already covered by the UAZ-469, but it was never designed to be armoured. One inspiration was the US Army HMMVW prominent in the gulf war, which could be also optionally armoured, as shown by operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Army staff wanted a fast troop transport or for various equipment with good off-road performances, simple enough for training, maintenance and mass production, and with optional protection. The vehicle could be also both a replacement for the BRDM-2 and UAZ-469. However finances were lacking in the mid-1990s and this never went off the ground.

Instead, the solution came not from the state, but from a private group and export customer. A new multi-purpose vehicle was asked for by the UAE through Bin Jabr Group Ltd, for a Prototype made in Russia, tailored for UE army needs. They allocated US$60 million for the development and production of prototypes, with a primary contractor and coordinator being the Industrial Computer Technologies (ICT), a subsidiary of the Gorky Automobile Plant (OAO GAZ). Chief designer was Alexander Korshunov. Testing started at the Research Center for Automotive Engineering, 3rd Central Research Institute, Russian MoD, Moscow Oblast. The first three prototypes were designated "Tiger HMTV". One was armored, it was presented at Abu Dhabi IDEX-2001 Defense Exhibition. Bin Jabr Group Ltd came to see it but ultimately the UAE declined to go further and terminated the contract, ambeit BJG retained the rights to the vehicle. The UAE would start production of the near-identical Nimr ("Tiger") from June 2005...

Back in Russia, GAZ retook the rights and resumed development. By decision of the GAZ director, three vehicles testing various configurations would be assmbled and tested in 2002, making for a second serie, including:
-An armored three-door body, partially opened
-An unarmored two-door body with fully covered hull
-An unarmored four-door body, fully covered.
Each had a different exterior and interior and internally they were designated the GAZ-2975 "Tigr". They were showcased at MIMS-2002. Two prototypes were delivered to the Moscow Special Rapid Response Unit for trials. Later in 2002, the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs expressed interest and ordered a limited production, setup at the Arzamas Machine-Building Plant (AMZ) in 2005. It is still responsible for all version of the vehicle, replacing Gorky Automobile Plant, that made the prototype until March 2001.

The following armoured models were then gradually mass-produced at AMZ PJSC (part of Military Industrial Company LLC):

GAZ-233034 SPM-1 Tigr, ballistic protection class 3;
GAZ-233036 SPM-2 Tigr, ballistic protection class 5;
GAZ-233014 STS Tigr, special-purpose vehicle, ballistic protection class 3;
GAZ-233001 Tigr — all-terrain vehicle, unarmored, 5-door body.

China later purchased the licence and started it at the Beijing Yanjin Automobile Factory. However the project evolved and by December 2021, state trials of the "Atlet", of the same class as the Tigr ended with a positive note. This likely soon end current orders for the latest types of the Tigr and gradual transition by some operators in the future.

Short Presentation

Interior at Interpolitex 2010

The GAZ-2330 Tigr light utility vehicle had its development completed for military and civilian markets. The GAZ-2975 is the proper military version and denotes a strong resemblance to US HMMWV, based on what the UAE wanted for itself. There were many conceptual differences between the two. Originally a subsidiary of the GAZ company was received an order from an Emirati company to develop a Nimr (Arabic for tiger) high mobility vehicle. Prototypes of the Nimr were revealed in the early 2000s. However soon after that the Emirati company stopped cooperation with the Russian company. Further development of the Nimr was carried out in the United Arab Emirates, however the GAZ retained blueprints of the tactical vehicle and continued development.

First prototypes of the Tigr were revealed in 2002. Production commenced in 2005. Currently it is in service with the Russian Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Internal Affairs. These vehicles are used to deploy rapid-reaction teams, escort convoys, conduct patrols. By 2010 just over 350 of these vehicles were delivered. However today it is estimated that more than 700 Tigr vehicles are in service with Russia.

The GAZ Tigr is simple in design and technology. It is about the same size as the HMMWV. This utility vehicle has a payload capacity of 1 500 kg. It fits the gap between light utility vehicles and light trucks. The Tigr is available with various body styles - passenger, armored, cargo. It can be tailored to suit various mission requirements. The standard version of the Tigr high-mobility vehicle provides seating for driver and 11 passengers. Other configurations accommodate 1+3, 2+4 or 2+7 soldiers. This vehicle is available with 2- or 4-door configurations, plus the rear hatch. There are some specialized versions of this vehicle, such as an anti-tank missile carrier. A 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine gun, or alternatively a 30 mm automatic grenade launcher, can be mounted on top of the roof. There is also a roof hatch.

