Kyiv, June 26, 2026 — Ukrainian Armor’s Protector unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) is being deployed on Ukraine’s front lines to support high-risk logistics missions, helping transport essential supplies while reducing the exposure of military personnel to enemy fire. Originally developed for logistics and casualty evacuation, the platform is also being adapted for combat and air defense roles.
Supporting Frontline Logistics
Personnel from the 429th Unmanned Systems Brigade "Achilles" are using the domestically produced Protector UGV to deliver food, ammunition, equipment, and other supplies to frontline positions in contested areas.
According to military personnel, the vehicle has transported nearly one metric ton of cargo in a single mission, exceeding its official payload capacity of 700 kilograms. A single delivery can provide enough food, ammunition, and equipment to sustain a frontline unit for approximately one week.
The Protector has also demonstrated its survivability during operations. In one mission, it sustained shrapnel damage from an enemy FPV drone but remained operational and completed its cargo delivery. During a later logistics mission, the same vehicle struck a landmine while returning from its objective, causing damage that made recovery impossible.
Ukrainian Armor said the Protector has become an important component of frontline military logistics by enabling cargo deliveries into high-threat environments while reducing risks to personnel.
Procurement and Production
The current deployment follows a framework agreement signed in February 2026 between Ukrainian Armor and the Defense Procurement Agency (DPA) of Ukraine's Ministry of Defense for the supply of Protector UGVs. The agreement was announced by Ukrainian Armor CEO Vladyslav Belbas.
The Ministry of Defense officially codified the Protector in the summer of 2025, authorizing its widespread use by Ukraine's defense forces. Earlier this year, the vehicle also became available through the Brave1 Market platform at a listed price of 3.9 million Ukrainian Hryvnias (UAH).
Technical Specifications
The Protector is one of Ukraine's largest unmanned ground vehicles, with a total weight capacity of up to 4,000 kilograms. It measures 5,070 mm in length, 1,900 mm in width, and 1,090 mm in height.
Powered by a 190-horsepower diesel engine with an all-wheel-drive system and run-flat tires, the vehicle is designed for cross-country mobility. It can travel at speeds between 50 and 90 km/h, depending on terrain, and has an operational range of approximately 400 kilometers.
The platform is protected by STANAG 4569 Level 1 ballistic protection and is remotely operated through secure communication links. Its standard control range is 12 kilometers, while integration with the ICoMWare situational awareness system has extended secure operating distances to more than 15 kilometers.
In addition to cargo transport, the Protector can evacuate up to three casualties on stretchers.
Expanding Combat and Air Defense Roles
Ukrainian Armor has integrated the Tavriia-12.7 remote-controlled combat module onto the Protector. The system mounts a 12.7mm Browning M2 heavy machine gun with a digital fire-control system capable of engaging both ground and aerial targets while the vehicle is moving.
The company is also testing integration of the Tryzub laser weapon system, designed to intercept FPV drones at ranges of 800–900 meters and long-range Shahed drones at distances of up to five kilometers.
In addition, Ukrainian Armor is developing a version of the Protector that can serve as a mobile launch platform for interceptor drones, expanding the platform's role beyond logistics into autonomous battlefield air defense.
The Protector's growing deployment highlights Ukraine's continued effort to expand the use of unmanned ground systems for logistics, casualty evacuation, combat support, and air defense while reducing risks to personnel operating on the front lines.
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