From the Armed Forces to civilian life: how the approach to vehicle armoring is changing in Ukraine

The war of the 21st century is a war of technology. And armored vehicles are no longer limited to tanks. Ukraine is actively moving from imports to its own production of armored vehicles that help not only to attack but also to save. LIGA.Tech explored how armored vehicles have evolved – from the British Mark I to Ukrainian Novator, robot drones and German Leopard – and found out whether it is possible to armor your own car.The First and Second World Wars – where it all beganThe emergence of tanks during World War I radically changed the tactics of combat. In 1916, the British first used the Mark I, the first tank in combat. These early tanks combined mobility and armor, effectively changing the dynamics of ground warfare and laying the foundation for modern armored vehicles.In World War II, armored vehicles became the main tool for rapid offensives. The German Panzer IV and Soviet T-34 set the standards of combat effectiveness for years to come: high speed, protection, firepower.The Cold War brought a new generation of armored vehicles – M1 Abrams (USA), Leopard 2 (Germany). Composite armor, electronics, stabilizers, thermal imagers – armored vehicles have become smart and deadly.The evolution of armored vehicles continued in the XXI century, adapting to the complex challenges of modern warfare.See also Cars made of garbage and combat vehicles from KPI. The most interesting cars developed by studentsThe Role of Armored Vehicles in Modern WarfareArmored vehicles play an indispensable role in modern warfare, being a critical component of modern military operations. Its robust design protects soldiers from a range of threats, including small arms fire and explosive devices. This level of protection allows ground troops to interact more effectively in the interior environment.In addition to their defensive capabilities, armored vehicles are designed to increase mobility and firepower. Tanks, combat vehicles and armored personnel carriers provide coordinated movement and support on the battlefield. Their ability to safely transport troops while delivering lethal fire is vital to successful maneuvers.In Ukrainian realities armored vehicles have been used since the beginning of the ATO, and now they can be seen not only at the front, but also in the frontline areas where evacuation of civilians or demining of newly liberated territories is required.The Armed Forces of Ukraine use various variants of armored vehicles, and many of them are produced in Ukraine. About the development of the Inguar-3 armored car by KPI students, LIGA.Tech has already written earlier.Leading armored vehicle manufacturers in UkraineAmong the key Ukrainian manufacturers of armored vehicles are Ukrainian Armored Vehicles LLC and NPO Practika. Both companies produce equipment that is already actively used by the Armed Forces at the front. VARTA-2 is a heavy armored vehicle weighing 14 tons and designed to NATO standards. The vehicle has spaced armor and ballistic protection Level 2 according to STANAG (NATO safety standard class). The vehicle is equipped with mine protection and is powered by a 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel engine with 360 hp and an Allison 3200SP automatic transmission. Ground clearance – 400 mm.In 2024, an updated version of the armored vehicle was also shown "Novator-2". The improvements were coordinated with the military and included better armor protection, and 5 cm thick windows were installed. Additional mine-resistant seats were also installed. In addition, a hatch was installed in the rear for evacuation and as an additional point of fire .The protection remained the same as in the previous version – the vehicle can withstand 7.62 mm bullets, the V-shaped bottom can withstand the simultaneous detonation of two RGD-5 grenades, and with armored glass, there were cases when it withstood a hit from a 12.7 mm machine gun, writes the Defence Express.Read also Do internal combustion engines have a future and why electric cars won't save the planetThe curb weight of the machine is 9660 kg, and the payload has increased to 3340 kg compared to the previous modification. "The machine has become much heavier, all of which is placed on the rear wheels. Accordingly, it is necessary to carefully force difficult areas – mud, sand – and do it with preliminary preparation," said columnist Serhiy Voloshchenko in the Big Test. UGV Protector – unmanned armorAnother interesting Ukrainian development is the unmanned armored platform UGV Protector. It has a Level 1 ballistic protection level according to STANAG. The vehicle weighs 4 tons and is equipped with a 190 hp diesel engine. The maximum speed is 60 km/h. The range is 10-15 km .Leopard, Gepard and RCH 155: how German armor will receive Ukrainian serviceIn January 2024, Ukraine set up a joint venture with German armor manufacturer KNDS to service the equipment handed over to the Armed Forces, Minister of Strategic Industries Herman Smetanin said. KNDS produces Leopard 1/2, Gepard, Panzerhaubitze 2000 and the latest RCH 155 