An armored version of the Tigr is available. It has welded 5 mm armor plates and is also fitted with a spall liner. Two protection levels are available. Vehicle's armor provides protection against small arms fire, artillery shell splinters and IEDs. Armored version is 700 kg heavier, than the standard Tigr. The GAZ Tigr is available with Cummins B-180 (5.9-liter, 180 hp), Cummins B-214 (5.9-liter, 215 hp) or GAZ-562 (3.2-liter, 197 hp) turbocharged diesel engine.

It seems that other engines are also available. This vehicle is proposed with manual or automatic transmissions. The Tigr uses some proven automotive components of the BTR-80 APC and GAZ Vodnik light utility vehicle. This vehicle has a full-time all-wheel-drive. It is fitted with a central tyre inflation system. A tyre pressure is adapted to suit various terrain conditions. This military truck has an engine pre-heater, which allows to start the engine, when the temperature is as low as -50°C. A 4 000 kg capacity self-recovery winch is fitted as an option. Archived from mil-today.com 2022.

Chronology

GAZ-SP46 at April 9th rehearsal Alabino 2014, V-Day Parade

2001: The Tigr is first shown at IDEX exhibition.
2004: Pilot production starts, with 96 vehicles orders by civilian authorities
2006: The GAZ-2975 enters service with the Army.
2007: Mass manufacturing commences at Arazamas.
2008: China co-produced it without licence: 110 delivered 2008-2010 for the Chinese Public Security police.
August 2008: MVSV-2008 reports 100+ YJ2080C and YJ2081C are assembled by Beijing Yanjing Motor Com.
2010: At Interpolitex, MIC presents the upgraded VPK-233114 Tigr-M (YaMZ-534 diesel, ads-on armour, NBC) 2011: Rosoboronexport offers Azerbaijan to create a licensed production
2013: The Tigr-M enters service with the Russian army. Mass production and export version with 205 hp engine presented.
2014: Tigr reported deployed by Russia during the annexation of Crimea.
March 2015: OSCE inspectors spotts a Tigr guarding a DPR Checkpoint, close to Shyrokyne, east of Mariupol.
April-May 2015: The Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant unveiled the Lis-PM variant from VPK-233136 kits, mostly made in Belarus.
Late 2015: Tigr are used by the Syrian Army against the rebels
November 2016: BYMC (China) announced a foreign sale of 177 YJ2080s, first export order.
January 2017: Tigr-Ms enters service with the Russian Army with the Arbalet-DM RWS.
January 2017: Corvus Slovakia receives rights to manufacture and sell the Tigr.
2018: Streit Group obtains the rights to manufacture the Tigr as the "Falcon" at AAD-2018 exhibition.
May 2020: Exports conformed to 16 states, 2,000+ vehicles built in various configurations
July 2023: The Russian MoD Sergey Shoigu states that supplies of Tigr-M by Arzamas were doubled.
2022 invasion of Ukraine to 2026: Tigr heavily used, some with the Arbalet-DM RWS. Some captured.
Army 2022 event: Specialized andt-drone variant announced at the 8th Russian military technical forum
2025: The new VPK-23136 starts limited production as a potential replacement for the Tigr.

Design of the GAZ Tigr

General Layout

The Tigr has a chassis frame construction, with a traditional layout, front engine, middle crew compartment, rear cargo area (500 kgs payload). In standard, it has power steering, independent all-wheel torsion suspension with hydraulic shock absorbers, stabilizer bars, transfer case with locking center differential, limited slip differentials, two-speed transfer case, automatic tire inflation, engine block heater, and electric winch. The more advanced and export GAZ-233001 has optional air conditioning with stereo, electric windows and anti-lock braking system

Like the HMMVW, not all versions are armoured. It's the case notably or police and some special forces versions. The military versions are all armoured and in that case, the Tigr feature 5 mm (0.20 in) (7 mm (0.28 in) for the SPM-2, with heat-treated and stress-relieved armor plates. For the GAZ-M add-on armour modules were unveiled, with a ballistic protection class 3 or 5. The transmission is from GAZ, but for export, the vehicle could receive the Allison LCT-1000 automatic gearbox or the Chrysler 545RFE automatic 5-speed manual gearbox.

