T-98 Kombat

The T-98 Kombat is a wheeled armoured vehicle built by Kombat Armouring, a subsidiary of Laura Group, in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The name (комбат), is shorthand for "komandir batalyona" (командир батальона - battalion commander).

There are two basic versions of the T-98 Kombat based on General Motors components, including an 8.1 litre Vortec engine, Allison transmission, and General Motors heavy duty suspensions. All running gear and electronics are provided by General Motors. The two versions are:


 * The “VIP”: has no frame and a monocoque double steel body. The highest protection level uses a composite armor of ceramic between steel layers. VIP Kombats have many options, including leather and wood interiors.
 * The “Utility”: designed for special operations missions.

The armoured body is based on a "metal-ceramic sandwich with cellular filler" technology. The monocoque body provides protection against mine blasts. Kombat Armouring claims that the most highly armoured T-98 will protect occupants from bullets up to 12.7 mm, shotguns, mines and ramming.

A 340 hp V8 gives the lightest T-98 a top speed of 111 mph (180 km/h), making it one of the fastest all-terrain armoured vehicles in the world.

Versions

 * 1) High mobility armoured vehicle (5-door station wagon)
 * 2) Armoured troop carrier (3-door panel truck)
 * 3) Fast attack vehicle (4-door pickup truck)
 * 4) Infantry vehicle for special operations (2-door pickup truck)

Armament

 * Vehicle-mounted 23 mm autocannon
 * 14.5 mm machine gun (KPVT)
 * 12.7mm machine gun (KORD)
 * 55 mm small-sized remotely controlled smoke grenade launching system

Operators
Most are VIP versions sold to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Estonia, Russia, Mauritius, and the US.

In popular culture

 * A gold colored version of the T-98 Kombat appears in the 2012 comedy The Dictator.
 * The T-98 Kombat also appears in the 2014 action film The November Man.
 * An armored SUV closely resembling the T-98 Kombat appears in the videogame GTA Online under the name HVY Nightshark.