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Ukraine Turns US-Supplied M113 Armored Carrier Into Remote-Controlled Mine Clearance Robot
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Ukraine’s National Guard has converted a US-supplied M113 armored personnel carrier (APC) into a remotely operated mine clearance vehicle capable of clearing routes while also supporting frontline logistics, according to the 2nd Corps “Khartiia” on July 8.
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The unit showcased the modified vehicle in a newly released video, demonstrating the platform operating without a crew onboard. Controlled remotely from a safe distance using a control console, the vehicle is designed to reduce risks to personnel during engineering operations in heavily mined areas.
The upgraded M113 has been equipped with additional anti-drone protection, including metal cage armor intended to defend against FPV drones and a hedgehog-style protective frame designed to reduce the effectiveness of drone attacks.
A mine-clearing attachment mounted at the front allows the vehicle to neutralize mines and unexploded ordnance while opening routes for military movement.
The M113 is a US-designed tracked armored personnel carrier first introduced in the 1960s. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine has received hundreds of M113 variants from the United States and several European allies, including Australia, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain.
Footage released by the brigade also shows the remotely operated vehicle delivering supplies to infantry positions, indicating it can perform both engineering and logistical missions without exposing crews to minefields or drone attacks.
“Technologies save people’s lives—this is one of the principles of Khartiia that drives our developers to seek new solutions for the modern battlefield,” the brigade said.
Remote-controlled mine clearance vehicles have been used for decades, primarily to dispose of explosive devices or systematically clear minefields. Ukraine’s adaptation of the M113 reflects the country’s continued effort to repurpose existing armored platforms for battlefield engineering tasks in an environment shaped by extensive minefields and the widespread use of FPV drones.
Earlier, Ukraine unveiled the BRDM-2M, a modernized version of the Soviet-era BRDM-2 reconnaissance vehicle equipped with remote-control technology, a Ukrainian-made remote weapon station, upgraded armor, and the ability to transport troops or operate without a crew onboard.
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