The Russian Land Force is to receive the newest RKhM-8 chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) reconnaissance vehicle this year, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced this week.
“The Land Force is set to receive more than 1,500 combat vehicles … including the modern RKhM-6 and RKhM-8 CBRN vehicles,” the MoD’s press department said.
The RKhM-8 is the latest Russian CBRN vehicle and is based on the chassis of the AMN-233114 Tigr-M 4×4 armoured utility vehicle. The RKhM-8 was designed by the Tula Plant (JSC Zavod Tula; a subsidiary of Rostec’s holding Roskhimzashchita). It is integrated with an automated command-and-control (C2) system. “The vehicle transfers gathered information via the C2 system and radio link to command posts.”
The vehicle detects gamma radiation sources and radiation directions, and identifies toxic agents in the air, on the field, and on military vehicles.. The RKhM-8 is capable of express identification of biologically pathogenic agents. It would transport other chemically, and radiologically contaminated samples to specialised laboratories, the vehicle has also been fitted with an automatic meteorological sensor.