The export variant has the following engines:
-Cummins 5.9 L (360 cu in) B180 turbodiesel rated for 180 hp (130 kW)
-Cummins 5.9 L (360 cu in) B205 turbodiesel rated for 180 hp (130 kW)
-Cummins 5.9 L (360 cu in) B-214 turbodiesel rated for 215 hp (160 kW)
The Russian variants are given the GAZ-562 3.2 L (200 cu in) turbodiesel rated for 197 hp (147 kW) or the YaMZ-5347-10 4.43 L 4 cylinder turbodiesel, also 215 hp (158 kW).
The Tigr was tested for all environments, mountain, arctic, desert and in ambient temperatures ranging from −14–50 °C (7–122 °F). Its approach and departure angles are of 52 degrees, with a wading depth of 1.2 m (3.9 ft).

Armament

Atbalet RWS: Can hold a Kord 12.7 mm machine gun carrying 150 rounds of ammunition or a PKTM 7.62 mm machine gun carrying 250 rounds. The module has TV and thermal imaging cameras allowing target identification out to 2.5 km and 1.5 km respectively, an integral laser rangefinder, and the ability to lock on and track targets.

Specifications
Dimensions (L-w-h)	5.67 x 2.2 x 2 m (18.6 x 7.2 x 6.6 ft)
Weight	7,200 kg (15,900 lb)
Crew	2+9-11 depending on versions
Propulsion	YaMZ-5347-10 4.43 L4 cyl. TD 215 hp (158 kW)
Transmission
Speed	140 kph road, 80 kph off road
Range (on flat)	1,000 km (620 mi)
Armament	Light MG, grenade launcher, see notes.
Armor	Optional 5 mm+ add-on
Production	Current: +3,000 vehicles

Variants

GAZ-2975

GAZ-2975-A proto (unarmored) 3-door station wagon sport utility:
-GAZ-29751 — 3—door wagon
-GAZ 29752 — 5-door wagon, 4 seats, 500-1000 kgs cargo
-GAZ-297533 — 2—door, tilt covered load platform.

GAZ-2330 standard unarmoured

-GAZ-2330 SUV 2/3-door
-GAZ-23304 5-door wagon, rear hinged doors
-GAZ-233001/GAZ-233011 4-door pickup truck
-GAZ-233002/GAZ-233012 2-door pickup truck
-GAZ-233003/GAZ-233013 3-door SUV with sedan body and undivided/divided interior

Tigr-2 (2006)

Experimental rebodied civilian SUV presented at the Moscow Motor Show. Small series from 2008, 2009, two trim levels-luxury and regular. Steyr turbodiesel 190 hp (140 kW)/6-cyl. Cummins B205 205 hp (153 kW) capable of 160 km/h (99 mph), weight 3,500 kg (7,700 lb) cons. 15 L/100 km. 5.7 m x 2.3 m, 330 mm (1.08 ft) GC. $270,000/17,600,000 rubles.

SP46 (2007)

SP46 in 2010 Moscow Victory Day Parade in St. Petersburg.

Ceremonial parade variant, 2-door convertible with removable roof. 2 seats in front, 1 in the back for VIP, luxury features. Automatic Allison 1000 series transmission, Cummins B205 turbodiesel. Weight 4,750 kg (10,470 lb) no armour. Prototype presented in November 2008 to MoD Anatoly Serdyukov. 3 vehicles ordered for Victory Day parade May 9, 2009 St. Petersburg, 64th anniversary WW2 victory.

STS

2-part opening and rotating cupola on the roof for a heavy machine gun or grenade launcher. Pistol ports on windows, optional. Grenade launcher, communication equipment and jammers. Sheathed hull with anti-splinter coating with aramid fiber. 4-stroke turbocharged diesel Cummins B 205. Used by the General Staff from March 2007. Seen in Crimea by 2014.

SPM-1

Zubr SPM-1 OMON

Special police car SPM-1 Tigr, used by the Russian Interior Ministry (OMON) for counter-terrorism, territorial defense. Armoured, IEC 50963-96 Class 3 side/rear protection, Class 5 frontal protection GOST P 50963-96 like STANAG 4569. 7 crew inc. driver. Pistol Ports between windows. Later had ports in armored glass. Roof automatic gun carriage, radio signal jamming equipment.

