The Ukrainian Armed Forces are operating a Mbombe 6 mine-protected armored fighting vehicle under the 10th Mountain Assault Brigade “Edelweiss” unit.
Unveiled in a Ukrainian military feed NMFTE on Telegram, the 6×6 platform was seen equipped with the Spys combat module.
The update followed a demonstration of the platforms to the commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrsky in April 2024, which saw other equipment including the BMP-1TS infantry fighting vehicle and the Oncilla armored personnel carrier.
The recent social media post shared previously undisclosed numbers and specifics of the Mbombe.
Combat unit Edelweiss was formed in 2015 in Kolomyia to secure Romanian territorial claims in Northern Bukovina and enhance Kyiv’s defenses against future conflicts with Russia.
South Africa’s Mbombe 6
Developed by South African Paramount Group, the Mbombe 6 is a highly mobile 6×6 platform protected by a NATO Level 4 standard chassis that can withstand RPGs, TNT, flat-floor mines, and other improvised explosive devices.
It weighs 22,500 kilograms (49,604 pounds) and measures approximately 7.7 meters (25 feet) long.
The Mbombe is powered by an Allison six-speed automatic transmission and a 450-horsepower Cummins diesel engine for a range of 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) and a maximum speed of 110 kilometers (68 miles) per hour.
In June 2024, Paramount debuted the latest configuration of the Mbombe 6 in response to Russia’s aggression in Eastern Europe.
“Leveraging our decades of experience, we’ve crafted the Mbombe vehicle family to meet the demands of the modern battlefield,” Paramount Land Systems CEO Deon Grobler stated during the Mbombe 6 next-generation’s introduction.
“The enhancements to the Mbombe 6 will further cement the warrior reputation of this pioneering and battle-proven platform.”
The Spys Weapon Station
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian-made Spys is a 30-millimeter automatic cannon fitted with a 7.62-millimeter machine gun, an AGS-17 Plamya automatic grenade launcher, a Barrier anti-tank guided missile launcher, and a smoke screen system.
It is coated with Level 3 NATO armor and is usually coupled with the Syntez fire control system with optical-electronic module, video displays, thermal imaging cameras, and laser tracker.
