Ukraine develops British Husky TSV armored vehicles
British Husky TSV in one of the Ukrainian parts
The UK is transferring several types of armored vehicles to Ukraine. Recently it became known about the delivery of the first batch of machines such as Husky TSV. With their help, Ukrainian formations will be able to partially restore recent losses and to some extent improve their capabilities. However, in general, the prospects for such assistance are obvious - armored cars will not have a noticeable impact on current events, and then they will add to the list of losses.
Armored supplies
Back in early April, it became known that the UK plans to help Ukraine by supplying a certain number of armored vehicles. Soon the first details appeared in the British media. It was alleged that the Ministry of Defense of the kingdom is ready to allocate armored vehicles that were previously in operation and are now in reserve or in storage. It was also planned to train Ukrainian crews.
It was about 120 combat and auxiliary vehicles of four types. It was planned to send three-axle Mastiff armored vehicles, protected Wolfhound trucks, as well as lighter Husky TSV armored vehicles to Ukraine. In addition, several dozen FV103 Spartan tracked armored personnel carriers were allocated. The number of cars of each model has not yet been specified.
It took several weeks to prepare the equipment and other procedures, and deliveries did not begin until May. From the end of May appear news on the development of such machines by the recipient army. So, the first photos and videos with Husky armored cars in parts appeared on Ukrainian resources on June 10-11.
Armored cars in Zaporozhye region
A few days later, footage from the war zone was published. It is alleged that units on the Husky TSV are deployed on the territory of the Zaporozhye region, which is still controlled by the Ukrainian army. Details of the use of such a technique are not yet available.
In addition, there have not yet been reports of the destruction of such armored cars or taking them as a trophy. Obviously, the main reason for this is their recent entry into the unit. As practice shows, the loss of new technology is only a matter of time.
Foreign development
Like some other modern British Army armored cars, the Husky TSV is of foreign origin. This machine was developed and produced by the American corporation Navistar International. Its basic version called MXT-MVA (Military Extreme Truck - Military Version Armored) was first introduced in 2006 at the US Army Association conference.
In the middle of the 2008s, the MXT-MVA multi-purpose machine and several of its modifications passed factory tests. Then they were submitted to the Pentagon M-ATV competition, the purpose of which was to select a promising protected transport for ground units. In XNUMX, an armored car from Oshkosh became the winner of the competition, and Navistar International had to look for new customers.
During this period, the British army was looking for a new armored car. She needed an MRAP machine with a high level of ballistic and mine protection, which could be obtained in the near future. It was planned to send such armored cars to Afghanistan and use them to replace the protected modification of the Land Rover SUV, which did not meet all the requirements.
British Army Husky
The UK Ministry of Defense got acquainted with the available offers and chose the MXT-MVA armored car. In April 2009, a contract appeared for the production and supply of 262 such vehicles in an updated configuration, and a few months later the first such armored car was shown. By the end of the year, the first batch of equipment was handed over to the customer. Armored cars were adopted under the name Husky Tactical Support Vehicle (TSV).
Already next year, an additional order for 89 armored vehicles appeared. The implementation of two contracts continued until 2012, and as a result, the UK received 351 units. new technology. A significant part of the armored cars was soon deployed in Afghanistan and actively operated. Quite quickly, the new armored cars demonstrated superiority over the armored Land Rover.
However, a few years later, the British army left Afghanistan, which is why the future of the Husky and other MRAP armored cars was in question. Soon the reduction of the park began. To date, the British army had 320 machines of this type, of which 120 were transferred to the reserve or put into storage.
Now, unnecessary equipment has found new owners. A number of Husky TSVs are being transferred to Ukraine. In addition, at the end of May it became known that 70 of these machines will continue to serve in the armed forces of Ghana.
Technical features
The Husky TSV and base MXT-MVA are MRAP-class armored vehicles on a two-axle all-wheel drive chassis. In terms of main components and assemblies, the armored car is maximally unified with the International MXT commercial truck. It can carry up to six people, including the driver, and also take some cargo on board.
The two-axle armored car is equipped with an International VT 365 diesel engine with an HP 325 power. and Allison 2500SP transmission with power distribution to all wheels. The undercarriage has an independent lever suspension. The declared maximum speed on the highway is more than 100 km / h. Power reserve - 400 km.
"Husky" has an armored hull bonnet layout with a two-row cockpit. Behind the cab is a cargo platform. The hull has modular armor from Plasan Sasa. It is reported about bulletproof and anti-fragmentation protection, as well as protection against undermining. However, the exact level of protection is unknown.
A rotary turret with circular armor is installed on the roof of the hull. It can be equipped with a normal or large caliber machine gun or an automatic grenade launcher. Application of personal weapons the crew is not provided, and there are no loopholes in the hull.
Objective limitations
Until February, the Ukrainian army had several hundred armored vehicles, which can be considered as analogues of the British Husky. However, in recent months this park has undergone forced demilitarization and has been drastically reduced. Foreign countries are trying to supply their equipment, but the restoration of the former numbers is far away, and new blows and losses prevent this.
In recent weeks, the UK has handed over to Ukraine several dozen armored vehicles, incl. a number of two-axle "Husky". There is no reason to believe that such supplies will positively affect the state of the Ukrainian army. There is too little technology, and it will not make up for the losses incurred.
Quality indicators, apparently, are also far from ideal. So, at one time, Husky / MXT-MVA lost the Oshkosh M-ATV armored car in the competition, which indicates some technical problems or limited performance. At the same time, such a machine suited the British army and did not cause any particular complaints during operation.
In the course of work in Afghanistan, the Huskies showed themselves well and coped with the assigned work. However, in the current situation, their prospects are doubtful. Armored cars of the MRAP class were created for low-intensity conflicts and use against partisan formations. However, Ukraine is trying to resist a full-fledged modern army with all the necessary troops and weapons. Accordingly, armored cars are exposed to serious risks both on the front line and in the rear - and at any moment they can be hit.
Generally useless
According to current plans, the UK is to transfer to Ukraine 120 armored vehicles for transporting personnel - three types of wheeled armored vehicles and one tracked armored personnel carrier. Deliveries have begun, and some of the vehicles have already entered the war zone. At the same time, their potential is very limited, and the prospects in the current situation do not give the Ukrainian side any reason for optimism.
The reasons for this are known and understandable. London is trying to help the Kyiv regime to solve its own military-political problems. At the same time, the scale of such assistance is limited by the quantitative and qualitative capabilities of the British army. By helping Ukraine, the UK - and not only it - does not want to harm its own armed forces. Such an approach completely excludes any changes in the situation in favor of the Ukrainian side and can only delay the course of hostilities. But even this completely suits foreign "partners".
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