Over a hundred vehicles were destined for Libya. Now under consideration for Ukraine

Ukraine may soon receive significant support in the form of approximately 150 armored vehicles. According to the Dutch television news service RTL Nieuws, these vehicles were seized during the European Union's (EU) IRINI operation - a military operation in the Mediterranean - while they were being illegally transported to Libya.

RTL Nieuws reported that in October 2022, the freighter MV Meerdijk, owned by a Dutch shipping company, attempted to transport armored vehicles to Libya. This act violated the arms embargo imposed on that country, leading to the detention of the ship off the North African coast and the subsequent confiscation of the military equipment it was carrying. The Dutch prosecutor's office has initiated an investigation into this incident, but due to the ongoing case, details have yet to be revealed.

The ship was transporting 41 BATT UMG vehicles, manufactured in a factory in the United Arab Emirates. According to RTL Nieuws, the shipment was intended for Benghazi, a coastal town controlled by rebel general Khalifa Haftar. However, the cargo was instead delivered to a warehouse near Marseille, France. This warehouse also houses over 100 other vehicles, including modified, armed, and armored Toyota SUVs, which were seized during the IRINI operation in the summer of 2022 and were also intended for Libya.

Dutch politician and Member of the European Parliament, Bart Grothuys, has suggested that the vehicles should be donated to Ukraine. He cited the precedent set by the United States, who allocated weapons and ammunition they had seized en route from Yemen to Ukraine. Grothuys, as quoted by RTL Nieuws, believes "the war in Ukraine is turning into a war of attrition, so handing over nearly 150 vehicles would send a very clear signal to Russia that Europe is prepared to do everything in its power".

The addition of armored vehicles, including BATT UMG vehicles, would certainly benefit the Ukrainian Armed Forces. These machines are used for the safe transportation of soldiers to and from specific mission locations and can also double as armored, mobile medical, or command and control centers. These vehicles are based on the commercially available Ford F550 chassis and are modified to the manufacturer's - the American company TAG - standards for survivability in conflict zones.

Different armor configurations are available for the BATT UMG as per clients' requirements. As already reported by WP Tech journalist Mateusz Tomczak, the BATT UMG can provide maximum ballistic and anti-mine protection at STANAG Level 2, which provides protection against 7.62 mm caliber bullets and 13 lbs explosive charges. The vehicles, which are approximately 20 feet long and weigh over 22,046 lbs, can typically accommodate up to 10 people. They can reach a top speed of about 62 mph and are exceptional in off-road conditions.

As confirmed to RTL Nieuws by a spokesperson for the EU IRINI mission, it is legally possible to donate the seized vehicles to Ukraine. However, the final decision rests with the European Council.