Ukraine's Humvee: Ministry of Defence codifies the Desna armored vehicle
Featuring a low profile, moderate weight, ideal proportions, and exceptional off-road capability—the Ministry of Defence has codified and authorized the UAT.DESNA multirole armored vehicle for operational use by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
It is designed for the rapid transport of infantry and cargo outside areas of direct contact with the enemy.
The UAT.DESNA armored vehicle is manufactured by a Ukrainian company. It belongs to the same class of medium multirole armored vehicles as the American HMMWV.
Ukrainian engineers drew on the design solutions of the American Humvee and the real-world combat experience of Ukrainian service members. The UAT.DESNA incorporates features specifically engineered to meet the demanding requirements of modern warfare.
UAT.DESNA specifications
The Desna armored vehicle features a proprietary chassis engineered specifically for military missions in demanding conditions.
The vehicle measures 5.35 m in length, 2.7 m in width, and just 2 m in height—no taller than most civilian SUVs.
These dimensions provide an optimal balance of off-road mobility, stability during abrupt maneuvers, and a low visual profile in the field.
The UAT.DESNA is capable of fording water up to 70 cm deep and achieving a top speed of 110 km/h. The cabin accommodates a driver and four infantry personnel. With a gross vehicle weight of just 8.3 tons, the vehicle offers a maximum payload capacity of 1.5 tons.
Key advantages of the Ukrainian Desna armored vehicle
The UAT.DESNA armored vehicle was developed to fill the gap between light, unarmored pickup trucks and heavy, full-size MRAP-class armored vehicles. The Desna's key advantages include:
- A purpose-built military design rather than a converted civilian pickup truck;
- An optimal balance of protection and mobility;
- A modular vehicle body design;
- Excellent ergonomics and a high-performance chassis;
- An automatic transmission;
- Cost-effectiveness.
The Desna combines decades of engineering experience in designing multirole armored vehicles with the unique realities of operating military vehicles in wartime Ukraine.
How the Desna strengthens Ukraine's MRAP vehicle fleet
Ukraine's Desna fills the niche for medium multirole armored vehicles. The Armed Forces of Ukraine's fleet of wheeled vehicles spans the full spectrum—from light off-road pickup trucks and lightly armored utility vehicles to heavy MRAP-class (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected) armored vehicles that match armored personnel carriers in protection and firepower.
Notably, the Armed Forces of Ukraine received 25% more specialized armored vehicles in 2025 than in 2024. Most of these vehicles are built to the MRAP design, with enhanced protection against mines and ambushes. Such vehicles feature a V-shaped hull designed to dissipate blast energy, specialized shock-absorbing seats, and a monolithic armored capsule with external blast-absorbing components, including the wheels, chassis, and engine.
As previously reported, the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has codified and authorized the domestically developed MAC OWL armored vehicle for operational use, making it Ukraine's safest MRAP with the highest level of mine protection.