Delayed delivery of German-funded vehicles puts Ukraine's defence in limbo

The Bild newspaper reports that the delivery of German MRAP armoured vehicles is delayed. The blame for this is attributed to the lack of necessary anti-mine protection certificates for the vehicles and "restrictive export permits from the USA to Germany." The delivery of the first vehicles was supposed to begin in 2023 but will most likely not start until June 2024.

As Bild reports, Ukraine and Flensburger Fahrzeugbau GmbH (FFG) have signed a contract for 400 MRAP armoured vehicles. Germany finances the order, which is £315 million. Preliminary agreements assumed that deliveries would begin in 2023, with the German government providing Ukraine with 20 vehicles per month. As a result, half of the ordered machines were supposed to reach Ukraine within 10 months. However, the Ukrainians have not received a single vehicle so far.

Delays in delivering vehicles to Ukraine are said to stem from several problems. Bild reports that one is the "restrictive export permits from the USA to Germany. The Ukrainian service Militarny points out that poorly adapted logistical and production processes may play a significant role in this case, as the German company Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Society (FFG) produces vehicles under license, performing only the final assembly from American parts.

Another issue is the lack of required certificates. Ukrainians were supposed to receive mine-protected vehicles, but BATT UMG did not pass the appropriate tests, according to Bild. As the newspaper reports, a person with access to confidential information in the ministry confirmed that "by mid-April, no successful explosive material tests had been conducted to obtain the necessary certificates. The mine-protected capability promised by FFG has not yet been proven".

Bild contacted FFG's spokesperson on this matter. He told the newspaper: "The protection level has been successfully tested in the past and is currently being re-examined. The necessary evidence and certificates from responsible research bodies are available".

BATT UMG is an American armoured vehicle developed based on a civilian market platform—the chassis of a Ford F550—and then modified according to the manufacturer's standards, i.e., the American firm TAG, for survivability in conflict zones and tailored to customer orders. The vehicles are nearly 20 feet long, weigh over 10 tonnes, and can standardly accommodate up to 10 people (versions with 2+8 and 2+6 seating arrangements are available).

BATT UMG can reach up to 62 mph and handles well off-road conditions. As mentioned, BATT UMG can provide ballistic and mine protection of STANAG level 2, protecting against 7.62 mm calibre bullets and 6 kg (approximately 13 pounds) explosive charges.