SPM-1 AAV

Abaim-Abanat special police assault vehicle based on SPM-1 Tigr vehicle with a folding ramp, or remote-control hydraulic ladder system to provide access to 2n, 3rd floors of buildings and aircraft.

SPM-2 "Tigr-Alpha-BB"

Special Police Vehicle SPM-2: SPM-1 with GOST 50963-965 level 5 ballistic protection all around and two additional glass hatches on the roof to fire personal weapons in urban environments.

R-145BMA

Command center for special operations and crisis, like SPM-2 but with extensive communications equipment.

Kornet-D (2011)

Tigr Kornet-EM at MAKS 2011

First showcased hy the Tula Instrument Design Bureau as a vehocle equipped with the Kornet-EM antitank missile system. Two mounted on a modified SPM-2 Tigr. Two retractable launchers for 8 missiles, remote weapons control with internal displays and IR sight. 8 additional missiles in storage. Tested at Kapustin-Yar. The Kornet-D shuld replace the much heavier 9P148 Kornet carrier. Deliveries started in 2015.

"Project 420"

Early 2010, improved armored Tigr with a 420-horsepower 5.9 litres (360.0 cu in) Cummins ISB/Chrysler 545RFE auto transmission from a Dodge Ram pickup. Additional air intake on the bonnet, enlarged brakes; better accelerations and top speed 160 km/h (99 mph).

Tigr-M

Tigr-M presented at the AMZ plant

Unveiled at the 2010 Interpolitex exhibition ("Modernizirovanniy"). Factory name AMN 233114. Presented by the Military Industrial Co. with a YaMZ-534 diesel, new armored hood, new air filter installation, and a 9 passengers capacity with a large square hatch. Still mass-produced for the Russian Army. Some features the Arbalet-DM RWS with a 12.7mm Kord or 7.62mm PKTM. Further upgrades were presented at Army 2018 in Kubinka based on combat experience in Syria as the ASN 233115 Tigr-M SpN. Six suspended seats, traverse platform on roof for more weapons, better stowage compartments. An anti-drone module was presented at the Army-2022 forum.

Tigr-6A/SPV

The prototype STS "Tigr" SPV was presented on June 10, 2011 at Bronnitsi Armoured Vehicles Show. Based on the SPM-2 as VIP transport, 4-door station wagon body with GOST 6A armor protection with mine protection, special shock-absorbing seats and footrests. Roof with a large rotating hatch and brackets for multiple weapons. Pistol ports in armored glass, doors and sides, stowage of ammunition, notably the RPG-26, radio station and others item. Tests were performed in November 2012.

MKTK REI PP

Leer 2 exhibited at Open Sky 2018

The vehicle is part of the Leer-2 (VPK-233114) system. Called the "Mobile Electronic Warfare system EW vehicle" base don the Tigr-M sporting the Leer-2 electronic countermeasures system.

Tigr VSHORAD (2014)

Self-Propelled Very Short-Range Air Defence (VSHORAD) System. 1L122E radar to follow 15 aerial targets per second and for target assessment for with MANPADS infantry. 5 minutes deployments, tested -50 to +60 degrees C (-58 to 132 F). First proto in May 2014. Not produced.

Gibka-S (2017)

Gibka-S SPAAML

AA Tigr variant with four Igla-S or 9K333 Verba MANPADS tubes on a retractable launching station. Tests started on January 2017, state tests completed in December 2019. Export version ready in 2021. eliveries to the Russian Army in 2022. In production.

Others

Belarusian Lis-PM

-Tigr Armored ambulance by BNK with a raised roof.
-Right-hand drive variant for those countries -Special Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (optical, thermal imaging, radar, acoustic, seismic equipment).
-Psychological Operations Vehicle (audio/video broadcasting equipment).
-Remote-Controlled Vehicle VPK-233115 Tigr-M SPN
-ASN-233115 Tigr-M SpN Light utility vehicle (LUV) for the SPETSNAZ
-Belarusian MZKT–233036 Lis-PM at Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant 7.5 t, 8 soldiers, NSVT Utyos 12.7 mm HMG
-Tigr Shershen ATGM, 2-barreled.

