Mass production of VOLS light buggies is starting in Ukraine. The Ukrainian Armored Vehicles company claims that it will be able to produce several hundred of these vehicles per month — as soon as there is a government order.
Mass production of VOLS light buggies is starting in Ukraine. The Ukrainian Armored Vehicles company claims that it will be able to produce several hundred of these vehicles per month — as soon as there is a government order.
Director of Ukrainian Armored Vehicles Vladyslav Belbas explains: «VOLS should be cheaper than a pickup truck, but at the same time fast and reliable. It will be useful for both logistics and raids behind enemy lines.»
As the Oboronka article states, the project was originally developed by domestic designer Volodymyr Sadyk. For 3.5 years, he supplied the vehicles to the front and refined them in accordance with the experience gained.
Then, the latest version of VOLS was proposed to be produced at the facilities of Ukrainian Armored Vehicles. The developer handed over the documentation, and the company undertook to establish production and carry out codification.
VOLS is a versatile and at the same time simple vehicle for logistics and combat raids. Its feature is high cross-country ability: 38 cm of ground clearance with a height of only 1.4 m. The vehicle is designed to rush through forest plantations, off-road, bushes and even through small trees.
The first versions were developed by Ukrainian engineer Volodymyr Sadyk. He personally delivered them to the front and refined them together with the military. Now VOLS has received a «second life» at large production facilities.
the production version will receive a 1.5-liter Renault K9K diesel;
range — over 300 km;
fuel consumption — 6–12 l/100 km;
Modular design: the engine and transmission are removed as a unit and quickly replaced.
The vehicle is also equipped with protective elements:
armor: 2 mm metal for protection against debris and FPV drones;
folding stretchers for evacuating the wounded — unfold in a second;
«shock-absorbing» metal seats reduce vibrations.
In the future, a hybrid power plant with electric traction on one axle is planned. This will help move quietly at night and increase the chances of survival in a critical situation.
