UAZ-469

The UAZ-469 is an off-road military light utility vehicle manufactured by UAZ since 1971. It was used by Soviet and other Warsaw Pact armed forces, as well as paramilitary units in Eastern Bloc countries. In the Soviet Union, it also saw widespread service in state organizations that needed a robust and durable off-road vehicle. Standard military versions included seating for seven personnel.^[3]

UAZ-469
Overview
Manufacturer	UAZ
Also called	Baijah Taigah (Germany, 2003–2007) MWM Spartan (Czech Rep., 2020–present) UAZ-469 / UAZ-469B (1971–present) UAZ-3151 / UAZ-31512 (1985–2013)[1] UAZ Hunter (2003–present) UAZ Tigr (2005–2012) UAZ Tundra 469 (West Germany, 1971–1991)[2]
Production	1971–present
Assembly	Soviet Union / Russia: Ulyanovsk Germany: Bad Nauheim (Baijah Automotive: 2003–2007) Cuba: Camagüey (Empresa Reparadora José Smith Comas: 2003–present) Azerbaijan: Ganja (Ganja Auto Plant: 2005–present) Ukraine: Kremenchuk (KrAZ: 2004–present) Vietnam: Hanoi (Thanh Xuan Industry Automobile-Motorbike Co.: 2003–present) Sudan: Port Sudan (2006–present) Czech Republic: Štěnovice (MW Motors: 2020–present)
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door SUV[3]
Layout	Front-engine, four-wheel drive[3]
Powertrain
Engine	2445 cc UMZ 451 MI I4 2693 cc I4[1]
Transmission	4-speed or 5-speed manual gearbox 2-speed transfer shift
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,380 mm (93.7 in)
Length	4,025 mm (158.5 in)
Width	1,785 mm (70.3 in)
Height	2,050 mm (80.7 in)
Curb weight	1,700 kg (3,747.9 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	GAZ-69
Successor	UAZ Hunter UAZ Simbir

History

Using the same chassis as the GAZ-69 but with a new body,^[4] the UAZ-469 was introduced in 1971 to replace the GAZ-69. It is powered by the same 75 hp (55 kW) 2,445 cc (149.2 cu in) UMZ-452MI inline-four engine as the UAZ-452 and is able to run on gasoline with an octane rating as low as 72 (although 76 was preferred).^[5] This engine was used in a variety of Soviet vehicles, including the GAZ-21 Volga passenger car. The UAZ-469 presented two great advantages: it was able to drive in virtually any terrain and it was very easy to repair. The vehicle was originally not available for purchase by the public, but many were sold as surplus to private owners.^[3]

UAZ-469 medical variant, used in Ukraine

A UAZ-3151 used in a military parade in Russia

Modifications include a basic UAZ-469B with ground clearance of 220 mm (8.7 in), and a specialized military UAZ-469, with ground clearance increased to 300 mm (12 in). After slight modernisation in 1985, due to new industry designation standards, they were renamed: the UAZ-469 became the UAZ-3151, while the UAZ-469B became the UAZ-31512. Manufacture of the UAZ-31512 for the Russian Army continued until 2011,^[6] while manufacture for the civilian market was discontinued due to new emission standards. However, the currently manufactured UAZ Hunter is an updated version of the old UAZ-469B.^[3][7] The Hunter was originally sold in Germany and some Asian countries as the "UAZ Tigr" (Tiger), until General Motors complained that the name was too similar to the Opel Tigra, and in Germany, it was renamed "Baijah Taigah".^[8]

The UAZ-469 was exported to eighty countries,^[8] and between 1.65 to 2 million units of the vehicle and its variants were produced.^[9][10]

Major versions

UAZ-469B – a "civilian" version of the UAZ-469. In this version, the ground clearance is 220 mm and the drive axles use a single-stage main gear without the final drive.^[11] The UAZ-469B was available with a contact or contactless (on later models) electronic ignition system. Its PTO shafts are slightly longer than the shafts of the UAZ-469 vehicle. The cabin is open and came with a detachable canvas roof; a hard-top roof made of metal or fiberglass could be purchased as an accessory. The 2.4-litre engine is paired with a four-speed transmission.

In Mexico, a special package called Vallarta Kit, named after the beach resort of Puerto Vallarta, was released featuring a winch, steering assembly and gearbox reinforcement, snorkel, suspension kit and LED headlights, among other extras.^[12]

A police patrol car version was available, based on the UAZ-31512-UMM with an insulated five-door metal body and optional special equipment.^[13] The UAZ-469B formed the basis of the TREKOL-39041 amphibious vehicle.^[14]

Specifications

The original version uses a 2.45-liter four-cylinder engine. From 2010 until 2013 it had a 2.7 L (2,693 cc) engine producing 112 hp (82 kW).^[1]

Engine

2,450 cc petrol, in-line 4-cylinder, water cooled, 75 hp (55 kW) at 4,000 rpm, 166.7 N⋅m (123.0 lb⋅ft) at 2,200 rpm^[15]

