Vehicle fleet of the Ukrainian army: from independence to defeat
The materiel of the 95th airborne brigade - only Soviet equipment in the frame
One of the foundations of the modern army is the fleet of vehicles. The Armed Forces of Ukraine were no exception. With the collapse of the USSR, they received the largest fleet of vehicles, which included equipment of all major classes and types, capable of solving a lot of transport and other tasks. In the future, attempts were made to update it by all available methods and means, which gave a specific result.
Soviet heritage
The exact number of vehicles inherited by the Ukrainian army after the collapse of the USSR is unknown. According to various sources, we are talking about thousands or tens of thousands of units. The units had a full range of current types of equipment, and masses of obsolete samples remained at the storage bases. All this allowed the army to continue its normal daily work, and also made it possible to earn on the sale of surplus.
All categories of cars were presented in the fleet of the Ukrainian army. So, the basis of the light class were UAZ-469 SUVs in the amount of hundreds or thousands of pieces. From the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant, local units at one time received hundreds of UAZ-452 vans in sanitary and transport versions.
The basis of the active cargo fleet was the cars of the Kremenchug plant - KrAZ-214/250/255/260, etc. There were also trucks GAZ-66, ZIL-131, Ural-4320 and several models of the KamAZ brand. These types of vehicles served in the form of trucks and dump trucks, and were also used as platforms for various special superstructures.
Ural-4320 as an artillery tractor
Remained in the supply of special chassis of high carrying capacity and cross-country ability. MAZ-537, MAZ-543 and ZIL-135 were used as tractors and a base for special equipment.
Together with modern cars, Ukraine got real antiques in the form of ZIL-151, ZIL-157 trucks, etc. However, in the active fleet there was a minimum of such equipment, and most of it remained in storage and was waiting for write-off or sale.
Self-development
The resulting vehicle fleet fully met the requirements and needs of the Ukrainian army, and in some cases even exceeded them. This made it possible to continue operating the equipment in normal mode, using the remaining resource. However, in the XNUMXs, the problem of moral obsolescence and physical deterioration began to appear. The Ministry of Defense had to take measures to upgrade the fleet by purchasing new equipment from its manufacturers and abroad.
Purchases abroad at this stage were carried out mainly in Russia. So, worn-out UAZ-469s were replaced by modern UAZ-3151s. For the same purpose, several dozen used HMMWVs were delivered from the USA. The park of ambulances was also updated - again due to purchases of Russian equipment.
"Gantrak" from the Soviet heritage
At the end of the 6321s, modern models of the Kremenchug Automobile Plant - KrAZ-6322/5233 - were adopted to supply the army. At the same time, deliveries of such equipment began, and over the next few years it was possible to purchase several dozen cars. Later, they began to be supplemented with KrAZ-6510, KrAZ-XNUMX, etc. machines.
Due to the new technology, it was possible to partially update the active army vehicle fleet. Basically, obsolete KrAZ trucks of older models were replaced, but it was not possible to completely abandon them. The situation was similar with the technique of other Soviet models. Despite some renewal of the park, its basis was still made up of products of respectable age with a partially depleted resource.
At the end of the 537s, they also began to update the fleet of heavy tank carriers. The place of the old MAZ-6446 was taken by the modern KrAZ-70. By the middle of the next decade, it was possible to acquire no more than 80-XNUMX of these machines, which only partially covered the needs of the army.
New stage
A new stage in the re-equipment of automotive units began in 2014 and was associated with the start of the civil war. The Ukrainian army realized the gravity of its situation and began to make attempts to correct it. In particular, we again paid attention to the purchase of vehicles of all required types. However, funding problems reappeared, and the development of the fleet ran into difficulties.
KrAZ-260 with a gun in tow
Procurement of vehicles accepted for supply in previous years continued. Contracts were also signed for new types. For example, since 2016, Bogdan-5316 trucks, a localized version of the Belarusian MAZ-6317, have been delivered.
