Ukraine has developed its own tracked armored personnel carrier
The Ukrainian company "UkrArmoTech" has begun factory testing of a prototype of its latest tracked armored personnel carrier, the "Skif."
This was reported by Defense Express.
This development is intended to meet the Defense Forces’ urgent need for reliable armored vehicles capable of ensuring high mobility for units in conditions of intense combat operations.
UkrArmoTech CEO Gennadiy Khirgiy emphasized the critical importance of the project for the Ukrainian military.
He noted: “Active combat operations in Ukraine have demonstrated the need for a significant number of armored vehicles to ensure and maintain the mobility of units and formations of the Armed Forces and the Defense Forces.”
The main objective of the current tests is to verify the platform’s performance characteristics and the durability of its key components under maximum loads.
Experts aim to confirm the maturity of the vehicle’s design, which was developed based on experience in countering Russian aggression and the requirements of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
The “Skif” became the first domestically produced tracked vehicle based on an analysis of the operation of American M113 armored personnel carriers.
The developers aimed to create a vehicle that would significantly outperform its Western counterpart in terms of protection and firepower.
The armored personnel carrier is designed for a crew of three: a driver, a commander, and a combat module operator.
The troop compartment is designed to carry eight soldiers, who can quickly exit the vehicle through a special ramp at the rear of the hull.
A key technical feature of the prototype is its aluminum hull—marking the first use of this material in Ukrainian tank manufacturing.
The use of aluminum allowed the vehicle’s weight to be kept within 15 tons while maintaining an engine power of 360 horsepower.
Despite its innovative design, UkrArmoTech is considering the possibility of creating a version made of armored steel in the event of restrictions on the import of specialized materials.
In the initial production phase, approximately 60% of the components, including the engine and transmission, will be of foreign origin to ensure reliability.
The Skif’s protection meets the high standards of NATO STANAG 4569: Level 4 for the front and Level 3 for the sides.
Mine protection allows the vehicle to withstand the detonation of up to 6 kg of explosives under the hull or tracks, which is critical for the modern battlefield.
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