Author: www.tatra.cz|Caption: Tatra T-815 7T3R41 8x8.1R
The Ministry of Defence informed the Governement on a commission of 31 Armoured Container Carriers by Tatra Trucks between 2019 and 2021, with an option to acquire another 30 vehicles in 2022–2024, for a total price of CZK 760 million (USD 34 million, VAT excluded). The Army already operates 12 TATRA T-815 8x8 7 MSH-165-SCA container carriers, procured in 2015 and delivered in 2017.
The logistic companies of the mechanized battalions (41st, 42nd, 71st and 72nd) have 7 container carriers each, other vehicles serve with the The 14th Logistic Support Regiment, etc. Between 1995 and 2007 the Army purchased more than 200 Tatra 815-2 Multilift Mk.IV container carriers, predecessors to the T-815 8x8 7 MSH-165-SCA type.
See also: Czech Army’s Modernization Projects: Wheeled Command Post Vehicles
The prototype of the new vehicle was produced in 2008, and so far more than 35 vehicles were made. Since 2016 they are equiped with the KAPA armoured cabin, providing protection against biological and chemical weapons. The vehicle is built on the Tatra T-815-7T3R41 8x8.1R chassis. The curb weight is 17,700 kg, the gross vehicle weight reaches 38,000 kg. The Tatra T3C-928-90 air cooled diesel engine (300 kW/1,800 RPM) gives the vehicle a maximum road speed of 115 km/h, and the Tatra chassis makes the vehicle suitable for the most difficult off-road and cross-country conditions (gradient 65°, side slope 45°, 2.1 m trench crossing, 0.6 m vertical obstacle, 1.5 m fording depth).
The container lifting frame stowage assembly is mounted at the front of the subframe. It is used to store the container lifting frame when the vehicle is empty or in flatrack mode. Complete Flatrack Loading or Unloading cycle takes approximately 2 minutes. Flatracks and bodies are locked/unlocked automatically, all operations carried out from the driving position. Complete ISO container Loading or Unloading cycle takes 5 minutes. The Multilift MSH-165-SC single-hook container loader has a rated lift capacity of 16,500 kg It interfaces with NATO STANAG 2413 flatracks and bodies.
See also: The Czech Army military equipment overview 2018
„The units of the Czech Army will be equiped with a fully compatible vehicle (answering the NATO standards) capable to carry containers of different types or special superstructures and materials in difficult terrain, and at relatively high speed when compared to ordinary transport vehicle,“ the Ministry of Defence spokesman Jakub Fajnor said.
The Army already operates about 3,000 Tatra Trucks, the T-810 and T-815 variants (4x4, 6x6 and 8x8) in different configurations (cargo/troop carriers, container carriers, tankers, recovery vehicles, pontoon vehicles). The purchase from Tatra Trucks without public tendering is explained by strategical reasons. Tatra Trucks is member of the Czechoslovak Group (CSG).
See also: Modernization Projects of the Czech Army