M113 "grain harvesters" upgraded for frontline duty in Ukraine
Among the equipment being provided to Ukraine by its allies are the very old M113 armored personnel carriers. Due to certain features, they have been nicknamed "grain harvesters mowing down enemies." However, as the Ukrainians suggest, these machines will only be able to do so effectively after recent upgrades and the elimination of one of their major shortcomings.
3:26 PM EST, December 16, 2024
The M113 armored personnel carriers are American vehicles that date back to the Vietnam War. Production started in 1960 and continued long enough for them to enter service in many countries around the world. Allies have already delivered hundreds of these machines to Ukraine, which structurally turned out to have much in common with the popular grain harvesters there.
Ukrainians modified the M113 armored personnel carriers
Ukrainian soldiers often joked that they were "grain harvesters mowing down enemies instead of grain." However, a problem with the M113 armored personnel carriers was that the machine gun required the shooter to be in an exposed position. Thanks to the modernization efforts, this will no longer be necessary.
According to the Defence Express portal, Ukrainians are equipping the M113 armored personnel carriers with locally produced Tawria-14.5/7.62 combat modules. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has confirmed this information.
This combat module is equipped with 14.5 mm and 7.62 mm machine guns. Importantly, its operator can fire while being inside the armored vehicle. Although, due to their age, the M113 armored personnel carriers do not have strong armor, this is still a much safer option—protecting shrapnel and small arms—than using the standard 12.7 mm machine gun, which requires the shooter to fire from an unprotected position on the turret.
M113 in Ukrainian service
Ukrainians have previously experimented with similar solutions. In August 2023, an M113 armored personnel carrier with a Turkish Sarp Dual module designed for countering drones was spotted on the front line. However, the modernization revealed now should be on a much larger scale.
The M113, in its most common infantry carrier variant, weighs around 22,000 lbs and can carry up to 11 people. One advantage is its tracked traction, making moving over difficult terrain more efficient than wheeled designs. The maximum speed of this armored personnel carrier is around 40 mph. It can also cross water bodies but at a speed not greater than 4 mph.
