An unusual modification of the Russian pickup truck Sollers ST9 was unveiled at the Integrated Security-2026 exhibition. The production vehicle was adapted for rescue and emergency services: it received special tools, a fire suppression system, a platform for a drone, and a trailer and ATV kit.
The company “Prioritet” was in charge of developing and equipping this special version. However, the project remains based on the standard all-wheel-drive Sollers ST9. This approach allows us to use an already developed automobile platform, rather than creating a specialized vehicle from scratch.
What is the special Sollers ST9
Unlike the standard pickup truck, which is primarily focused on transporting people and cargo, the new version was created as a mobile tool for work directly in the emergency zone.
The vehicle is designed for a crew of three to four people. The cargo compartment contains the necessary equipment, and part of the equipment is transported on a trailer.
It is based on the all-wheel drive Sollers ST9 with a gasoline turbo engine producing 224 hp and an 8-speed automatic transmission. Ground clearance is 210 mm.
The use of the Part-time all-wheel drive system is especially important for such equipment. Its potential application includes not only paved roads, but also dirt roads, construction sites, forest roads, and other areas with poor surfaces.
At the same time, the ST9 shouldn’t be seen as a full-fledged replacement for a heavy fire or rescue vehicle. Its strength lies elsewhere—quickly delivering a small team of specialists and the necessary equipment directly to the scene of an incident.
Why do rescuers need a drone on the roof?
One of the most interesting details of the project is a special platform on the roof for launching and landing a reconnaissance drone.
For emergency services, this may be almost as important as the additional load capacity. Before sending people to an unfamiliar or potentially dangerous area, it is necessary to obtain as much information as possible about the situation.
The drone can be used for:
- visual inspection of the area;
- searching for people;
- assessing the consequences of an accident;
- fire and smoke control;
- inspection of hard-to-reach areas;
- monitoring the situation from a safe distance.
Thus, Sollers ST9 receives the function of a kind of mobile reconnaissance post. The crew can drive up to the scene, launch the drone, and only after assessing the situation determine further actions.
The ATV expands the capabilities of the pickup truck
Another solution that distinguishes the special version from a regular vehicle is the presence of an ATV and a trailer .
At first glance, this combination may seem excessive, but for rescue teams it makes perfect practical sense. Even a well-prepared SUV cannot go absolutely everywhere. After floods, collapses, forest fires, or road damage, obstacles may appear directly along the route.
In such cases, the ST9 delivers people and equipment as close as possible to the needed location, after which the ATV allows you to continue moving over more difficult terrain.
In essence, this is a three-level mobility scheme: pickup truck – trailer – ATV . It gives the crew more options than using a single vehicle.
The equipment allows for immediate rescue operations
The kit includes hydraulic and electromechanical tools. It can be used in emergency rescue operations when quick access to damaged structures or objects is necessary.
Special attention is paid to firefighting. The special version of the ST9 received an extinguishing unit compression foam , as well as 9 and 13 liter cylinders.
The main advantage of such equipment is the ability to quickly begin localizing a small fire. For a task force vehicle, this is more important than the ability to conduct full-fledged firefighting for a long time.
In the event of a serious fire, a specialized fire engine will still be significantly more effective. Therefore, it is more logical to consider the ST9 equipment as a means of primary response , allowing you to buy time until the arrival of the main equipment.
Why does a car need a power bumper
A steel power bumper is installed on the front of the pickup. For a civilian car, such an element is often more of an accessory, but for special equipment its purpose is practical.
When driving on rough terrain, the car can collide with branches, small obstacles or damaged structures. Additional protection of the front part reduces the risk of damage to the car and, accordingly, loss of mobility of the crew.
LED flashing beacons are installed on the roof, allowing you to mark the special vehicle during work.
How much does Sollers ST9 cost for rescuers
The price of the special modification has not yet been announced . You can order this vehicle from official Sollers dealers.
For reference: the price of a standard new Sollers ST9 starts at 3,661,000 rubles. The special edition version will naturally be more expensive, since the buyer gets not just a pickup truck, but a full range of additional equipment.
However, comparing the price of this vehicle with a regular pickup truck is not entirely accurate. The price of the special version includes not only the vehicle components, but also rescue equipment, a fire extinguishing system, drone infrastructure, power body kit, and additional equipment.
The final attractiveness of the project will depend on how much the cost of the vehicle increases after the conversion.
Why the project may be in demand
The main advantage of the Sollers ST9 in a special version is its versatility.
Large rescue equipment is not always convenient to work in places where it is necessary to quickly survey an area or deliver a small group of specialists. In turn, a regular SUV is not capable of simultaneously transporting specialized tools, launching a drone, and delivering additional equipment.
ST9 attempts to combine these functions in a single platform.
Potential customers include rescue services, energy and oil and gas enterprises, industrial companies, organizations maintaining infrastructure, as well as units that regularly have to work outside of large cities.
For remote sites, the ability to use one vehicle for several scenarios may be especially important: transporting personnel, reconnaissance of the area, delivering equipment, and initial response to incidents.
Are there any limitations to the project?
This versatility also has a downside. The more equipment transported on the vehicle, the higher the load on the chassis and the more important the issues of payload capacity, weight distribution, and cruising range become.
Furthermore, the ST9 remains a pickup truck, not a specialized fire engine. Therefore, you shouldn’t expect it to perform as a full-fledged emergency rescue vehicle.
Much will also depend on the crew’s work organization. The presence of a drone, an ATV, and a large tool kit alone doesn’t guarantee effectiveness—personnel must be able to quickly deploy the equipment and use it for its intended purpose.
Where the ST9 might be more effective than larger special-purpose vehicles
The main application scenario for the new Sollers is situations in which speed and mobility are more important than maximum equipment performance .
For example, during an accident at a remote site, a pickup truck can be the first to deliver specialists and conduct aerial reconnaissance. If a small fire is detected, the crew can immediately begin containing it. If it is necessary to survey the area further, an ATV comes into play.
And only if the situation requires serious resources, heavy specialized equipment is sent to the scene.
It is in this role that the special Sollers ST9 looks most logical – not as a replacement for a fire engine, but as the first mobile response echelon .
Production is organized in Russia
Another feature of the project is related to the platform itself. The Sollers ST9 is produced in a full cycle at the UAZ site in Ulyanovsk.
For corporate and government customers, local production can be important in terms of supply, servicing, and vehicle adaptation for specific tasks.
This approach can subsequently be used to create a variety of specialized modifications based on a single platform, from emergency vehicles to vehicles for power engineers, road maintenance organizations, and other companies that require increased cross-country capability.
Result
The special Sollers ST9 is an interesting example of how a production pickup truck can be transformed into a multi-functional rapid response vehicle. Its key advantage lies not in its individual features, but in the combination of all-wheel drive, a 224-horsepower turbocharged engine, an automatic transmission, a reconnaissance drone, an ATV, and a rescue equipment kit .
The main unknown for now is the price of the complete system. This will determine how profitable this format will be for professional customers. At a reasonable price, the ST9 can fill a niche between a regular off-road vehicle with minimal equipment and large specialized rescue equipment.