Chinese variants

Yuchai YC V6 300 diesel engines all:
The Yanjing Guardian was declined into the YJ2081A Command Car Vehicle (4 doors, winch mounted), YJ2081B Recon Vehicle, YJ2081C Protected Assault Vehicle (RWS mount) and YJ2120D Protection Logistic Support Vehicle, 6×6 with a load handling system.
Yanjing Defender: Declined into the YJ2080B Recon Vehicle, YJ2080C1 Anti-Riot Vehicle, YJ2080C Protected Assault Vehicle, YJ2080C Missile Launcher Vehicle.

Emirati/Egyptian variants

Falcon, by STREIT Group, unveiled at the AAD 2018 and EDEX 2018. 5.7 metres long, 2.33 metres wide, 2.4 metres high, payload of 1,5t. 7.62 or 12.7 mm MG/automatic grenade launcher. Ballistic armour CEN Level BR6, BR7, landmine protection STANAG Level 2. Powered by a Cummins ISB 6.7 litre diesel 385 hp for 125–140 km/h.

Slovakian variants

Corvus Slovakia s.r.o produced the same baseline vehicles than in Russia

VPK-3927 Volk

VPK-233136 Volk at Armiya 2020

VPK-3927 Volk with APC module, 3 prototypes showed in 2010 at Zhukovsky as a 4×4 (MIC-3927) or 6×6 (MIC-39273) with Class 6A to GOST 50963-96 and mine protection STANAG Level 2a/2b.

NIMR

After BJG cancelled the contract with PKT, it continued development based on the technical documentation, and further modified the three prototypes presented at Abu Dhabi. Advanced Industries of Arabia (AIA, 80% of shares in BJG) was created at Al-Dulaila, Jordan with KADDB in a joint venture by June 2005. The company since then manufactured 500 Nimr in four different versions in cluing a 6x6 with a 5 tons payload. In common they have the MTU 6R 106 engine 325 hp. Allison LCT 1000 Gbx, new armored body, spring wheel suspension. The Base version Nimr was presented at IDEX-2005. A partnership was signed with Vectra Group for a production in India but nothing came out of it yet. The Nimr II was presented at IDEX-2007 as a further development with all-round ballistic protection to level 3 B6 STANAG 4569, basic mine protection (6 kg), 350 hp engine, lifting power 2.5 tons.

Export and Service

Armenian Tigr

Algeria: 28 Kornet EM variants

Armenian Army. Unknown numbers.

Tigr-M: Belarusian special forces units, internal Troops, licence for more.

Chadian military (reported)

China: 110 YJ2080 Sentinel (2008-2010), Ministry of Public Security.

Congolese National Police a Congolese military (parade August 15, 2022).

3 Tigrs purchased, Guinean Presidential Guard 2011.

Kazakhstan Army, unknown numbers.

55 purchased for the Kyrgiz Border Service in March 2022

Libyan Army, as reported.

Mongolia: Special police units

Nixaragua: Signed 2012, unknown number delivered.

Russia: 2,000 Purchased until 2012 but later resumed*.

Slovak Police Force, licence to Corvus Slovakiain 2016

Tajikistan army as reported

Ukraine: 19 December 2024: 8+ 29Ms ex-Russian.

3 Tigr delivered to the Uruguayan Republican Guard**, April 2011 ($600,000).

Uzbekistan: VPK-233136 Tigr purchased with PKMs from June 2019.

Used by the Yemeni Republican Guard

35 used by the Zambian Army

1 evaluated by the Military Police of Rio de Janeiro State, September 2010 until March 2011.

India: 2 Tigr ordered for field tests in 2008. The Nimr was also tested.
*2,000 delivered so far. Discontinued in 2012 for the Wolf (Volk), later resumed, 500 in service by 2011, 20 Tigr-Ms with Arbalet-DM combat module delivered in 2016. Used also by the Russian Naval Infantry, airborne forces operates the Tigr-Ms, 175 delivered 2018–19. 8 Tigr, 29 Tigr-Ms confirmed captured from the Russian Army since the 2022 invasion. **The Uruguayan Tigrs are equipped with bull bars, air conditioning, window grilles and a video surveillance system. 10 Tigr confirmed by late 2017.