The first batch of the Russian UAZ Patriot light utility vehicles has arrived in Syria.

The Defense Ministry confirmed that it has deployed a group of UAZ Patriot pickups equipped with Kord 12.7 mm heavy machine guns and AGS-17 grenade launchers to the war-torn country.

The first Russian UAZ Patriot light utility vehicles were spotted in Syria in February 2016. The new  vehicles are used for urban combat, attack and pursue the enemy in the desert, cover humanitarian convoys, which are regularly shelled, on the roads of Syria, and deliver ammunition to friendly checkpoints.

The UAZ Patriot is a Russian light utility vehicle. It was introduced in 2005. A facelifted version is produced since 2015. Originally it was developed as a civilian vehicle. However this utilitarian and affordable vehicle, yet with good cross-country capability, is also used by the military.  The UAZ Patriot has been exported to Armenia, and possibly some other countries.

A baseline vehicle has a fully-enclosed body with 5-doors. It accommodates driver plus 4 passengers and can carry 200 kg of cargo. There is a version, that accommodates driver and up to 8 passengers. Also there are 2-door and 4-door pickup versions. Full payload capacity is 525 to 800 kg, depending on the version.