Ukrainian company UkrArmoTech has begun factory testing of a prototype of a new tracked armored personnel carrier called Skif. For the enterprise known as one of the leading developers and manufacturers of wheeled armored vehicles for Ukrainian Defense Forces with models such as Giurza, Tysa, as well as Desna this is a new track in creating combat platforms for Ukrainian military.
Skif APC is actually the first domestically manufactured tracked armored vehicle made considering combat experience against an adversary like russia. This experience formed both new requirements and needs of Ukrainian Defense Forces specifically in tracked armored vehicles of various purposes.
Read more: 50+ Test Flights Complete for Modular Wolf Pack, Strike Red,EW Green Variants Already Ordered by Marines
During the large-scale russian-Ukrainian war, the military received a significant quantity of American-designed M113-type tracked APCs, which were supplied to Ukraine in various versions. This platform proved itself well, despite quite a long time since creation. It’s reliable, maintainable, spacious, with acceptable cross-country characteristics.
Based on this, Ukraine's Ministry of Defense formulated requirements for domestic manufacturers regarding development of a vehicle that will surpass this APC in protection and firepower categories, while not yielding in cross-country capability. Skif APC was designed within these frameworks, structurally created using serial units and assemblies from foreign manufacturers involved in producing armored vehicle models that are descendants of that same M113.
Like any APC, Skif is designed for transporting personnel of mechanized units and their fire support in combat. Regardless of season, on roads with various surfaces, as well as in off-road conditions.
Skif APC accommodates a crew of three people. These are driver, commander, as well as combat module operator, they're in the front section behind the engine-transmission compartment. Further landing compartment for eight troops placed in the rear section. Exit through ramp. The APC chassis can also be a base for creating a family of various-purpose military armored vehicles using a modular principle.
Skif APC prototype hull is manufactured from aluminum. This is the first experience of domestic companies in using such armor material for creating combat platforms. However, it's not certain that aluminum will be used for manufacturing serial vehicles. There's high probability that considering export restrictions at armor aluminum manufacturers, UkrArmoTech will also develop a steel armor APC version.
This may affect updating requirements for running gear and cause certain changes in vehicle hull design. All decisions will be made considering the entire data array collected during aluminum Skif factory testing.
Factory testing goal of Skif tracked APC prototype is practical verification of new platform concept maturity, its driving qualities, mobility. Maximum permissible loads will be applied. Dynamic testing of all main units will be conducted.
With aluminum concept, Skif's weight in maximum configuration is estimated up to 15 tons. At the same time, diesel engine power is 360 horsepower. The design provides for installation variants of engines from various manufacturers ensuring unification of mounting locations and power plant connection to APC chassis.
The APC should provide ballistic protection in frontal projection according to STANAG 4569 Level 4, side and rear Level 3. Mine protection of bottom and under track levels 3a and 3b. Additional bottom protection is installed. The APC is expected to withstand detonation of 6 kilograms of explosives under track and under bottom.
The APC is also equipped with communications, navigation, situational awareness means, EW means, air conditioning, FVU, etc. from leading Ukrainian enterprises that are UkrArmoTech partners in manufacturing serial wheeled armored vehicles. All parameters and equipment can be adapted to customer requirements.
Main components: engine, transmission, suspension elements, transfer case, tracks UkrArmoTech company plans to ensure through imports. According to preliminary calculations, up to 60% of tracked vehicle components will be imported initially.
Subsequently transition to independent production of separate components and assemblies to expand own competencies and capabilities.
For UkrArmoTech company, the tracked armor activity direction is associated with significant organizational, technological, cooperative, as well as financial challenges. However, company management has a vision of why domestic tracked vehicle development requires significant attention and effort.
In a comment for Defense Express, UkrArmoTech company CEO Hennadiy Khirhiy commented on the business logic regarding starting a new direction for developing and manufacturing specifically tracked armored vehicles:
"First of all, we relied on our contacts with military personnel, on understanding their needs and on experience of using wheeled vehicles on the battlefield. Overall, active combat operations in Ukraine demonstrated the need for significant quantities of armored vehicles to ensure and maintain mobility of Armed Forces units.
Yes, wheels win over tracks when it comes to speed. However, when it comes to maintaining mobility and cross-country capability on difficult soils, through mud, during thaws, etc. tracked armored vehicles have significant advantages over wheeled ones. Tracks are also more resistant to strike means such as mines, artillery shell fragments, small arms, which easily disable rubber tires of armored vehicles and APCs.
Ukraine's military are extremely interested in having in their arsenal in sufficient quantities simple to operate and reliable tracked armored vehicle models like MT-LB or M113 APC. However, in Ukraine, development of own tracked armored vehicles in light and medium weight categories was on pause although such attempts were made before the full-scale war.
Therefore, UkrArmoTech company decided to take on this direction. A corresponding design department was formed, which now handles these projects. The potential of a number of domestic companies cooperating with UkrArmourTech is also being used. We believe that tracked vehicle development and manufacturing can be considered a promising and relevant task for domestic defense-industrial complex enterprises precisely against the backdrop of urgent Ukrainian Defense Forces needs.
We also consider prospects for supplying both our wheeled and tracked armored vehicles to third-country markets. Negotiations about this are already taking place. Our company's participation in international weapons exhibitions in particular, in the Middle East demonstrated a number of states' interest in purchasing Ukrainian weapons created considering combat experience, as well as in joint projects using certain of our technological solutions and competencies.
Read more: Japan's Terra A1 Interceptor Drone Enters Combat Use in Ukraine
