At the DSEI 2025 defense exhibition in London, observers noticed a new configuration of military hardware: the MWS120 Ragnarok self-propelled mortar mounted on the ACSV G5 tracked chassis produced by German company FFG. What drew particular attention was the presence of Norwegian, Dutch, and Ukrainian flags painted on the vehicle.
This marks the first public presentation of such a system combination, with no prior announcements of deliveries to Ukraine. At first glance, the Ukrainian flag might suggest future transfer plans. However, the context reveals a more complex picture.
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The MWS120 Ragnarok is a manually loaded 120 mm mortar developed by Rheinmetall's Norwegian division. Unlike traditional mortars, it is designed as a compact, enclosed module, where opening the roof is enough to prepare the system for fire. This configuration makes it adaptable for modern battlefields, especially when combined with protective mesh screens against drones.
The ACSV (armoured combat support vehicle) G5 belongs to the PMMC (protected mission module carrier) G5 family. Originally developed in 2012 as a replacement for the M113 system, the ACSV variant entered serial production only in 2022. It features a modular rear platform for specialized mission modules, supporting roles such as recovery vehicles, radar carriers, and air defense systems.
Norway has already fielded the ACSV G5 in different configurations, including as the base for the NOMADS short-range air defense systems. In late 2024, the Netherlands also ordered the NOMADS system on the same chassis. This explains the Norwegian and Dutch flags painted on the vehicle at the DSEI 2025 exhibition, as both countries are confirmed users of the ACSV platform.
The Ukrainian flag, however, raises questions. Last year, Germany considered supplying the NOMADS systems to Ukraine, though no firm agreements were made public. Since then, Berlin has classified details of its military aid packages at the request of the new government. This opens the possibility that some contracts may exist but remain undisclosed.
Alternatively, FFG may have displayed the Ukrainian flag simply to emphasize ongoing negotiations or to signal the potential for future deliveries. The company already operates a repair facility for military equipment in Ukraine, which further strengthens such assumptions.
While tracked vehicles like the ACSV G5 provide high mobility in Ukraine's muddy spring and autumn terrain, the practicality of deploying self-propelled mortars remains debatable in positional warfare, where static, camouflaged mortar emplacements are common. Still, the unveiling of the Ragnarok-ACSV G5 combination suggests potential interest in supplying either self-propelled mortars or short-range air defense systems to the Ukrainian forces.
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