Ukraine’s first domestically built CBRN scout vehicle just replaced Soviet jeep with no armor at all

Ukraine is bidding farewell to a Soviet chemical-scout vehicle and welcoming a domestically built alternative. The National Guard of Ukraine received its first CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear) reconnaissance vehicle built in the nation, replacing the aging Soviet UAZ-469RKh. This transition marks a significant shift from Soviet-era equipment to modern designs tailored to current battlefield conditions.

Commander Oleksandr Pivnenko highlighted the vehicle's role in surveying and monitoring contaminated zones without the crew leaving the protected space. The armored scout is equipped with radiation and chemical reconnaissance instruments, an automated data processing system, a weather station, advanced communication tools, and satellite navigation. These features enable real-time data collection and transmission, allowing for faster decision-making to assess and address potential threats.

Pivnenko emphasized that the primary mission of CBRN units is to detect and evaluate radiation, chemical, and biological hazards promptly. He stressed that the safety of soldiers, the execution of combat tasks, and the protection of civilians hinge on the rapid and precise gathering of such vital information.

The key distinction lies in the armored base of the new vehicle: the Tisa chassis, built on the Toyota Land Cruiser 79 platform and adhering to the NATO STANAG 4569 protection standard. This armored design offers ballistic and mine protection that the open-top Soviet UAZ lacked. Additionally, the Tisa is equipped with night-vision systems and sophisticated air filtration systems, enabling the crew to operate in hazardous environments while remaining shielded from potential threats.