Image source: topwar.ru
Germany has transferred 12 vehicles of the Kinetic Defense Vehicles model to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, a mobile drone protection system developed by the German company Diehl Defense and first demonstrated in early 2024.
It is a sensor complex mounted on the chassis of an unarmored vehicle, consisting of a radar from the American manufacturer Echodyne and a Diehl optical detection system consisting of several cameras that provide passive detection of drones in the sector from 120 to 360 °.
Images arriving in real time are processed automatically: approaching drones and barraging ammunition are recognized by contrast with the background environment. After detecting threats, the radar is connected to the operation, which is responsible for determining the target's speed and calculating the lead for the means of destruction. The effective range of destruction of small drones should be up to 1000 meters, depending on the type of weapons used.
Image source: topwar.ru
The configuration being transferred to the Ukrainian Armed Forces is most likely equipped with a remotely controlled stabilized R400 combat station from the Australian manufacturer Electro Optic Systems (EOS), which is armed with a 7.62 x 51 mm Minigun machine gun. The weather sensor built into the combat module increases the accuracy of weapons use.
The chassis used is Enok MBB (MBB stands for "modular van body") from the German company ACS Armored Car Systems GmbH (ACS). This automotive platform, based on the Mercedes-Benz G 461/464 series, was first introduced this year.
