UAZ-469 is an off-road military light utility vehicle manufactured by UAZ. It was used by the 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 government agencies that needed a robust and durable all-terrain vehicle. Standard military versions included seats for seven personnel. [2nd]
Developed from GAZ-69, UAZ-471 and UAZ-460 [3], the UAZ-469 was launched in 1971 to replace the GAZ-69. The same 75 hp (56 kW; 76 PS) 2,445 cc (149.2 cu in) UMZ 452MI was powered by the inline-four engine as the UAZ-452 and could run on gasoline with an octane rating as low as 72 76 preferred). [4] The UAZ-469 offered two major advantages: it could drive in almost any terrain and was very easy to repair. The vehicle initially could not be purchased by the public, but was sold in excess to most private owners. [2nd]
UAZ-469 medical variant used in UkraineA UAZ-3151 used in a military parade in Russia
Modifications include a base UAZ-469B with a ground clearance of 220 mm (8.7 in) and a special military UAZ-469 with an increased ground clearance to 300 mm (12 in). After the light modernization in 1985, they were renamed due to new industry identification standards: UAZ-469 became UAZ-3151, and UAZ-469B became "UAZ-31512". Production of the UAZ-31512 for the Russian Army continued until 2011, [5] production for the civilian market was stopped due to new emission standards. However, the currently produced UAZ Hunter is an updated version of the old UAZ-469B. [2] [6] Hunter was sold as "UAZ Tigr" (Tiger) until General Motors complained in Germany and some Asian countries that the name was very similar to Opel Tigra and was renamed "Baijah Taigah" in Germany. [7]