A.I. Rimashevsky has been the General Director of the company since 2020.
In 2020, MZKT OJSC produced several military equipment models traditional for the plant’s profile.
At the beginning of the year, the line of tank transporters was supplemented by a new heavy-duty road train consisting of the MZKT-741501 (8x8) truck tractor and the MZKT-720100 semi-trailer having carrying capacity of 52 tons, developed in the interests of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Belarus and intended for transporting heavy tracked vehicles and large-sized cargo on roads of all categories and explored terrain. The MZKT-741501 truck tractor with a fifth wheel load of 23 tons is based on the serially produced MZKT-793000-313 chassis, used as a transport base, modernized by the Polonez-M MLRS. The new vehicle was first presented at the military parade in Minsk on 9 May.
The line of VOLAT light armoured vehicles was supplemented by MZKT-490101 LBA in the export version. The armoured vehicle has undergone significant design changes, both in terms of overall layout, components used, vehicle specifications, and the level of ballistic and mine countermeasures protection. The vehicle was first presented in August at the International Military-Technical Forum ‘Army-2020’ (Russian Federation, KVTS Patriot), and in February 2021 was exhibited at the company's stand at IDEX-2021 international event (UAE, Abu Dhabi).
Another novelty for 2020 was a new 3-axle MZKT-692251 chassis. The chassis is used as a transport base for the wheeled version of the BUK-MB3K SAM system.
In 2021, it was decided to create a vehicle based on MZKT-500200 design, equipping it with right-hand steering wheel. The vehicle was designated MZKT-550130. MZKT-550130 4-axle all-wheel drive truck is designed for transporting personnel and various cargoes. In addition to the ‘right-hand steering’ the main differences from the series-produced MZKT-500200 are: increased payload up to 5 tonnes, Euro-5 ecological class engine, permanently installed winch with increased pulling power up to 7 tonnes, air conditioning. In the same year 2 new modifications were added to the range of tactical trucks MZKT-500200: MZKT-500200-040 (KShM R-142) command and staff vehicle for radio communication and MZKT-500200-050 (special version) - tactical vehicle of sand colour which is manufactured according to individual requirements of a foreign customer.
In continuation of the theme of co-operation with various foreign customers, MZKT-630240-010 ballast tractor was produced in the second half of 2021. A special feature of the 4-axle tractor with 8x4 wheel arrangement is the right-hand steering wheel. The tractor is designed for transporting various large-sized indivisible cargoes as part of a road train. Tractor's curb weight is 14.9 tonnes. Technically permissible towed trailer weight is 76 tonnes.
With the development of the field of electrified transport, a prototype of the medium class electric bus MZKT-420351-183 was created in 2021. This vehicle is based on the serially produced Neman-4202 bus. It is equipped with a 125 kW traction motor with a torque of 650 Nm, which is coupled with a single-stage reduction gearbox of our own design. The electric bus is equipped with 6 Li-ion batteries with a total specific capacity of 277 Ah. The estimated range is 230 kilometres.
However, the most iconic new product for 2021 is the MZKT-690003 armoured personnel carrier (BTR-V2). The BTR-V2 is a completely new development of the plant, taking into account all the latest requirements for modern armoured fighting vehicles. It is a four-wheel drive (8x8) armoured fighting vehicle equipped with water-jet propulsion systems to deliver troops from landing ships to land, forcing rivers and various water obstacles. In addition to transporting personnel to the battlefield, the APC is capable of providing quite serious fire support to airborne units in combat, as well as providing resistance to armoured vehicles.
Later on (2022-2023), the armoured personnel carrier theme evolved into two more modifications, which differ from each other by variants of installed armament.
In 2022, the aforementioned MZKT-500200 range was reflected in three civilian versions of this vehicle. The first model, MZKT-450330-010, is designed for cargo transportation. This model is equipped with a flatbed tilt platform with a folding tailgate and metal flooring. The second model, MZKT-4503KM-010 with a workshop body was created especially for the needs of Belenergo. The vehicle is designed for transporting people and equipment. The workshop body comprises two compartments: passenger and engineering ones. The third model is MZKT-45030A-010. It is a chassis for mounting various equipment weighing up to 4t.
2023 was marked by the resumption of production of Neman buses. Already in 2021 the specialists of the plant initiated the development of a medium class bus on its own chassis. It was decided to start with the commuter version. The bus is equipped with a 185 hp diesel engine and a manual 6-speed gearbox. The cabin has a seating capacity of 29 passengers, with a total passenger capacity of 39. Currently, Neman-420423-501 commuter buses are in demand both in the domestic market and in the market of the Russian Federation. Work is underway to expand the range of Neman buses on its own chassis to include intercity and tourist versions.
In 2023, as a result of joint work of MZKT specialists with key customers and cooperation partners in the oil and gas and construction sectors, a number of new civilian vehicles were produced. Chassis MZKT-750007-010 (10x4), MZKT-750003-030 (8x4) and MZKT-750001-020 (10x10) were created for installation of concrete pumps and various specialised construction equipment, including crane equipment.
For installation of various technological equipment for the oil and gas industry there appeared MZKT-750005-020, MZKT-750005-010 and MZKT-750005-011 all-wheel drive five-axle chassis - depending on the preferences and tasks of customers differing in payload, MZKT-750006-010 (8x8), as well as MZKT-830001-010 is a special all-wheel drive five-axle chassis, the main feature of which is the frame design. It has a so-called aperture (cut) for installation of coiled tubing equipment. The 74 tonne GVW vehicle is capable of transporting equipment weighing more than 50 tonnes.
As part of the development of the Light Armoured Vehicle range, two modifications of the LAV were created in 2023: MZKT-490100-217 and MZKT-490100-317, which differ from each other primarily in the number of seats for the crew, as well as additional equipment installed at the request of customers.
In 2024, the jubilee year for the company, the active development of civil engineering continues. For example, at the beginning of the year, following the results of the contest of the best developments in the field of science and technology of the organisations belonging to the system of the State Military-Industrial Committee, MZKT LLC became the winner in the nomination ‘The best development in the interests of the national economy’.
For the construction industry, MZKT-750003-040 (8x4) and MZKT-650001-010 (6x4) chassis were created, as well as MZKT-740004-010 (10x10/10), a special chassis for the installation of crane equipment with a lifting capacity of 100 tons - have already been created. The chassis has a so-called duck walk, which allows you to easily manoeuvre in cramped construction sites.