Ukraine gets first 10 Protector ground robots: Key features and capabilities
Photo: Protector (NAUDI)
Four units of the Ukrainian National Guard have received the first 10 Protector unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). In total, 100 such vehicles have been contracted for the National Guard with financial support from the German government, according to the National Association of Ukrainian Defense Industries (NAUDI).
Protector
The system is designed to perform logistics and evacuation missions in combat zones. It can deliver ammunition, food, fuel and lubricants, engineering equipment, and other cargo, as well as evacuate the wounded, thereby reducing risks to personnel.
The Protector has a payload capacity of 1,480 kg, and the maximum weight of the trailer it can tow is 4 metric tons. This allows for the transport of significant volumes of essential supplies in a single trip.
"The automation of logistics allows us to carry out important tasks without unnecessary risk to personnel," notes the company's CEO, Vladyslav Belbas.
How system performing on the front lines
The Protector is already being used by the Ukrainian military on the front lines. Specifically, the system is in operation with a separate artillery brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine and will be deployed in the Dobropillia sector.
"The system has already proven itself in our brigade. I would especially like to highlight its responsiveness and smooth handling in less-than-ideal conditions. Its power, speed, and payload capacity speak for themselves. For our artillery brigade, one of the key tasks is transporting heavy ammunition. And this is precisely where the Protector can significantly reduce risks to personnel," notes Sergeant Yevhen Kocherhin of the Ukrainian National Guard's separate artillery brigade.
Ground-based robotic systems are increasingly becoming a standard part of frontline logistics: in August, RBC-Ukraine reported on which specific models—TerMIT, Rys PRO, Simba, Ardal, Zmiy, and Ratel—the Ukrainian Defense Forces showcased at the Independence Day parade.
In addition to ground robots, the company Ukrainian Armor supplies the Defense Forces with other developments: earlier that same month, RBC-Ukraine reported on the Varta and Novator armored vehicles, whose armored capsules can withstand strikes from kamikaze drones and fire from large-caliber machine guns.
