You're reading: Ukroboronprom to retrofit Saxon APCs, Humvees with tank weapons

The British made Saxon armored personnel carries (APCs), and the U.S.-made Humvee armored vehicles, which will be used to strengthen the combat readiness of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, will be retrofitted with tank weapons, Ukroboronprom State Concern's press service has announced.

Supplementary arms developed by Kyiv-based Mayak plant, part of Ukroboronprom, for imported special-purpose vehicles, will be used to equip the Saxon APCs with three tank machine guns: two turret mounted KT-7.62mm-caliber guns and a versatile air-defense 12.7mm-caliber DShKM machine gun, according to the press service.

In addition, a 12.7mm-caliber DShKM machine gun will be installed on the Humvees.

Ukraine’s military leadership has already agreed to the retrofitting of the vehicles, the press service said.

As reported, in late 2014 Ukroboronprom, under the Defense Ministry state procurement order, purchased 75 Saxon APCs. The total purchase price, according to Ukroboronprom, was $3.8 million. The first 20 vehicles arrived in Ukraine in early February 2015.

As reported, the U.S. will provide Ukraine with additional non-lethal equipment in 2015. The American aid is to include drones, communications systems, radars for mortar and artillery detection, night vision equipment and other items with a total value of $75 million, and 230 military vehicles as well.

The first batch of Humvees was transferred to the Ukrainian Army in March 2015.