- Yes
- No (Explain why)
Suggestion No.69 (Obligatory “Nice” comment here)
Zdravo. I want to suggest an obscure Serbian 2S1, which has a Light Turret High Performance Low Recoil Gun Anti Tank 105 turret on it, shortened to LT-HPLRG-AT.
Description:
Spoiler
The LT-HPLRG-AT is a modern Serbian light tank developed using the chassis of the Soviet-era 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer. It is equipped with a versatile turret that houses a 105mm low-recoil gun with a bustle-mounted autoloader for efficient ammunition handling. For enhanced combat capabilities, the turret also features a remote controlled weapon station that supports either a 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine gun, along with smoke grenade launchers for defensive measures.
History:
Spoiler
The tank was conceptualized by the Serbian private company DLS Special System, which was established in 2015. The company’s plans for a light tank were based on repurposing the chassis of the Soviet 2S1 Gvozdika, a widely used self-propelled howitzer known for its reliability and amphibious capabilities.
Initially, DLS explored various projects, including a 122mm self-propelled howitzer and a 105mm fire support vehicle utilizing the MT-LB chassis. The turret designated for the 105mm vehicle, known as the Light Turret High Performance Low Recoil Gun (LT-HPLRG-AT), gained recognition for being featured in other platforms like the Wahash 8×8 fire support vehicle. However, the LT-HPLRG-AT light tank concept lacked substantial documentation and was seemingly limited to promotional materials, including a 2018 company calendar.
The company experienced significant success as a subcontractor in defense projects, becoming a key player in Serbia’s military-industrial complex. Nevertheless, its operations sparked controversy, with allegations of influence trading and connections to defense ministry officials clouding its reputation. Despite this, DLS managed to secure notable contracts, including the production of NORA-B52 self-propelled howitzers.
Over time, the Serbian defense industry faced challenges such as brain drain, where skilled engineers left state-run organizations like the Military Technical Institute for private firms offering better conditions. This shift, coupled with bureaucratic inefficiencies, allowed private companies like DLS to thrive, even amid suspicions of leveraging state resources and technical documentation for private gain.
During 2021, a prototype was spotted of it (seen on the first image of the suggestion), as well as more turrets being already produced, but even then, the LT-HPLRG-AT’s history remains obscure.
Armaments:
Specifications:
Spoiler
There is barely any info about this vehicle, aside from some obscure site saying it has a length of 7.26m and a width of 2.85m, so I’ll use 2S1 data for the rest. It has a weight of 16 tons. It is powered by a YaMZ-238N diesel engine, giving out 300hp, which makes it go up to 60km/h.
Sources:
Spoiler
https://defence-blog.com/mysterious-light-tank-spotted-in-serbia/
Serbia has developed new light tank that can be armed with 122mm or 10
Srbský lehký tank na sovětském podvozku MT-LB | Armádní noviny
Thanks a lot for reading! If you have any extra information, as this vehicle is quite obscure, then feel free to share them in the replies! As always, have a good day :)
