The Armed Forces of Ukraine has received a new batch of locally-made Novator-2 armored personnel carriers.
The 12th Special Operations Brigade “Azov” under the Ukrainian National Guard based in Mariupol is now utilizing the fleet on the frontline, according to the military unit’s Telegram update.
The announcement noted that the vehicles primarily deploy to secure personnel out of firefights and drone strikes.
Other scenarios in which the platforms were observed to be effective include onboard counter-unmanned aerial system jamming operations and unexpected mine explosions.
In July 2024, mobility solutions company Ukrainian Armor delivered the initial tranche of Novator-2s equipped with electronic warfare systems to the military.
A month later, the Armed Forces of Ukraine distributed another batch of the vehicles to units stationed near Kursk in western Russia.
“We have taken into account all the wishes of the National Guard,” Ukrainian Armor LLC Director General Vladyslav Belbas explained during the first delivery. “The armored vehicle underwent almost a year of testing before it was put into production.”
“Ukrainian Armor was the first manufacturer to supply vehicles with electronic warfare systems. We look forward to cooperation and feedback from combat units on how the vehicle performs in combat conditions to improve it as much as possible, taking into account the realities of modern warfare.”
Ukrainian Armor’s Novator-2
The Novator-2 is a 7-meter (23-foot) platform that can transport up to 10 personnel and approximately 1,845 kilograms (4,068 pounds) of cargo.
Based on the Ford F-550 chassis, the vehicle is equipped with bulletproof glass, an electric shock and waterproof winch, rubber run-flat tires, and internal illumination with night and camouflage configurations.
The Novator-2 has a six-gear automatic transmission, 4×4 wheel drive, and a Ford V8 Super 7-liter diesel engine with 300 horsepower for a top speed of 140 kilometers (87 miles) per hour and a range of up to 500 kilometers (311 miles).
