New Ukrainian armored car "Varta-2": a step forward in protection and firepower

 Varta-2 

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has officially tested and commissioned the new Varta-2 armored car, a modern modification of the popular MRAP platform, created taking into account the real combat experience of recent years.

Key technical features

- Weight and engine: The Varta-2 weighs 14 tons and is equipped with a 6.7-liter turbodiesel, which allows it to reach speeds of up to 110 km / h

. - Capacity: Crew and troops — up to 10 fighters, which makes the car versatile for various tasks.

- Monocoque instead of a frame: For the first time, a load-bearing monocoque was used for Ukrainian MRAPs, which reduced the weight by 3.5 tons and increased the level of protection to the STANAG 4569 Level 3 standard.

- Armor: Protects against hits from armor-piercing bullets of 7.62×54 mm caliber.

- Mine protection: the V-shaped bottom and special seats ensure the survival of the crew when detonating up to 8 kg of TNT under the hull.

Modern systems and weapons

- Electronic warfare complex: The vehicle has an electronic warfare system for countering drones, which is critically important in modern warfare.

- Armament:

    - The basic version is a 12.7mm machine gun turret.

    - Alternative options are a remote—controlled Sich module with a 30 mm automatic cannon or a 14.5mm machine gun.

- Uniqueness: Neither the previous versions of the Varta nor the foreign analogues of the MRAP provided for the installation of such heavy weapons, which makes the Varta-2 unique on the market.

Significance for the Armed Forces of Ukraine

- Mobility and security: Varta-2 combines high maneuverability, modern protection and powerful weapons.

 Infantry Support: Able to effectively support infantry units with fire, engage light armored vehicles, and ensure crew survival in the face of mine threats and drone attacks.

- Innovations: The use of monocoque, reinforced protection and heavy weapons reflects current trends in the development of armored vehicles.

Varta-2 is an example of how the Ukrainian defense industry quickly responds to the challenges of modern warfare by introducing innovative solutions into mass—produced equipment. It is expected that the new vehicle will significantly enhance the mobility and combat capability of Ukrainian units on the front line.

GDELS presents a new self-propelled artillery system at FEINDEF 2025

Company General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) preparing to present its new self-propelled artillery system at the upcoming International Defense and Security Exhibition FEINDEF 2025, which will be held in Madrid. This system combines advanced technologies of modularity, mobility and automation, offering a modern solution for fire support on the battlefield.

The novelty is based on the well-proven ASCOD tracked chassis, which has been adapted and integrated with a fully automated 155 mm/52 caliber Artillery Module (AGM). This combination was made possible by GDELS' collaboration with the KMW + Nexter Defense Systems (KNDS) concern.

The central element of the system is the AGM tower, based on the design of the legendary German self-propelled gun PzH 2000, but modified to meet new combat requirements. It is characterized by a high degree of automation of loading, fire control and reloading, which significantly increases the rate of fire and reduces the reaction time to a change in the situation.

One of the key advantages of the new platform is its ** mobility and lower weight compared to traditional heavy artillery systems**. This makes it particularly attractive for rapidly changing theaters of war, where efficiency and maneuverability are important.

The creation of this system marks an important step in the development of modular solutions in ground-based weapons, allowing the armies of European countries to flexibly adapt their forces to modern challenges.

BMRK Uran-9: reconnaissance and fire support robot of the Russian Armed Forces

Uran-9 reconnaissance and fire Support combat vehicle

The Uran-9 BMRK is designed to conduct reconnaissance and fire support for advanced and reconnaissance units of tactical combined arms formations. It increases the effectiveness of combat missions and reduces the loss of unit personnel during combat operations, including in urban environments.

The main tasks of the BMRK Uran-9

are reconnaissance: it collects information about the enemy and the terrain.

- Fire support: Supports combined arms and reconnaissance units with fire.

- Hitting targets: It is capable of hitting stationary and moving tank-type targets at ranges up to 5,000 m during the day and 3,500 m at night.