Again paid limited attention to other classes of technology. So, in 2016-17. purchased a hundred ambulances "Bogdan-2251". It is curious that the Chinese SUV of the Ukrainian assembly became the basis for it. At the same time, the finished sample caused complaints of a technical and economic nature.
Help Wanted
The problems of 2014 received several more characteristic solutions. In the same year, the army, experiencing shortages of vehicles, began to mobilize transport from the national economy. In addition, various volunteer organizations have joined in the search for equipment. Then Ukraine managed to get foreign assistance in the form of the necessary equipment.
As reported later, due to the mobilization of civilian transport and through the collection of donations in 2014, the army received more than 6 thousand vehicles of various models and classes. In the following years, several thousand more cars were attracted. These were mainly used cars of commercial models from different organizations. We also managed to repair and restore obsolete equipment from storage.
American AN / TPQ-36 radars on the HMMWV chassis
In 2015, new deliveries of American HMMWV SUVs began. They underwent repairs, received one or another equipment, armor and weapons. HMMWVs were also supplied as carriers of special equipment, such as counter-battery radars or communication stations.
Since 2014-15 contracts were regularly concluded for the supply of trucks and chassis of German, French, Italian and other production. They occupied the niche of the old GAZ-66 and ZIL-131, but a complete replacement of such equipment was excluded due to insufficient supplies. Imported cars were used as vehicles and as carriers of various systems.
Some deliveries of foreign automotive equipment of all classes continued within the framework of foreign aid almost until recently. Together with the purchases of Ukrainian equipment, they eventually improved the condition of the active vehicle fleet. However, obsolete Soviet-made equipment was forced to remain in operation, and its replacement was possible only in the medium or long term.
In the process of demilitarization
The exact state of the vehicle fleet of the Ukrainian army at the beginning of this year is not known for certain. Considering news recent years, we can assume the presence of a total of thousands of vehicles suitable for operation. Basically, these are trucks that can be used to transport manpower and various cargoes. In addition, it is known about the handicraft restructuring of cars into carriers of various weapons - from pickup trucks with machine guns to trucks with anti-aircraft guns.
Medical vehicle "Bogdan-2251"
After the start of the Special Military Operation of the Russian armed forces, the Ukrainian army suffered natural losses, incl. in automotive technology. According to our Ministry of Defense, more than 600 units have been destroyed so far. automotive and special equipment.
At the same time, the actual losses of the Ukrainian army are much higher. A certain number of vehicles could become "collateral damage" during strikes against key military infrastructure. In addition, the Ukrainian military, retreating, often abandon serviceable equipment, incl. cars. A number of vehicles were taken with battle as trophies.
If the current Kiev authorities do not agree to a peaceful solution to current military-political issues, their army will face new blows. Accordingly, there will be new losses of automotive equipment. A few more days of such demilitarization could put the Ukrainian military vehicle fleet on the brink of survival - and with it, army logistics.
Devastating results
Thus, the observed story of the automobile fleet of the armed forces of Ukraine does not look the best - and almost does not differ from the history of other structures, military branches, etc. Independent Ukraine received large quantities of materiel, as well as a scientific, technical and industrial base for its operation and the creation of new samples.
Communication station on Renault chassis
However, the independent state and its army failed to competently manage this resource and backlog. They failed to maintain the required size of the vehicle fleet and ensure its timely and full-scale renewal due to modern equipment of their own and foreign production. All attempts at such modernization faced certain problems and did not give all the desired results.
Now, due to the fault of the military and political leadership, the fleet is suffering constant and numerous losses. A significant part of the equipment is disabled, and such losses are likely to continue. At the same time, along with cars, the army loses mobility and logistical capabilities. It remains to be hoped that in Kyiv they will come to their senses and stop resistance. And then Ukraine will have a fleet of vehicles suitable for the subsequent restoration of the national economy of a demilitarized and denazified country.
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