Ukraine developing new heavy infantry fighting vehicle
The goal of the program is to develop a modular vehicle that can be used as a heavy troop carrier, armored fighting vehicle, artillery system, and air-defense system
Eyal Boguslavsky
| 08/04/2021
Photo: Arey Engineer Group
Ukrainian company Arey Engineer Group has unveiled a program for development of a new heavy infantry fighting vehicle dubbed Vavilon (Babylon in Ukrainian) that is based on the chassis of a T-64 main battle tank.
Ukranian military news website Opk.com.ua,, which was the first to report the story, said that the Vavilon has a hybrid motor, a modern digital control system, state-of-the-art armor and additional protection not lower than STANAG 6. Arey Engineer Group said that the Vavilon, in an IFV configuration, has a combat weight of 36 tons. It can carry 11 troops: the commander, driver, gunner, and 8 soldiers. The new combat vehicle is based on the chassis of a T-64 tank and has a variant with a chassis based on that of the T-84. The Vavilon also meets the basic standards for NATO military vehicles in combat missions. According to the website, the goal of the program is to develop a new modular vehicle that can be used as a heavy troop carrier, armored fighting vehicle, artillery system, and air-defense system.
The vehicle includes a TCD16.0V8 DEUTZ engine and electric motors that generate up to 500 kW. It has a 768 hp main engine that can be boosted to 1080 hp if the hybrid drive is added. The hybrid drive enables an increase to the maximum torque as well as improvement of traction in all ranges of movement. According to the manufacturer, the use of a hybrid drive ensures the operation of heavy IFV in the following modes: 1) operation of the main engine; 2) operation of the electric engine; 3) combined operation in which the electric engines increase the dynamic characteristics of the chassis; and 4) operation using a generator.
It recently became known that the new heavy IFV will be fitted with a turret armed with a 30 mm 2A42 main gun, a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun, and Braier anti-tank missiles. In addition, it will have a remote-controlled turret with an NSV 12.7mm machine gun and a UAG-40 grenade launcher.
The goal of the program is to develop a modular vehicle that can be used as a heavy troop carrier, armored fighting vehicle, artillery system, and air-defense system
Photo: Arey Engineer Group
Ukrainian company Arey Engineer Group has unveiled a program for development of a new heavy infantry fighting vehicle dubbed Vavilon (Babylon in Ukrainian) that is based on the chassis of a T-64 main battle tank.
Ukranian military news website Opk.com.ua,, which was the first to report the story, said that the Vavilon has a hybrid motor, a modern digital control system, state-of-the-art armor and additional protection not lower than STANAG 6. Arey Engineer Group said that the Vavilon, in an IFV configuration, has a combat weight of 36 tons. It can carry 11 troops: the commander, driver, gunner, and 8 soldiers. The new combat vehicle is based on the chassis of a T-64 tank and has a variant with a chassis based on that of the T-84. The Vavilon also meets the basic standards for NATO military vehicles in combat missions. According to the website, the goal of the program is to develop a new modular vehicle that can be used as a heavy troop carrier, armored fighting vehicle, artillery system, and air-defense system.
The vehicle includes a TCD16.0V8 DEUTZ engine and electric motors that generate up to 500 kW. It has a 768 hp main engine that can be boosted to 1080 hp if the hybrid drive is added. The hybrid drive enables an increase to the maximum torque as well as improvement of traction in all ranges of movement. According to the manufacturer, the use of a hybrid drive ensures the operation of heavy IFV in the following modes: 1) operation of the main engine; 2) operation of the electric engine; 3) combined operation in which the electric engines increase the dynamic characteristics of the chassis; and 4) operation using a generator.
It recently became known that the new heavy IFV will be fitted with a turret armed with a 30 mm 2A42 main gun, a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun, and Braier anti-tank missiles. In addition, it will have a remote-controlled turret with an NSV 12.7mm machine gun and a UAG-40 grenade launcher.
