Ukraine deploys British FV180 CET Armored Engineering Vehicle in Kursk region.

On November 3, 2024, The Dead District reported that the British FV180 Combat Engineer Tractor (CET) had been sighted in operation with Ukraine's 3rd Assault Brigade. This armored engineering vehicle, known for its specialized combat engineering capabilities, appears to have been sourced through private sellers rather than directly from the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD), as there is no indication of recent MOD supplies of these vehicles.
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The British FV180 Combat Engineer Tractor (CET) offers practical advantages for Ukraine's 3rd Assault Brigade in the Kursk region due to the local geography, which presents natural barriers that can complicate military maneuvers. (Picture source: 3rd Assault Brigade)

The FV180 CET, a tracked and lightly armored vehicle, was originally designed to support combat engineering tasks such as constructing defenses, creating vehicle slots, and removing obstacles in hostile environments. Built with amphibious capabilities, the CET was widely utilized by the British Royal Engineers during the Falklands War, Middle Eastern conflicts, and in the Balkans. Its range of operations included preparing terrain for military bridges, digging defensive emplacements, constructing protective berms, repairing damaged roads, recovering disabled vehicles, and clearing armored obstacles. The vehicle’s distinctive amphibious functionality allowed it to navigate water obstacles and ascend steep banks by deploying a rocket-propelled anchor, earning it the nickname “The Frog.”

Entering service with the British Army in the 1970s, the FV180 CET became a mainstay of the Royal Engineers before its gradual phase-out around 2006-2007. It was officially replaced by the Terrier Armoured Digger in 2013, a newer vehicle that offers enhanced protection, advanced night vision, and remote operation capabilities for high-risk scenarios. Despite this transition, the CET remains an effective engineering asset, with a presence in the armed forces of countries like India and Singapore, and now Ukraine, where it is evidently serving under challenging operational conditions.

The FV180 CET has a mass of 17.5 tonnes, a length of 7.54 meters, a width of 2.94 meters, and a height of 2.67 meters. Its two-person crew operates in tandem positions, allowing flexibility in maneuvering and operating the vehicle's equipment. The CET is equipped with honeycombed twin-skin aluminum alloy armor and powered by a 320 hp Rolls-Royce C6TFR engine, offering a power-to-weight ratio of 19 hp per tonne. This combination provides a top road speed of 56 km/h and an operational range of up to 480 kilometers. In amphibious mode, it achieves a maximum water speed of 8.5 knots, propelled by two Dowty water impellers controlled by the commander. The vehicle’s amphibious operations are further supported by a "wash board" attachment that prevents water from entering the crew compartment, while flotation aids help balance the vehicle during swimming.

The CET’s equipment includes a large rear-mounted earthmoving bucket and an 8-tonne winch, enabling the vehicle to clear obstacles, dig defensive positions, and perform towing operations. A unique Auxiliary Lifting Attachment (ALA) was used in the past for lifting loads up to four tonnes, although this feature was discontinued in the 1990s. For added operational safety, the CET is equipped with Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) protective systems, ensuring crew safety in contaminated environments through an air filtration unit that supplies clean air and assists in inflating flotation aids when needed.

Although formally retired from British service, the FV180 Combat Engineer Tractor (CET) offers practical advantages for Ukraine's 3rd Assault Brigade in the Kursk region due to the area’s specific terrain and operational conditions. Kursk Oblast's geography includes a rolling plateau with shallow valleys and river networks, notably the Seym and Tuskar, which present natural barriers that can complicate military maneuvers. The CET’s amphibious design enables it to cross water obstacles and manage steep riverbanks using a rocket-propelled anchor. Additionally, the region’s fertile black soil, or chernozem, supports dense vegetation that can obstruct the construction of defensive positions and complicate obstacle clearance. The CET’s earthmoving bucket and winch allow for the efficient creation of berms, defensive positions, and the removal of obstructions, providing flexibility in establishing defensive lines and enhancing operational mobility.