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Russian Army Receives New UBIM Armored Engineering Vehicle for Rapid Deployment in Ukraine.
On January 21, 2025, Russian media reported that the Russian Armed Forces have begun receiving the newly developed Universal Armored Engineering Vehicle (UBIM), which is expected to significantly bolster the combat effectiveness of the Engineering Troops in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In a recent interview, Lieutenant General Yuri Stavitsky, Chief of the Russian Armed Forces Engineering Troops, highlighted the vehicle’s advanced combat and engineering capabilities, noting that it will play a pivotal role in supporting Russian military operations in hostile environments.
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The Russian-made UBIM Armored Engineering Vehicle, based on the T-90M tank chassis, combines powerful mobility, firepower, and engineering capabilities for rapid deployment in combat zones, including mine clearing and fortification tasks in Ukraine. (Picture source: Vitaly Kuzmin)
The Russian-made UBIM engineer armored vehicle was first introduced to the public at the Army-2018 international military-technical forum in Kubinka, near Moscow, where it was showcased in a fully operational configuration. Developed by Uralvagonzavod (UVZ), a subsidiary of the state corporation Rostec, the UBIM is a modern armored engineering vehicle built on the robust chassis of the T-90M main battle tank. This design choice allows the UBIM to combine the mobility and firepower of a tank with the functionality of an engineering platform capable of performing critical support roles in modern warfare.
Weighing in at over 50 tons, the UBIM is powered by a 1,130-horsepower engine, which offers greater mobility and performance than its predecessor, the IMR-3M, currently in service with the Russian army. The UBIM is equipped with a remotely controlled weapon station (RCWS) that is armed with a Kord 12.7mm heavy machine gun, providing the vehicle with enhanced defensive capabilities while performing engineering tasks in dangerous environments.
The UBIM is engineered to undertake a wide range of engineering duties, such as mine clearing, fortification building, and obstacle clearing, all while maintaining operational capabilities in contaminated or hostile environments. According to Russian Ministry of Defense statements, one of the key design principles behind the UBIM is its ability to operate under fire, ensuring that it can continue performing vital engineer tasks even in the midst of ongoing combat operations.
Currently, the Russian army employs the IMR-3M series of armored engineer vehicles, with the latest model being one of the cornerstones of engineering support on the battlefield. The IMR-3M, with a less powerful 840-hp engine, offers a crane capable of lifting up to 2 tons and a less sophisticated U-blade for obstacle removal. While the IMR-3M weighs slightly less at around 49.5 tons, it lacks the UBIM's advanced weaponry and firepower, which makes the UBIM a more formidable presence on the battlefield, especially in contested zones.
The UBIM’s enhanced capabilities are expected to complement and eventually replace the IMR-3M in certain roles. However, it is also speculated that both vehicles could be integrated into a two-tier engineer system, where the IMR-3M would continue to perform less complex tasks, while the UBIM would take on the most challenging operations. This combination would give the Russian military a versatile and comprehensive engineering capability that can adapt to a wide range of battlefield conditions.
The UBIM is seen as a potential game-changer for the Russian engineering units, as it fills an essential gap in current armored engineering vehicles. While it is not specifically tasked with evacuating damaged vehicles—an area where the IMR-3M has been used extensively—the UBIM could theoretically be refitted for such purposes. This would provide the Russian army with an all-in-one self-propelled engineer vehicle capable of performing a wide array of tasks, from construction and fortification to evacuation and recovery operations.
Moreover, Uralvagonzavod could eventually introduce the UBIM to the global defense market, offering it as a versatile and cutting-edge solution for modern armies in need of advanced armored engineering vehicles. The development of the UBIM may, therefore, signal the beginning of a new era in military engineering equipment, one where firepower, mobility, and engineering capabilities are seamlessly integrated into a single platform.
The importance of modern armored engineer vehicles, like the UBIM, in the context of the war in Ukraine cannot be overstated. As the conflict continues to evolve with entrenched frontlines, urban warfare, and the heavy use of artillery and mines, the ability to quickly and efficiently clear obstacles, repair infrastructure, and fortify positions is crucial. Engineer vehicles such as the UBIM are vital in facilitating troop movements, ensuring supply lines remain open, and reinforcing defensive structures under fire. The addition of enhanced firepower and armored protection allows these vehicles to perform these critical tasks while minimizing risk to personnel. In Ukraine, where contested and heavily mined zones have become common, the UBIM’s capabilities in mine clearing and battlefield engineering operations will be especially valuable. These vehicles also offer the flexibility to adapt to various needs, from engineering support in contaminated environments to providing direct fire support, making them indispensable assets for the Russian army as it faces increasingly complex challenges on the battlefield.
The deployment of the UBIM Armored Engineer Vehicle represents a significant leap forward for the Russian Armed Forces, enhancing the capabilities of its Engineering Troops in crucial areas such as battlefield mobility, fire support, and defensive operations. As the conflict in Ukraine continues, the UBIM’s advanced features and versatility are expected to provide substantial support to Russian military operations, potentially altering the dynamics of engineering operations in modern warfare. The vehicle’s robust design and high-performance specifications position it as a successor to the IMR-3M, ensuring that Russian engineering units remain effective in a wide range of combat scenarios.