April 3, 2014 By Richard Tomkins (UPI)

Ukrainian industry has stepped up to the plate in the country's dispute with Russia, saying it can soon supply armored personnel carriers to the National Guard.

Ukraine’s state-owned enterprise, Ukroboronprom, says it's ready to supply 74 armored personnel carriers to the military “in the nearest future.”

The APCs would equip 10 military units of the National Guard of Ukraine. In total 100 vehicles are to be supplied, Ukroboronprom’s temporary Acting Director Yuriy Tereshenko said.

Ukraine, once part of the now-defunct Soviet Union, is in a territorial and political crisis with Russia, which has annexed the Crimea region of the country.

The takeover, which has not been recognized by the United Nations, and the reported deployment of thousands of Russian troops to the region, has fueled fear that the remainder of Ukraine could face Russian-inspired political unrest or worse.

“These vehicles will significantly enhance combat capabilities of the units of the National Guard of Ukraine,” Tereshenko said. He said Ukroboronprom will do its best for the qualitative increase of national defense capability and fight readiness of the armed forces and other state military organizations.

According to Tereshenko, the government’s Kharkiv Morozov Machne-Building Design Bureau can supply 58 BTR-4 APCs. Ukroboronprom can transfer to the National Guard 16 other APCs of different types. Manufacturing plants of other organizations would also contribute the number of armored personnel carriers.

08.03.2014 Sergyi Way - army-guide.com

Kharkiv, Ukraine -- The State Enterprise “Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau” (KMDB), which is included in the State Concern “Ukroboronprom”, has completed production of a version of the BTR-4 armoured fighting vehicle fitted with additional protection.

The new version of the BTR-4 armoured fighting vehicle enlarges the family of 8x8 armoured vehicles that has already entered series production. KMDB has developed and manufactured a prototype and an add-on armour kit for it. The add-on armour makes it possible to considerably increase the level of protection of the crew and vehicle-borne troops, who are seated inside the BTR-4. This armour can be installed and dismounted by the manpower of the crew under field conditions depending on the planned combat task and the supposed threat.

About the BTR-4 armoured fighting vehicle:

The BTR-4 is an 8x8 amphibious armoured fighting vehicle. The vehicle features a modular design, which enables its basic chassis to be used for development of a family of armoured vehicles. This family comprises an armoured personnel carrier, infantry combat vehicle, command vehicle, command staff vehicle, armoured ambulance, and armoured repair and recovery vehicle. Being able to accommodate various overhead weapon stations and special equipment, the vehicle can be adapted for fulfilment of various combat and auxiliary tasks.

The BTR-4 is in service with the Ukrainian Army. The vehicle is also of great interest for foreign customers.