TechUkraine's army will have to wait for the armor equipment's missing paperwork

Ukraine's army will have to wait for the armor equipment's missing paperwork

BATT UMG - stock photo

Images source: © ©The Armored Group

9:02 AM EDT, April 23, 2024

The Bild newspaper has reported a delay in delivering German MRAP armored vehicles, attributing the holdup to missing anti-mine protection certificates and restrictive export permits from the USA to Germany. Initially slated to commence in 2023, the first vehicles' delivery is unlikely to start before June 2024.

According to Bild, Ukraine and Flensburger Fahrzeugbau GmbH (FFG) had agreed on a contract for 400 MRAP armored vehicles, a deal worth 315 million euros funded by Germany. The plan was to start deliveries in 2023, with the German government providing Ukraine with 20 vehicles monthly and aiming to furnish half of the order within ten months. Despite these plans, not a single vehicle has been delivered to Ukraine as of yet.

Delays in vehicle deliveries for Ukrainians

The delays are reportedly due to a few key issues. Bild highlights strict export permits from the USA to Germany as a significant hurdle. Militarny, a Ukrainian service, suggests that inadequate logistical and production processes at FFG, which produces the vehicles under license using American parts only for the final assembly, are also to blame.

A crucial problem is the absence of the required certification for mine protection. Bild's investigation revealed that the BATT UMG vehicles intended for Ukraine failed to pass the necessary tests. A ministry insider confirmed to the newspaper that, as of mid-April, the vehicles hadn't succeeded in explosive material tests to secure the required certifications, thus failing to confirm their mine-protected capability as promised by FFG.

In response to these concerns, FFG's spokesperson assured Bild that the protection level had been tested successfully and is undergoing reevaluation with the necessary evidence and certifications from relevant research bodies.

BATT UMG Vehicles

Developed by the American company TAG, BATT UMG vehicles are based on the Ford F550 chassis. These vehicles, transformed for conflict zone survival, are nearly 20 feet long, weigh over 10 tons, and can accommodate up to 10 passengers, with seating variations available. BATT UMGs are designed to reach speeds of up to 62 mph and perform well in off-road conditions. It's worth noting that these vehicles offer ballistic and mine protection of STANAG level 2, which includes protection against 7.62 mm caliber bullets and 6 kg explosive charges.