Soldier from Alma Company of 1st Batallion The Yorkshire Regiment in a Warrior vehicle during Exercise Spartan Fight
A soldier from Alma Company of 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment in a Warrior vehicle during Exercise Spartan Fight.
Ukraine

What armoured vehicles is the UK sending to Ukraine?

Soldier from Alma Company of 1st Batallion The Yorkshire Regiment in a Warrior vehicle during Exercise Spartan Fight
A soldier from Alma Company of 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment in a Warrior vehicle during Exercise Spartan Fight.

Earlier this week, the Armed Forces Minister confirmed to Forces News the UK would be sending a number of armoured vehicles to Ukraine.

James Heappey outlined a number of platforms, from personnel carriers to combat vehicles.

But which vehicles will Ukraine be receiving?

Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) – CVRT

Mr Heappey mentioned the UK would be sending 40 Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) vehicles to Ukraine.

The vehicles allow troops to travel around the battlefield, providing information 24 hours a day to commanders, according to the British Army's website.

One example of a CVRT is the Scimitar armoured fighting vehicle and, with both low ground pressure and its small size, it is useful in hostile terrain. 

It comes equipped with a 30mm Rarden cannon for self defence and is used by the Royal Armoured Corps.

Mr Heappey also said the UK would be sending 35 Spartan armoured personnel carriers to Ukraine.

The Spartan, a very small armoured personnel carrier, can transport four people, in addition to a crew of three, and is used to carry small specialised groups, such as reconnaissance teams.

Watch: Ukraine – troops to train in UK ahead of receiving armoured vehicles.

Samaritan and Samson

The UK will also be sending Samaritan and Samson CVRT vehicles to Ukraine.

Both variants of CVRTs, the Samaritan is an armoured ambulance while the Samson is an armoured recovery vehicle.

Protected Patrol Vehicles

The Armed Forces Minister confirmed the UK would be sending "about 80 of the Afghanistan-era protected mobility vehicles" to Ukraine – including Mastiff, Wolfhound and Husky vehicles.

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The Armed Forces Minister said the UK will send "about 80 of the Afghanistan-era protected mobility vehicles" to Ukraine, such as the Mastiff (Picture: MOD).

Mastiff

Mastiff, a heavily armoured 6x6 wheel-drive patrol vehicle, can carry eight troops as well as a two-person crew.

It has a maximum speed of 90 kmp/h and is armed with a 7.62mm machine-gun, 12.7mm heavy machine-gun or a 40mm automatic grenade launcher.

They are also equipped with Bowman radios and electronic countermeasures and are fitted with armour beyond the standard level, the British Army's website says.

Wolfhound

A six-wheeled variant of the Mastiff, the Wolfhound is used to accompany frontline patrols and carry essential combat supplies like water and ammunition.

It is armed with a 7.62 GPMG self defence weapon, can act as a gun tractor and gun limber for the British Army's Royal Artillery's 105 light gun and is equipped with the normal radio and electronic equipment.

	1st Battalion, The Scots Guards, patrolling Lashkar Gar in Helmand Province Afghanistan, in Husky (Protected Highly Mobile Tactical Support Vehicle
James Heappey also confirmed the UK would be sending Husky vehicles to Ukraine (Picture: MOD).

Husky

A protected support vehicle, the Husky is described by the British Army as highly mobile and flexible.

It is designed for a range of missions, including transporting food, water and ammunition but also as a command vehicle at headquarters.

It is equipped with a machine-gun, but some vehicles can be fitted out as specialised recovery vehicles or with a heavy machine gun or grenade machine-gun.

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