Ukraine receives 11 Gurkha armored vehicles for medical operations.

Ukraine has acquired 11 Gurkha armored vehicles from Canada to enhance its military operations. Designed by Terradyne Armored Vehicles in Ontario, Canada, these vehicles are specially equipped for medical evacuation missions. This announcement was made by the Minister of Digital Transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov, on December 11, 2023.
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The Gurkha is a 4x4 armored vehicle from Canada. (Picture source: United 24)

Fedorov announced that an additional four Gurkhas, provided by United24, have been sent to front-line areas. These units have essential medical equipment to transport and assist injured soldiers.

Fedorov confirmed the purchase of a total of 13 Gurkha vehicles from Canadian suppliers, with 11 already operational in Ukraine. The Gurkha models, built on the Ford F-550 Super Duty chassis, come in three variants. They pay tribute to the Gurkhas, famed Nepalese soldiers known for their service in the British, Indian, and Nepalese armies.

The Gurkha MPV is a 4x4 armored vehicle offering high mobility and protection. Meeting B7/STANAG 2 standards, these vehicles provide comprehensive defense against threats like small arms fire, 7.62mm ammunition, explosives up to 6 kg, and 155 mm high explosive artillery. The Gurkha MPV features a 6.7-liter V8 turbo diesel engine, delivering 330 horsepower and 750 Nm of torque, capable of speeds up to 130 km/h. Its 4x4 drivetrain allows smooth transitions between two- and four-wheel drive.

Weighing approximately 7,484 kg, the Gurkha MPV measures 6.4 meters in length, 2.5 meters in width, and 2.6 meters in height. The vehicles have 4-wheel ventilated disc brakes and an anti-lock braking system (ABS) for enhanced safety during high-speed emergency responses.

Durward Smith, President and CEO of Terradyne, and Oleg Klots, Head of the Logistics Department at the State Enterprise - Medical Supply of Ukraine, highlighted the crucial role of these vehicles in evacuating injured personnel from high-risk areas. The combination of advanced protection, mobility, and durability makes the Gurkha MPVs an asset in Ukraine's efforts to protect its soldiers and civilians.

The entire fleet of 13 Gurkhas, intended for the Medical Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, was purchased at a total cost of 124 million UAH. The funding was raised in December 2022. The state enterprise "Medical Procurements of Ukraine" ordered these specialized armored vehicles.