By Stijn Mitzer and Joost Oliemans
Tanks
Armoured Fighting Vehicles
Self-Propelled Anti-Tank Missile Systems
Infantry Fighting Vehicles
Armoured Personnel Carriers
Infantry Mobility Vehicles
Technicals And Fast Attack Vehicles
Engineering Vehicles And Equipment
Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Guns
Transnistria, or the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (PMR) as it is officially called, is a breakaway state situated between Moldova and Ukraine that has largely escaped the world's attention ever since its self-proclaimed independence as a Soviet republic in 1990 and the subsequent violent secession from Moldova in 1992. When Transnistria took control over most of the weapons storage depots located on its territory, it inherited large amounts of highly specialised vehicles while being left without any significant numbers of (self-propelled) artillery or infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs). The limited amount of such equipment that was present in Transnistria was returned to Russia after the conclusion of hostilities, leaving the PMR with an extensive arsenal of engineering vehicles only in service with a few countries in the world, while being almost completely deprived of equipment such as artillery and IFVs.
In the years since, Transnistria has sought to supplement its vehicle park with a number of homegrown vehicle designs. Many of these are based on existing AFVs, which are then modified to suit an entirely new role. Arguably the best examples of this are the BTRG-127 'Bumblebee' armoured personnel carrier (APC), the MT-LB self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG), the 'Transvee' infantry mobility vehicle (IMV) and the 'Pribor-2' multiple rocket launcher (MRL). [1] [2] [3] [4] Due to a lack of any towed and self-propelled artillery in its inventory, Transnistria was also forced to repurpose its ancient 100mm KS-19 anti-aircraft guns as conventional artillery. With little other options available in the way of gaining new military equipment, Transnistria is sure to unveil other curious design solutions in the future as it struggles to maintain a relevant fighting force.
Our list of Moldova's inventory of armoured fighting vehicles can be viewed here.
This list attempts to list all AFV types currently in service with the Transnistrian Army. This list only includes vehicles and equipment of which photographic evidence is available. ATGMs, MANPADS, trucks and jeeps are not included in the list.
(Click on the vehicle or equipment type to get a picture of them)
Tanks
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Clik here to view.
T-64BV
Armoured Fighting Vehicles
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Clik here to view.BRDM-1 - Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.BRDM-2 - Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.MT-LB Two configurations: (2) - Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.GT-MU Two configurations: (2) - Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.GT-MU With 73mm SPG-9 RCL
Self-Propelled Anti-Tank Missile Systems
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Clik here to view.9P148 Konkurs
Infantry Fighting Vehicles
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Clik here to view.BMP-1P (Only a few in possession) - Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.BMP-2 Obr. 1984 (Only a few in possession)
Armoured Personnel Carriers
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Clik here to view.BTR-50 - Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.BTR-60PB (Some locally up-armoured examples are also in service) - Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.BTR-70 (Some equipped with pintle-mounted ATGMs) - Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.BTR-80 - Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.BTRG-127 'Bumblebee'
Infantry Mobility Vehicles
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Clik here to view.'Transvee'
Technicals And Fast Attack Vehicles
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Clik here to view.![Transnistria]()
Lada Niva Two configurations: (2) - Image may be NSFW.
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Unknown Fast Attack Vehicle (1) - Image may be NSFW.
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Unknown Fast Attack Vehicle (2) - Image may be NSFW.
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UAZ-469 (Armed with ATGMs or SPG-9 RCLs)
Command Posts And Communications Stations
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BMP-1KSh Command And Staff Vehicle - Image may be NSFW.
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R-145BM1 Command Vehicle - Image may be NSFW.
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BTR-60PU-12M Air Defence Command Vehicle (Some used as driver-trainer vehicles) - Image may be NSFW.
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R-409 Radio Station
Engineering Vehicles And Equipment
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BAT-2 Heavy Engineering Vehicle - Image may be NSFW.
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IRM 'Zhuk' Engineer Reconnaissance Vehicle - Image may be NSFW.
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UR-77 'Meteorit' Mine Clearing Vehicle - Image may be NSFW.
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PTS Tracked Amphibious Transport - Image may be NSFW.
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PTS-2 Tracked Amphibious Transport - Image may be NSFW.
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GMZ-3 Minelayer - Image may be NSFW.
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PMZ-4 Minelayer - Image may be NSFW.
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PZM-2 Trench Digger - Image may be NSFW.
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BMK-130M/BMK-150 Towing And Motor Boat
Towed Artillery
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85mm D-44 Divisional Gun - Image may be NSFW.
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100mm MT-12 Anti-Tank Gun - Image may be NSFW.
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100mm KS-19 AA Gun Used As Howitzer
Multiple Rocket Launchers
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Clik here to view.![Transnistria]()
122mm 'S1T' or '1ST'''Pribor-1'' - Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.![Transnistria]()
122mm 'S2T' or '2ST'''Pribor-2''
Towed Anti-Aircraft Guns
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14.5mm ZPU-1 - Image may be NSFW.
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14.5mm ZPU-2 - Image may be NSFW.
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14.5mm ZPU-4 - Image may be NSFW.
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23mm ZU-23 Two configurations: (2) - Image may be NSFW.
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57mm AZP S-60
Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Guns
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Clik here to view.![Transnistria]()
MT-LB With Dual 12.7mm NSV Turret - Image may be NSFW.
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14.5mm ZPU-2 On Ural-4320 - Image may be NSFW.
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23mm ZU-23 On ZiL-131
Radars
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P-12 'Spoon Rest A'
Reconnaissance Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
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Clik here to view.![Transnistria]()
Unknown UAV (1)
[1] A Forgotten Army: Transnistria’s BTRG-127 ’Bumblebee’ APCs https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2017/02/a-forgotten-army-transnistrias-btrg-127.html
[2] DIY On The Dniester: Russia’s Transnistrian SPAAG https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2020/09/a-poor-mans-anti-aircraft-vehicle.html
[3] Ingenuity In Isolation: Transnistria’s Humvee Copy https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2022/06/ingenuity-in-isolation-transnistrias.html
[4] A Forgotten Army: Transnistria Unveils New Type Of Multiple Rocket Launcher https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2018/09/a-forgotten-army-transnistria-unveils.html
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