self-propelled artillery systems, which are already in use at the front.In addition to the army, armored vehicles are also used by pyrotechnics of the State Emergency Service. For their needs, several Ukrainian companies, including Transformers in Prykarpattia., are engaged in armoring carsProblems and limitations of armored vehiclesArmored vehicles are vital in modern military operations, but there are a number of problems and limitations that can reduce their effectiveness on the battlefield. One of the problems is that modern anti-tank guided missiles and improvised explosive devices have shown the ability to penetrate even the heaviest armored structures, making traditional defense measures insufficient.Read alsoUkrainian armored vehicles "Dzhura" and "Kozak" to be produced in SpainBetween mid-2014 and early 2022, the Armed Forces and other components of the Defense Forces purchased dozens of armored vehicles from various manufacturers and modifications. In addition, there is a considerable number of Ukrainian developments. But such diversity has disadvantages. According to Oleh Omelnytskyi, director of the Center for Army, Conversion and Disarmament Studies, this "zoo of armored vehicles and various pickups" has obvious disadvantages – the need to purchase components from different parts of the world and to master the maintenance and use of a large number of vehicles from different brands.We don't have a common military SUV or pickup truck, so if a vehicle is damaged, it is not easy to repair it. If a vehicle is damaged, it becomes difficult or impossible to repair it in the field.In addition to maintenance and lack of protection, armored vehicles often face environmental issues. Their weight and size limit their maneuverability, making them less effective on rough terrain or in urban environments. This limitation can lead to rapid deployment and response in dynamic combat scenarios that require flexibility and maneuverability. And this issue is already being addressed.Therefore, in September 2024, the Ministry of Defense authorized the use of an all-terrain amphibious vehicle TAKHA, developed by Ukrainian engineers.The TAKHA codified transporter is a military version of the well-known off-road vehicle SHERP in several specialized modifications. It is not armored, but has excellent driving characteristics for operation in the most difficult terrain and seasonal conditions. It is able to overcome obstacles over 1 meter high, swamps, mudflats, and deep snow.It uses ultra-low-pressure tires with a powerful tread, and the wheel design is patented. The advantage of the wheels for the military is that due to their elasticity, they are less susceptible to damage and can be quickly inflated with exhaust gas at the touch of a button.Can I armor my own carIn modern warfare, a car is not just a means of transportation. It is mobility, evacuation, delivery, logistics and even a combat unit. That is why the issue of armoring civilian cars has become extremely relevant for volunteers, soldiers and concerned citizens who want to help the Armed Forces of Ukraine.According to car expert Oleksiy Sergienko of MakeCar service station, specially "armored" cars do not come off the factory assembly line; they are manually converted from civilian cars. To do this, the vehicle's design is completely changed: the lining and electricity are removed, and only a "bare capsule" remains. Then, inside the cabin, they assemble their own armored capsule made of special steel that fully protects the passengers inside.Read also The dark side of electric cars: why old batteries are a threat to the environmentAs a result, the weight of the car increases, so the chassis needs to be reinforced. Standard components (springs, shock absorbers) are replaced with more powerful ones that can compensate for the increased weight and maintain the handling and comfort of a production vehicle.Glass is also armored to withstand bullets from automatic weapons. And protective elements are installed under the car's factory panels. Special insert rings are put on the wheel rim, so that the car will drive even if the tires are shot.All the necessary parts for armor conversion are purchased only from licensed manufacturers to avoid warranty issues when visiting the equipment station in the future.Some car manufacturers also armor cars, for example Mercedes-Benz. Potential weaknesses are identified during complex testing procedures with the use of weapons and are eliminated by specialists in the process.Any vehicle for civilian use can be armored, but you need to obtain a conclusion from the Road Safety Center that the converted vehicle does not pose a threat to traffic on the road. Also, a special note is made in the technical passport for the car.The history of armored vehicles is a testament to human ingenuity in warfare. From primitive beginnings in ancient civilizations to the unmanned vehicles we see today. Armored vehicles have continuously evolved to meet the requirements of battle tactics and strategy. The same thing happens with civilian cars, if necessary and if you have the finances – you can armor any car nowadays.