Ukrainian Armor (Ukarmor) has announced a significant increase in the production of its Novator 4×4 armored personnel carriers, stating that it plans to double its output this year. This strategic decision comes in the wake of the company’s recent delivery of these vehicles to the Ukrainian Armed Forces in October 2024 as the country continues to navigate the ongoing conflict stemming from Russia’s invasion.
Vladyslav Belbas, General Director of Ukarmor, outlined the firm’s ambitions, noting that the push to ramp up production is a response to “positive changes” regarding previous contracts related to the Novator that were been signed but lacked funding. He revealed that the company has already secured contracts for a quantity of vehicles that exceeds last year’s production by one and a half times, demonstrating a clear commitment to increasing their output. “We set ourselves the goal of increasing the production of Novator armored vehicles by two times. And we are somewhere on the way to this,” he stated.
Belbas emphasized the importance of relying on domestically produced military vehicles like the Novator to meet the needs of the Ukrainian military on the front lines, highlighting that local manufacturing can maintain a quality comparable to that of foreign suppliers. The ongoing invasion by Russia, which began in 2022, has prompted Ukraine to depend heavily on military assistance from allied nations, making local production even more critical.
In discussing the company’s efforts to improve the Novator system, Belbas pointed out that Ukarmor remains dedicated to rigorous service support, including post-warranty care, which he believes are yielding positive results. The company actively refines its equipment based on feedback and performance evaluations, continuously working to enhance their vehicles.
The Novator armored personnel carrier is designed on a Ford F-550 chassis and includes several advanced features such as bulletproof glass, an electric shock and waterproof winch, modern rubber run-flat tires, and a sophisticated night and camouflage interior illumination system. Measuring 6 meters (20 feet) in length and weighing 8,845 kilograms (19,499 pounds), the vehicle can carry up to 10 personnel and has a payload capacity of 1,845 kilograms (4,068 pounds). It is powered by a robust 300-horsepower Ford diesel engine and a six-speed automatic transmission, enabling it to achieve a maximum speed of 140 kilometers (87 miles) per hour and an operational range of 500 kilometers (311 miles).
In summary, Ukarmor’s commitment to doubling the production of the Novator armored personnel carriers is a strategic move aimed at bolstering Ukraine’s defense capabilities amid ongoing hostilities, while ensuring that local forces are equipped with reliable and effective military vehicles.
