The T-98 Kombat is a wheeled armoured vehicle built by Kombat Armouring, a subsidiary of Laura Group, in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The name () 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 1000 automatic transmission, and General Motors heavy‑duty suspension systems. All running gear and electronics are supplied by General Motors. The two versions are:
The “VIP”: a monocoque double‑steel body with optional composite ceramic armour and luxury interior options. The “Utility”: designed for special operations missions.
The armoured body uses a "metal‑ceramic sandwich with cellular filler" structure. The monocoque design provides protection against mine blasts. Kombat Armouring claims that the highest‑protection configuration can withstand 12.7 mm rounds, 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 High‑mobility armoured vehicle (5‑door station wagon) Armoured troop carrier (3‑door panel truck) Fast attack vehicle (4‑door pickup truck) Infantry vehicle for special operations (2‑door pickup truck)
Armament Vehicle‑mounted 23 mm autocannon 14.5 mm machine gun (KPVT) 12.7 mm machine gun (KORD) 55 mm remotely operated smoke grenade launcher
Operators Most are VIP versions sold to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Estonia, Russia, Mauritius, and the United States.
In popular culture A gold‑coloured T‑98 Kombat appears in the 2012 comedy The Dictator. The T‑98 Kombat appears in the 2014 action film The November Man. A similar armoured SUV appears in Grand Theft Auto Online as the HVY Nightshark.
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