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Ukraine Partners With South Africa to Boost Its Arsenal With Advanced Combat Vehicles

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Photo of Vlad Litnarovych
Vlad Litnarovych
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Ukraine Partners With South Africa to Boost Its Arsenal With Advanced Combat Vehicles
A previously unseen six-wheeled armored vehicle, recently presented to the Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief, on April 18, 2025. (Source: Ukrainian Ministry of Defense)

Ukrainian forces have begun testing the Mbombe 6, a six-wheeled armored fighting vehicle developed by South Africa’s Paramount Group, according to the open-source intelligence firm Conflict Capital report on April 29.

Despite current economic challenges, South Africa retains advanced defense manufacturing know-how, much of it dating back to the apartheid era.

Conflict Capital notes that future cooperation between the two nations could extend beyond the Mbombe vehicle to include technologies such as the G7/LEO 105mm howitzer, which has a range of 32 kilometers, and even insights from South Africa’s once-ambitious Carver fourth-generation fighter program.

One of the most intriguing pieces of equipment recently showcased by Ukrainian defense sources is an unmarked, previously unseen six-wheeled armored vehicle. Though its name has not yet been officially released, it closely resembles the Mbombe 6×6 in both design and layout.

Mbombe 6×6, a six-wheeled armored fighting vehicle developed by South Africa’s Paramount Group. (Source: Paramount Group)
Mbombe 6×6, a six-wheeled armored fighting vehicle developed by South Africa’s Paramount Group. (Source: Paramount Group)

According to Ukrainian defense news outlet Militarnyi, the vehicle is already being produced under license at one of Ukraine’s defense enterprises.

The Mbombe, originally developed in 2010, is a mine-resistant, ambush-protected (MRAP) combat vehicle designed to carry eight infantry soldiers, each seated in a blast-resistant seat. In addition to the troop compartment, the vehicle houses a three-person crew: commander, driver, and gunner. Troops exit the rear via a powered ramp.

Weighing 16 tons in its base configuration, the Mbombe 6 meets NATO’s STANAG 4569 Level 3 protection standards—capable of withstanding fire from 7.62×51mm armor-piercing rounds.

Its V-shaped, dual-layer hull is designed to survive blasts equivalent to 10 kilograms of TNT, offering serious protection against mines and improvised explosive devices.

The version displayed in Ukraine features a locally integrated remote-controlled weapons station known as the Spys-Syntez module.

Ukrainian Spys remote-controlled weapons station mounted on the BMP-1 hull, 2018. (Source: Wikimedia)
Ukrainian Spys remote-controlled weapons station mounted on the BMP-1 hull, 2018. (Source: Wikimedia)

It includes a 30mm ZTM-1 automatic cannon, a 30mm KBA-117 automatic grenade launcher, a coaxial 7.62mm PKT machine gun, and a Barrier anti-tank missile system with twin launchers.

The turret is stabilized along two axes, allowing for accurate fire on the move. For all-weather targeting, the gunner’s sight includes a thermal imaging channel.

Powered by a Cummins ISBe4 diesel engine delivering 300 kW and paired with a six-speed Allison automatic transmission, the Mbombe 6 reaches speeds of up to 100 km/h and has an operational range of 700 km. It uses a 6×6 drive configuration suitable for challenging terrain.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in South Africa for high-level talks with President Cyril Ramaphosa and representatives from across the African continent.

During the visit, Zelenskyy handed over a list of 400 children, who Russia abducted from temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

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