BRIEF

2T Stalker

A creation of Minotor Service Unitary Enterprise of Belarus, the 2T Stalker has been in development for years, the first prototype operational in 2000.  CFR first filmed it on the mobility course at the International Defense Exhibition (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi UAE in 2001.  The Stalker is promoted as a long-range reconnaissance system and is said to be able to travel at speeds up to 95km/hr and at a distance of up to 1000km.  It shares chassis and automotive components with the 2S6 self-propelled gun/missile air defense system.  The first version held a crew of three; driver, commander and gunner and is fitted with a 30mm cannon, 7.62mm co-axial machine gun and 30mm grenade launcher.  The 2T is also fitted with two retractable launchers for both Igla fire-and-forget surface to air missiles and Ataka anti-tank guided missiles.

To be combat survivable the 2T incorporates a number of stealth features including a shaped hull with minimal extruding components and a special paint surface.  It incorporates a day/night firing system for fire, surveillance and target tracking, and is even fitted with rear mounted TV camera to be used when operating in reverse.

By IDEX 2003 the Stalker was able to hold a crew of five; gunner, commander, driver and two passengers in the front of the hull.  Minotor claims it can withstand 35mm projectiles over the frontal arc and provides substantial protection against mines.  The 2003 version was also fitted with a series of laser detectors mounted strategically around the hull and connected to the grenade launchers within the turret sides, which can deliver a variety of ordnance.

Although we had doubts about the 2T’s ability to operate stealthily as it is basically a tank, both heavy and loud—without the complimentary firepower of a tank’s main gun—we found the Stalker to be one of the most interesting pieces of armor being displayed at IDEX in both 2001 and 2003. Stalker program director Valeriy Grebenschikov did tell us that he was in Chechnya assisting the salvage and battlefield refitting of other armored vehicles being used against the Chechen insurgency, but he declined to comment on any lessons learned from the conflict that might have been applied to or incorporated into the Stalker program.

Minotor did not bring a further advanced prototype to IDEX 2005 and we aren’t sure if they will demonstrate in 2007 or not.  As far as we know there have not been any orders for the 2T Stalker reconnaissance vehicle.