KrAZ Cougar
| Cougar | |
|---|---|
 A Cougar at a military exhibition. | |
| Type | Infantry mobility vehicle with MRAP capabilities |
| Place of origin | Ukraine |
| Production history | |
| Designer | KrAZ |
| Designed | Before 2013 |
| Produced | 2014–present |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 6.5 t |
| Crew | 2 + 8 passengers |
| Armor | Steel |
| Engine | Gasoline 218 hp |
| Suspension | 4x4 |
| Maximum speed | 105 km/h |
The Cougar is a 4x4 light infantry mobility vehicle designed by the Ukrainian vehicle manufacturer KrAZ. It is a license-produced copy of a vehicle by the UAE-based STREIT Group company. The KrAZ Cobra is an upgraded version of the Cougar.[1]
History
[edit]The STREIT group vehicle was first unveiled publicly at the IAV 2013 international arms exhibition.[2] In June 2014, the Ukrainian government bought a contract to begin production of the vehicle.[2] In September 2014, Deputy Head of the State Scientific-testing center Armed Forces of Ukraine, Colonel Eduard V. Dmitriev, criticized the Ukrainian government's choice to produce an imported vehicle.[2]
Some time in 2014, production of the Cougar began in Ukraine under the auto manufacturer KrAZ. On December 15 of that year, general director of KrAZ Roman Chernyak stated that the share of Ukrainian-produced components of the Cougar did not exceed 10-15%.[2] By February 2015, that percentage rose to approximately 20%, with other components imported from Japan, Sweden, and the UAE.
In early 2015, KrAZ began the demilitarization of 10 Cougar vehicles for their conversion to armored ambulances. These vehicles were to be used in conflict-ridden areas of Eastern Ukraine to fulfill OSCE tasks aimed at a peaceful resolution of the War in the Donbas.[2]
The first Cougar made completely of Ukrainian components proved to be unfit for service. Any pit or bump would cause the vehicle to stall, and the turret was difficult to rotate quickly.[2] These issues were quickly resolved for subsequent production.
Design
[edit]The Cougar is built on the chassis of the Toyota Land Cruiser 79.[2] The engine is located in the front of the vehicle, with the crew compartment located behind. The crew compartment houses two people in the front (driver and commander) and up to six passengers in the rear compartment.[2][3] The vehicle utilizes a manual 5-speed gearbox.[3] In terms of armor, the Cougar is equipped with CEN level BR6 ballistic protection, as well as bulletproof glass.[3] In addition to bulletproof glass, the windows can also be fitted with shrapnel-resistant grilles.[2]
The KrAZ Cobra is an upgraded variant of the Cougar, with improved armor and more advanced internal systems.[1]
Armament
[edit]The KrAZ Cougar can be fitted with a variety of weapons in the roof-mounted turret. The standard armament is a 12.7mm PKT machine gun along with a 40mm automatic grenade launcher.[2][3] A number of remote weapons stations can also be equipped.[3]
Service history
[edit]
The KrAZ Cougar entered service with the Ukrainian National Guard in 2014. Soon afterwards, the vehicle was deployed to Eastern Ukraine following the outbreak of the Donbas War. Many of the vehicles proved to be ambush-resistant, and were popular with their users. In December 2014, a Cougar saved the lives of its crew after an IED attack.[4] The vehicle continued to serve through the 2022 Russian Invasion.[2]
During a parade on May 17, 2017, at least two KrAZ Cougar vehicles were seen in service with the Libyan National Army.[5][6]
In 2023, a single captured Ukrainian Cougar was seen being used by Belarusian forces during training exercises.[7]
Operators
[edit]
Ukraine (at least 19 Cougars and Cobras + 1 destroyed in 2014)
Libya (at least 2 Cougars)[6]
Belarus (1 Cobra)[7]
Gallery
[edit]-
Front view. -
Side view. -
Rear view. -
Interior view. -
Cougar fitted with AGL.
Sources
[edit]- ^ a b "Kraz Cobra". MilitaryLand.net. October 15, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "KrAZ Cougar". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "KrAZ Cougar". spetstechnoexport.com. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
- ^ office_zzam. "Streit Group Cougar APC save lives of Ukrainian soldiers after improvi". armyrecognition.com. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
- ^ Jeremy Binnie (May 18, 2017). "Streit/KrAZ Cougar light armored vehicles seen in Libyan National Army (LNA) parade yesterday". X (formerly Twitter). Archived from the original on May 27, 2025. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
- ^ a b "Streit/KrAZ Cougar light armored vehicles seen in Libyan National Army (LNA) parade yesterday". Libya live map. Libya civil war news today - libya.liveuamap.com. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
- ^ a b Malyasov, Dylan (September 28, 2023). "Ukrainian armored vehicle spotted in Belarus". defence-blog.com. Retrieved July 11, 2025.