Fuel

Carburettor system, uses 76-octane petrol, tank capacity is 78 litres

Transmission

4-speed manual gearbox, 2-speed transfer case, 4-wheel drive

Front axle

Live axle with coil springs, drum brakes

Rear axle

Live axle with leaf springs, drum brakes

Dimensions and weights

• Empty weight with fuel: 1,650 kg (3,638 lb)
• Max. gross weight: 2,450 kg (5,401 lb)
• External dimensions: (length/width/height): 4,025 mm (158.5 in) × 1,785 mm (70.3 in) × 2,050 mm (80.7 in)
• Wheelbase: 2,380 mm (93.7 in)
• Tread front/rear: 1,453 mm (57.2 in)/1,453 mm (57.2 in)
• Ground clearance: 220 mm (8.7 in)
• Tire size: 215 SR 15
• Wheel size: 6L×15

Other variants

• UAZ-469BI – 469B version with shielded electrical equipment (for example, P-403M microwave transceiver VHF radio)
• UAZ-469BG – medical utility version, equipped with places for nurses and a stretcher; after modernization in 1985, it received the designation UAZ-3152.
  • UAZ-469 WZMot-4 – Polish ambulance version with stretched patient compartment, upgraded from UAZ-469BG^[16]
• UAZ-469RH – version modified for nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) resistance
• UAZ-39294 – variant with low–pressure tires

Concepts and prototypes

• UAZ-3907 Ягуар (Jaguar) – amphibious vehicle based on the UAZ-469 with two propellers mounted to the rear axle
• UAZ-Martorelli – UAZ-469B version that was exported to Italy, where it was significantly modified. These versions included:
  • with Russian UMP-451M petrol engine (2,445 cc, 75 hp), called the "UAZ-Explorer"
  • with a Peugeot XD2 diesel (2,498 cc, 76 hp) – UAZ-Marathon
  • with a turbodiesel Vittorio Martorelli VM Motori (2,400 cc, 100 hp) - UAZ-Dakar,
  • with a Fiat petrol engine (1,995 cc, 112 hp) – UAZ-Racing^[17]
• UAZ-3105 (or UAZ-3150)^[18][19] Cпорт (Sport) – a short wheelbase (2000mm) version with removable roof and doors^[20]
• UAZ-3171/3172 - variant with rebodied body and rectangular headlights

Users

A UAZ-3151 on parade in Minsk, July 2017.

•  Afghanistan^[21]
•  Albania^[22]
•  Algeria^[22]
•  Angola^[22]
•  Armenia^[23]
•  Azerbaijan^[24]
•  Belarus^[24]
•  Bulgaria^[25]
•  Cambodia^[26]
•  Cuba^[26]
•  Georgia^[24]
•  Ghana^[27]
•  Hungary^[28]
•  Iraq^[28]
•  Kazakhstan^[24]
•  Kyrgyzstan^[24]
•  Laos^[29]
•  Libya^[30]
•  Moldova^[24]
•  Mongolia^[30]
•  Mozambique^[30]
•  Nicaragua^[30]
•  North Korea^[31]
•  Poland^[24]
•  Romania^[24]
•  Russia^[24]
•  Slovakia^[32]
•  Syria^[32]
•  Tajikistan^[24]
• Transnistria^[33]
•  Turkmenistan^[24]
•  Ukraine^[34]
•  Uruguay^[35]
•  Uzbekistan^[24]
•  Vietnam^[36]
•  Yemen^[37]

Former users

•  Czech Republic^[38]
•  Czechoslovakia
•  East Germany
•  Egypt^[39]
•  Greece: Briefly used during the 1990s, acquired from Germany.^{[citation needed]}
•  Iran:^[28] Bought in the 1970s and retired in the 1990s.^{[citation needed]}
•  Israel: Used captured Syrian examples; retired from IDF service.^{[citation needed]}
•  Mali^[40]
•  Soviet Union: Passed on to successor states.

Service history

• Yom Kippur War
• Soviet-Afghan War
• Iran-Iraq War
• United States invasion of Grenada
• Persian Gulf War
• Transnistrian War
• First Nagorno-Karabakh War
• First Chechen War
• Second Chechen War
• War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
• Iraq War
• Russo-Ukrainian War
  • War in Donbas
  • Russian invasion of Ukraine
• Second Nagorno-Karabakh War

Gallery

• 
  UMP-4178 engine for the UAZ-469
• 
  Ukrainian police UAZ-3151 UMM
• 
  UAZ-469 on Garbarska street in Kraków
• 
  UAZ-3150 aka UAZ Sport
• 
  UAZ-469 with open top
• 
  UAZ-469 interior
• 
  UAZ Hunter with equipment

See also

• Beijing Auto Works BJ-212, a Chinese off-road vehicle based on the UAZ-469,
• Willys MB, the US off-road vehicle of World War II.

Bibliography

• Foss, Christopher F.; Gander, Terry J., eds. (1999). Jane's Military Vehicles and Logistics, 1999-2000. Jane's Information Group. ISBN 978-0-7106-1912-9.