RROP Features

- Moving: It can move from on-board batteries in the engine shutdown mode.

- Automatic movement: It is able to move along a given route with automatic detection and avoidance of obstacles.

- Control: receives and transmits control commands from a mobile control point (MPU) and a remote control (remote control), and can also relay signals.

- Remote control: it is carried out at a distance of up to 3 km from the control panel, and signal relay between the control panels is possible at a distance of up to 1 km.

Technical specifications

- Curb weight: up to 12 tons.

- Dimensions: 5600x2500x3100 mm.

- Power plant capacity: 300 kW.

- Maximum speed: at least 35 km/h.

- Power reserve: 200 km.

- Continuous operation time: 6 hours at one gas station.

Weapon guidance sectors

- Cannon and small arms: 360° in the azimuthal plane, from -10° to +45° in the angle of the place.

- Rocket and flame-throwing weapons: 360° in the azimuthal plane, from -15° to +70° in the angle of the place.

 Composition of armament

- 30 mm 2A72 automatic cannon.

- 7.62mm PKTM machine gun.

- The Ataka guided weapons system.

- Rocket-propelled infantry flamethrowers RPO PDM-A "Bumblebee-M.

Additional protection measures

A smoke screen installation system has been installed, which makes it possible to automatically create a smoke screen in the laser irradiation sector.

Airbus unveils prototype NH90 Caïman Standard 2 multipurpose helicopter for the French Army

NH90 Caïman Standard 2

Airbus has unveiled a prototype of the NH90 Caïman Standard 2 multirole helicopter at the SOFINS 2025 International Special Operations Exhibition in Martigny-sur-Mer. The helicopter is designed for the French army and is part of Paris' efforts to integrate next-generation capabilities into units designed for evacuation, fire support and other rapid deployment tasks requiring low visibility.

Key Features of NH90 Caïman Standard 2

The NH90 Caïman Standard 2 is an improved version of the previous generation of Caïman Standard 1 helicopters. The new model includes components specifically designed for covert operations. Among them:

- Infrared camera with laser pointer and target designator (EOS410 from Safran);

- Improved radio communications for joint and coalition operations;

- New types of weapons.

The NH90 Caïman Standard 2 helicopter can be equipped with door-mounted machine guns, multi-functional rockets, rocket blocks and auxiliary cannons. It has a length of 20 meters, a rotor diameter of 16 meters and an external load capacity of 4,200 kilograms. The cabin can accommodate up to 20 soldiers or 10 stretchers for medical evacuation.

The NH90 Cayman Standard 2 is equipped with two turboshaft engines with up to 2,400 horsepower each. The helicopter has a maximum speed of 300 kilometers per hour, a flight range of 1,600 kilometers, and an operating altitude of 3,500 meters.

Airbus has signed a contract for the production of 18 NH90 Caïman Standard 2 helicopters for the 4th Special Forces Regiment of the French Army in Pai. Helicopter assembly has already begun at the Marignan facility, and deliveries are scheduled for the period from 2026 to 2029. After delivery, the new helicopters will replace the aging H215M Cougar and H225M Caracal models, also manufactured by Airbus.

The NH90 Cayman Standard 2 will play an important role in the operational capabilities of the French special forces, providing them with greater flexibility and effectiveness in difficult combat conditions.

Oshkosh Defense unveils advanced ROGUE-Fires missile system

 Oshkosh Defense has unveiled an improved version of its ROGUE-Fires vehicle-mounted missile system, which is now equipped with the same family of ammunition as the Highly mobile Artillery Missile System (HIMARS).

ROGUE-Fires (Remotely operated ground-based expeditionary fire device) — It is a reconfigurable unmanned system designed to provide long-range and highly effective fire support in modern combat operations.

Capable of launching multiple missiles quickly and efficiently, it provides unparalleled versatility for dynamic combat situations.

 ROGUE-Fires