Cayman (MBTS Kayman) is a new 4×4 armoured reconnaissance vehicle developed by JSC ‘140 repair plant’ for the Armed Forces of Belarus. The vehicle can be used in reconnaissance and sabotage missions, patrol, escort, peace-keeping and police operations, as well as in emergency response missions. The Caiman 4×4 armored vehicle is based on the Soviet-made BRDM-2 4×4 reconnaissance vehicle designed in Belarus by engineers of the of “140th Repair Plant”. The Cayman consists of a new design completely different compared to the old BRDM-2 and that very close to the design of the German-made Fennek 4×4 reconnaissance vehicle in service with the German and the Dutch army.
The Cayman offers more protection against mine blast explosion using a V-hull design to o increase vehicle and crew survivability by deflecting an upward directed blast from a landmine or IED Improvised Explosive Device away from the vehicle, while also presenting a sloped armor face. The forward hull of the vehicle offers STANAG 4569 Level 2 protection. It protects the crew from 7.62mm rounds fired from a sniper rifle, while the sides offer protection against 5.45mm and 7.62mm rounds. With this type of armour , the Cayman will offer superior protection compared to the BTR-80 8×8 armoured personnel carrier.
The vehicle can be armed with a range of weapon stations and armament according to the requirements of the customers. The roof of the vehicle can be fitted with a ring mount weapon station which can be armed with a7.62mm Kalashnikov PKMB medium machine gun a 12.7mm NSV Utyos heavy machine gun, or a 30mm AGS-17 Plamya automatic grenade launcher. There is also three smoke grenade launcher and storage basket on each side of the vehicle. The weapon mount is surrounded by an armoured shield, which protects the gunner against splinters and small-calibre rounds. Three smoke grenade launchers are fixed on either side of the vehicle.
The Cayman is fully amphibious and propelled in the water thanks to two propellers mounted at the rear of the hull. The vehicle can swim in the water without any preparation as the propellers can be activated on the move by the toggle switch within the crew cab. The top of the vehicle can be fitted with different type of weapon station and armament according the customer requirements. The Caiman is motorized with a D-245.30E2 diesel engine developing 170 hp. coupled to a five speed manual gearbox. The vehicle can run at a maximum road speed of 100 km and has a maximum cruising range of 1,000 km.
