The Netherlands boosts Ukraine's defence with more armoured vehicles

The Netherlands has decided to hand over additional armoured vehicles to Ukraine. According to the Dutch Ministry of Defense, these will be YPR vehicles with RCWS (Remote Controlled Weapon Station) combat modules. This solution will facilitate the crew's ability to control the weapon from inside. The cars will also be able to provide fire support on the battlefield. Here’s a reminder of what makes the YPR stand out.

During an online meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) held on May 20th at 7 PM Greenwich Time, Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren announced that the Netherlands would provide Ukraine with additional armoured vehicles upon the request of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Ollongren emphasized: "We must continue supporting Ukraine" and added: "Their fight is also our fight. This type of armoured vehicle is essential for Ukraine. They are agile, can rapidly move troops, and can be used for reconnaissance, offensive, and defensive tasks. The remote-controlled weaponry provides added safety for the gunner."

The Dutch Ministry of Defense reports that YPR vehicles will arrive in Ukraine shortly. However, it is unknown how many vehicles are involved or what their exact armament will be. The Dutch have already supplied Kyiv with a total of 207 various types of YPR vehicles. Among them are, for example, lightly armoured YPR-765 vehicles, which are collaborating with Polish T-72M1 tanks in Ukraine. These machines were handed over by the Netherlands in 2022.

The mentioned YPR-765 vehicles are based on a modified version of the M113A1 tracked armoured personnel carrier. Most were manufactured under license in the Netherlands by the company DAF, and the first YPR-765 units entered service in 1979. The basic version of the YPR-765 is equipped with a 12.7 mm machine gun and a KBA-B02 turret with a 25 mm cannon.

The vehicle can travel at a maximum speed of approximately 70 km/h, and its range is estimated at 500 km. It is over 5 metres long, about 3 metres wide, and 2.6 metres high. Its weight is close to 14,000 kg. The YPR-765 can accommodate a 3-person crew, including a driver, commander, and gunner, and if necessary, it can also transport 7-8 soldiers. The vehicle can also be used for transporting wounded or carrying ammunition.

Thanks to its design, the YPR-765 can turn into an amphibious vehicle if needed. The tracks used on it are effective both on land and in water. Polyurethane foam, filling the free spaces in the armour, also plays an important role, providing the YPR-765 with additional buoyancy.