Ukraine’s production of Novator armored vehicles to double as Ukrarmor secures larger contracts.

On March 10, 2025, Vladislav Belbas, CEO of Ukrainian Armored Vehicles LLC, also known as Ukrarmor, announced plans to double the production of their Novator armored vehicles in 2025. Speaking on the program "War Summaries of the Day," Belbas stated that despite a difficult start to the year caused by delays in funding three-year contracts, contract volumes have increased by more than two and a half times compared to the previous year. He added that the company is progressing toward its target of doubling production.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

The Novator underwent initial testing by the National Guard of Ukraine in December 2017 and has been in service with the Ukrainian Armed Forces since 2019. (Picture source: Ukrainian Armor)

Belbas stated that domestic manufacturers are capable of meeting the demand for armored vehicles at the front and that Ukrainian-made vehicles offer performance comparable to foreign counterparts, such as the Canadian Roshel Senator. He emphasized Ukrarmor’s focus on maintenance and after-sales service, as well as continuous design adjustments based on operational feedback. Since the start of the war against Russia, Ukrarmor has expanded its production capacity, increasing armored vehicle production by 3.5 times and ammunition production by ten times over the past year. In December 2024, the company completed its Novator production and supply contracts ahead of schedule.

The Novator is a multipurpose infantry mobility vehicle designed in 2017 and produced since 2019. It is built on a reinforced Ford F-550 chassis and has a length of 6.5 meters, a width of 2.35 meters, and a height of 2.3 meters. The vehicle seats two crew members and three passengers. It is armored to the B6+ standard, providing protection against small arms fire and shrapnel. A remote weapon station can be installed as an option.

The vehicle is powered by a 6.7-liter Ford OHV Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel engine, combined with a Ford Torqshift six-speed automatic transmission. It has a maximum speed of 140 km/h and an operational range of 700 km. Additional features include a fire extinguishing system, bulletproof RunFlat tires, reinforced doors and locks, and a suspension adapted for rough terrain. The vehicle underwent initial testing by the National Guard of Ukraine in December 2017 and has been in service with the Ukrainian Armed Forces since 2019. The Novator has also been deployed in combat by special forces, security services, and other military branches, where it has sustained and continued to operate following mine explosions and FPV drone attacks.

Several specialized Novator variants have been developed, including a command and staff vehicle (KShM) and a medical evacuation model. The KShM includes advanced communication systems, operator workstations, and electronic warfare integration. The medical evacuation variant can transport up to six seated or four lying wounded personnel and includes medical compartments and IV hooks. Ukrarmor has also been working on integrating additional payloads such as counter-drone systems and modular combat modules onto the Novator platform.

In July 2024, the first batch of Novator-2 armored vehicles equipped with the AD Kraken Counter FPV F3 electronic warfare system, produced by Kvertus, was delivered to Ukraine’s National Guard. The system, available in two variants (M30 and M50), provides jamming capabilities against FPV drones. The Novator-2 has been distributed among combat brigades and has been tested in operational conditions, including resistance to drone and artillery attacks.

The Novator-2 variant, introduced in September 2023 at the MSPO exhibition in Poland, includes multiple design modifications. It has reinforced suspension, an improved steering system, upgraded armor, and enhanced mine protection. The vehicle accommodates ten occupants, an increase from the original five-person configuration. The Novator-2 has a heavier structure, with its weight increasing from 8,845 kg to 9,660 kg, and its payload capacity rising from 1,845 kg to 3,340 kg. Additional modifications include 5 cm thick bulletproof windows, an extra roof hatch, and an upgraded electronic warfare system.