Ukraine Receives 50 Turkish-made Kirpi Armored Vehicles

Ukraine’s military has received the first batch of 50 Turkish-made Kirpi armored vehicles.

The Marine detachment of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine received the new armored vehicles, Ukrainian MP Yuriy Mysiahin announced on Telegram. He said two marine brigades were already using these vehicles equipped with armored hull and mine protection.

“Two Marine brigades are already using fifty vehicles. We are expecting another hundred and a half! Machine gun, which can be controlled manually and turned 360 degrees, fire extinguishing system, good mine protection of vehicles, B6 armor level, and 12 fighters+crew,” said Yuriy Mysiahin.

Mysiahin said a second batch of 150 Kirpi vehicles will be handed over to the military soon.

“Two Marine brigades are already using 50 vehicles. We are expecting another hundred and a half! Machine gun, which can be controlled manually and turned 360 degrees, fire extinguishing system, good mine protection of vehicles, B6 armor level, and 12 fighters+crew,” Mysiahin stated.

Kirpi is equipped with an armored monocoque, four bulletproof windows, and a cushioning seat. The vehicle’s engine compartment is located in the front, and the crew compartment is in the middle. The landing compartment extends from the center to the aft part of the hull.

The vehicle is equipped with a mine-explosion-resistant seat. Kirpi 4×4 has the capacity to accommodate up to 13 servicemen, including the driver, machine gunner, and a commander.

The length is 7.35m, the height is 3.2m, and the width is 2.64m. The standard 4×4 version has a loaded weight of 18,085kg, full weight of 19,710kg, and a load capacity of 1,625kg.

Other features include an emergency hatch to allow the crew to leave the armored vehicle in the event of an accident.