The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has officially codified and approved for use by the Armed Forces a new multi-purpose armored vehicle, the UAT.DESNA. The vehicle is designed for transporting infantry and cargo in combat conditions. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine citing the ministry's press service.
Design Features and Engineering Solutions
The new development belongs to the medium class of multi-purpose armored vehicles and is positioned as an analog of the American HMMWV. Ukrainian engineers, in creating the UAT.DESNA, relied on the design solutions of the Western prototype, as well as taking into account the real combat experience accumulated by Ukrainian military personnel. The vehicle was manufactured at a domestic enterprise and is equipped with its own chassis, designed specifically for carrying out military missions in difficult conditions.
Dimensions and Off-road Capability
The body dimensions of the armored vehicle are 5.35 meters in length, 2.7 meters in width, and only 2 meters in height. According to the Ministry of Defense, these dimensions are optimal for ensuring high off-road capability, stability during sharp maneuvers, and low visibility in field conditions.
The technical specifications of the UAT.DESNA allow it to ford water up to 70 cm deep and reach speeds of up to 110 km/h. The cabin is designed to transport a driver and four infantrymen. With a total weight of 8.3 tons, the maximum payload reaches 1.5 tons.
Tactical Niche and Protection
The UAT.DESNA armored vehicle was created to fill the niche between light unprotected pickups and heavy full-fledged MRAP-class armored vehicles. The Ministry of Defense notes that in 2025, the Armed Forces of Ukraine received 25% more special armored vehicles compared to 2024. Most of these vehicles are manufactured according to the MRAP design, meaning with enhanced protection against mines and ambushes.
Such vehicles have a V-shaped hull bottom to disperse blast energy and are also equipped with special shock-absorbing seats. The design includes a monolithic armored capsule and external blast-absorbing units: wheels, chassis, and engine.
Context of Armored Vehicle Deliveries
Earlier, it was reported that the Canadian armored vehicle manufacturer Roshel transferred a batch of 1,700 Senator armored vehicles to the Ukrainian military. The main protection of this model is an armored body meeting STANAG 4569 standards, which ensures resistance to bullets and explosions. The vehicle is equipped with a modern communication system and can be equipped with additional protective elements.
