Upgraded Novator vehicle from Ukrainian Armor: developer shares details

At the The International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO) exhibition in Poland, Ukrainian Armor presented an updated version of the Novator armored vehicle, which received qualitatively new characteristics and capabilities, according to Defense Express.

Vladyslav Belbas, the company's director, told Espreso about the upgraded version of the armored vehicle, the basic version of which has been supplied to the Armed Forces of Ukraine for several years. 

Photo: Defense Express

"This modification is one of the versions of the Novator, which has been supplied to the army since 2018 in a version for transporting 10 soldiers. The vehicle we demonstrated was also equipped with a remotely controlled combat module with a 12.7 mm machine gun. The vehicle's suspension was redesigned and reinforced due to the increase in weight and mine protection was strengthened," said Vladyslav Belbas.

The increase in weight also forced the designers to switch to more modern, stronger, but thinner armor steel. And the strengthening of the suspension means that the vehicle can be used to produce not only transportation options, which is facilitated by the conceptual approach to creating a modular vehicle.

Photo: Defense Express

Also, noteworthy is the combat module. It is distinguished by advanced sighting devices. And obviously, it has thermal imaging and daylight channels.

Photo: Defense Express

According to the head of Ukrainian Armor, the choice of this combat module is a compromise of the price-performance ratio and expediency as such. Defense Express specialists point out that this is an MRAP (mine resistant ambush protected - ed.), and many other serial models of armored vehicles of this class are generally limited to a machine gun turret.

Photo: Defense Express

And the demonstrated combat module features a modern fire control system, which is conceptually similar to the one installed on the Oncilla.

The upgraded Novator also retains some quite convenient equipment elements, such as additional driver's view cameras.

Photo: Defense Express

At the same time, the participation of Ukrainian Armor in MSPO, as its head noted, is not to demonstrate developments for sale. It is actually a reverse process - the involvement of foreign companies in the production of Ukrainian weapons.

"The main purpose of participating in such exhibitions now is to search for cooperation ties, to find partners for the supply of components, elements, materials, etc. That is, we are now at the stage of expanding production in all areas from armored vehicles to ammunition," emphasized Vladyslav Belbas.

He also added that another task is establishing service and repair centers to support the donated Western equipment. At the same time, foreign partners are quite ready to cooperate actively and have no concerns.