Ukraine Unveils Combat-Ready Protector UGV Armed With Heavy Machine Gun Turret

Protector—a Ukrainian unmanned ground vehicle—has completed testing with the Tavria-12.7 remote weapon station. During the trials, the platform fired at targets across multiple distances, both while stationary and on the move.

According to Vladyslav Belbas, CEO of Ukrainian Armor—a company within the NAUDI defense cluster—the results were strong, confirming the system’s reliability in combat conditions.

As reported by Belbas, integrating the remote-controlled weapon station turns the ground platform into a fully capable combat unit.

“The main task of the ‘Protector’ UGV with the ‘Tavria’ combat module is to preserve the lives of our soldiers as much as possible. The unmanned platform is operated remotely, allowing operators to carry out missions from a safe location, while the combat module can engage targets at a distance,” he said.

The Tavria-12.7 turret is a remotely operated weapon station armed with the legendary M2 Browning .50-caliber (12.7×99 mm) machine gun. Previous versions of the turret—configured for 14.5 mm and 7.62 mm machine guns—have already been mounted on M113 armored personnel carriers and tested on Novator armored vehicles, Defense Express reported on November 24.

Traditionally, such armament is installed on troop-carrying vehicles to provide fire support, but this places crews at increased risk—especially given the extensive use of strike drones.

As reported by Defense Express, in its combat configuration, the Protector UGV can deliver suppressive fire, support infantry movement, assist during evacuations, or secure logistical routes without putting personnel in harm’s way. To enhance survivability on the battlefield, the system will likely also require protective add-ons typical of the current Russian war against Ukraine environment.

Earlier, drone operators from the Signum battalion of Ukraine’s 53rd Separate Mechanized Brigade released footage capturing the November 23 strike on a heavily camouflaged Russian tank positioned deep behind enemy lines.

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