Solutions to win: Ukraine's National Guard receives 27 M113 armored personnel carriers
APC M113 for the National Guard by United24. Photo: Mykhailo Fedorov
As part of the United24 initiative, 27 M113 tracked armored personnel carriers were handed over to the National Guard of Ukraine.
This is reported on United24's Facebook page.
What is the problem?
With the beginning of the Russian aggression, Ukrainian troops suffered losses in people and means of destruction – tanks, self-propelled guns, and infantry fighting vehicles. Armored vehicles are also no exception.
Ukraine most often receives them as part of logistical assistance from partners to restore the combat capability of its army.
"The request from the troops for equipment, including armored ones, such as special armored cars, appeared literally in March 2022 and was quite massive, as the Armed Forces grew many times: territorial defense, hunting, motorized infantry brigades, the Reserve Corps. Equipment was needed a lot," recalls Taras Chmut, director of the Come Back Alive Foundation.
Despite the war having lasted for over 20 months, the need for armored vehicles is still a pressing matter. Thousands of units are required to properly equip and fulfill the needs of the battalions and brigades of the Defense Forces engaged in combat.
What is the solution?
United24 delivered 27 M113 tracked armored personnel carriers to the National Guard. They will help the National Guard to counter the Russian invaders more effectively.
M113 tracked armored personnel carriers for the National Guard from United24. Photo: United24
How does it work?
APC M113 during front-line use:
- will provide fire support for units in battle,
- will carry out the evacuation of the wounded,
- will deliver ammunition and provisions to the front line.
Each transferred armored personnel carrier can accommodate up to 13 service members. The machine protects the crew and the landing party inside from small arms, bullets, and projectile fragments.
M113 APC for the National Guard from United24. Photo: Mykhailo Fedorov
The M113 in the APC version is equipped with a 12.7 mm M2HB machine gun located on the commander's tower for 360-degree firing capabilities.
The machine gun is loaded with 2000 cartridges, organized in strips of 100 pieces each.
M113 tracked armored personnel carriers for the National Guard from United24. Photo: United24
The equipment was purchased in one of the European countries. The machines were in storage and underwent modernization before being sent to Ukraine. Tracked armored personnel carriers are already helping the border guards to destroy the Russian invaders. They are also used for medical evacuation.
In addition, soldiers of the Defense Forces of Ukraine conducted field tests of the latest generation BTR-4MV1 armored vehicle of domestic production with the 8×8 formula. Used by the 5th National Guard Brigade, this vehicle is an upgraded version of the BTR-4 with new weapons systems and improved armor.
For reference:
The M113 armored personnel carrier is one of the most widespread combat vehicles in the world, has been in service since 1960, and is currently in service with 44 countries.
The M113 armored personnel carrier is the primary tracked armored personnel carrier, which was in service with the mechanized troops of the US Army and many armies of other countries for a long time.
Photo: NV
The crew of an armored personnel carrier consists of two people: a mechanic-driver and a commander. It is capable of carrying up to 11 troops. Several dozen specialized vehicles have also been created on the basis of an armored personnel carrier.
80,000 units in more than 40 modifications were produced for over half a century. The current base model is the M113A2MK1.
The M113 is mainly used to transport infantry, supplies, weapons, and ammunition to the front line and for evacuation.
