Image source: topwar.ru
The Ukrainian army has received a batch of Turkish-made BMC Kirpi 4x4 armored vehicles. The corresponding video, filmed in Ukraine, was posted on the TG-channel "Military Informant".
According to Ukrainian sources, Turkey has supplied 50 Kirpi 4x4 armored vehicles for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in the future Kiev will receive another 150 similar armored cars. When there will be deliveries, what batches, etc. it is unknown, there is no information, especially official. As stated by the videographer, some of the cars have already "gone to the front", so we will expect the appearance of these armored cars in the Donbass or in other sectors of the front in the near future.
The Turkish Kirpi 4x4 armored car was developed by the Navy, a prototype of the car appeared in 2009. Based on the basic model, an improved version of the Kirpi II with a 4x4 wheel formula was developed, presented in 2017. The armored car weighing up to 16 tons is capable of carrying 13 people, including three crew members. The engine power is 370 hp. The maximum speed is up to 100 km/h. The power reserve is 800 km. The main purpose is the transfer of personnel. It belongs to the MRAP class (armored vehicles with increased mine protection), the level of armor protection according to the NATO standard STANAG 4569.
It is worth noting that this armored car is not only supplied to the Turkish army, but is also actively promoted for export. It was on such armored cars that the Turks participated in joint patrols in Syria together with Russian peacekeepers.
In 2019, a large batch of Turkish armored vehicles was delivered to the Libyan Government of National Accord (PNC), which opposed Marshal Haftar's Libyan National Army. Then the Turks sent MRAP Kirpi II and Vuran to Libya.
