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Several reflections over the past month brought me to this material at once: my own tests, general news about cars, discussions among colleagues around me. Of course, in my environment, the maximum is connected with the world of cars – that’s why thoughts about war relate to cars and transport, which are used in combat operations. I propose to consider several types of vehicles and scenarios of their use by the Armed Forces.

Option 1: pickup truck or SUV

A car with four-wheel drive, high ground clearance, a powerful engine – that’s what you need! Such requirements are met by frame SUVs, medium or large crossovers, all kinds of pickups. An SUV and a crossover are an excellent option for transporting people (personnel), as well as certain cargo. In addition, such cars provide comfortable conditions for staying in the cabin, the ability to store cargo/weaponry and protect them from bad weather. However, the best vehicle for combat operations is a pickup truck. Why?

The answer is simple – because of the versatility of use. After all, you can equip a closed space (KUNG or awning) in the body, you can make a superstructure for installing weapons, you can transport people, and of course – you can transport any cargo: barrels with fuel and lubricants, weapons and ammunition, an electric generator. At the same time, the closed interior makes it possible to comfortably transport people over long distances, the pickup truck allows you to easily cover hundreds of kilometers of roads. And the pickup truck is mobile enough to drive anywhere: leave the combat position, overcome the country road and expressway, and then drive into the rear city. At the same time, it is passable enough to operate off-road in the first line of combat operations.

What is the best pickup truck for the Armed Forces? You can mention a super pickup Toyota Hilux GR Sport, but the reality is that the military will get and use any pickup truck: Mitsubishi L200, Peugeot Landtrek, JAC T8 and other. And they are always new. It would be more accurate to say even wrong: usually most of the pickups are not new, but used – it is the 10-20-year-old Toyota, Mitsubishi, Nissan pickups that are used en masse in the war.

Is it a question of money? Of course, there is no getting away from it: if there is an option to buy one Toyota Hilux GR Sport pickup or two Toyota Hilux pickups in the basic configuration, the second option is better. Because it’s twice as much mobility, it’s the work of two units, it’s two chances for survival. In addition to the fact that you need a pickup truck, you also need to have a lot of these pickup trucks.

And not only money, but also the possibility of supplying a large number of pickups is the reason for the appearance of used cars in the war zone. In fact, for large funds, the difference in the price of the car is not so important: $26,000 for a new one or $6,000 for a used pickup truck. Because it is necessary to add a lot of money to the price of the latter for its restoration and repair before sending it to the front: no matter how much it is cheaper than a new one – and the lives of soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are more expensive. And it will still be an old pickup truck in the war, which can add unpleasant surprises.

So, a solution has been found: you need to take a lot of money and buy a lot of new, even simple pickups. And this is where the problem of production quotas and pick-up orders arises. As far as I know, there is currently a 3-6 month order queue for new pickups, depending on the specific make/model of the vehicle. Unfortunately, there is almost nothing our dealers and importers can do about this, as it is a general matter of factory production planning. That is, the task becomes more difficult: a fairly simple, but massive new pickup truck is needed – so that it is produced in large quantities and costs adequate money.

And here we have to mention Toyota again, but this time we are talking about the Toyota Hilux Champ model: a simple pickup truck for Thailand. The simple appearance is a consequence of the simple design, there is a frame and rear-wheel drive, gasoline or diesel engines with a volume of 2.0-2.7 liters (139-166 hp), as well as a 6-speed “mechanics” or “automatic “. Taking into account the price of $13-16 thousand, you can even agree to a single-row cabin without alternatives, but you want four-wheel drive – here is an almost ideal pickup for the Armed Forces! And what else do you need, besides pickups?

Option 2: van-bus or station wagon

Vans, “beads”, vans, station wagons are also needed in the war. If the pick-up truck is used as the most versatile vehicle – transporting people, transporting goods, advancing to the front edge of combat positions – vans are used more for transport / transport, but also add a warehouse function. Thanks to the closed body, you can store weapons and ammunition, food and personal belongings here. SUVs and pick-ups with a closed body can partially perform the function of a warehouse, but the useful volume and convenience of its use are incomparable – and clearly in favor of vans.

In addition, a van is the best option of a vehicle for evacuating wounded fighters. Yes, yes, of course a person can be taken from the front edge of hostilities on something that is currently at hand and can go. However, only a van/van/station wagon allows you to set up a first aid station.

So, why is a van, van, station wagon used? This vehicle is used for transporting goods/people over many kilometers (from a base point to a rear city), storing things and ammunition, evacuating people or medically evacuating fighters.

Again: you can dream for a long time about roomy vans with all-wheel drive for the Armed Forces – for example, Peugeot Traveler Dangel or Volkswagen Multivan/Transporter T6.1; but these are artificial and expensive cars. That is why 10-20-year-old vans are actually “fighting” – they are cheaper and you can find and bring something in Europe. By the way, smaller vans will not be superfluous either: they can still provide enough space. Among the most affordable in Ukraine, I will mention, for example, a car Renault Express. Such vehicles work on the “rear/combat zone” connection line and are used as a warehouse. But only occasionally are they pushed to the forefront of hostilities: there may not be enough traffic, and for that there is a pickup truck. Or even…

Option 3: electric pickup truck, electric ATV

Hardly anyone would think of such a vehicle in war, but in fact it finds its place. First of all, for advancing a group of soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from a support point (it can be a fortified block post, bunkers in landings, etc.) to the place of execution of the task/operation.

Usually, the distance of advancing to a position is several kilometers, conditionally the maximum should be 5-10 kilometers. Therefore, the power reserve of electric transport is only at the level of 80–100 km, which is quite sufficient. And high speed is not very important: equally, movement will be faster on foot. Especially taking into account the load that must be taken and carried on the legs with you – and it can be +20-30 kg per fighter or even more. The total carrying capacity of 300-500 kg will be enough to transport several people and a certain load; this will also be enough to evacuate the wounded from the front.

At the same time, electric transport has unexpected advantages. First, it is quiet during operation: there is no sound of the internal combustion engine – therefore, it will be more difficult for the enemy to notice the movement of the group from the sound. Secondly, it is the absence or minimal level of thermal radiation: again, there is no heat from the internal combustion engine – therefore, it will be more difficult for the enemy to notice the movement of the group with a thermal imager.

Unexpected, but possible options for using electric transport for the Armed Forces; usually it is the promotion of the group from the base point to the place of the special operation. Something like an electric pickup would come in handy here LUAZ or the HIMAKS electric quad bike. In fact, there are many such examples, and ITC.ua can tell you about them in detail.

So, what car does the Armed Forces need?

Let’s be “captain obvious” and answer right away: first, new cars are needed. Any new pickup is better than a 20-year-old super-tech European, Japanese, American pickup. Why? Because the tendency of wear of parts, the appearance of malfunctions, the possibility of critical breakdown is at least roughly understood. A car is always a lottery, sometimes with a very unpredictable result that can cost lives. We cannot allow this: money means less than the lives of Ukrainians.

Secondly, we need mass cars in large quantities. Moreover, it is desirable that cars of the same brand/model work within the same battalion and brigade – this simplifies their maintenance and repair, even if by the method of technical cannibalism. Finally, the third: the distribution of cars according to the above types. Here, the leadership of a certain unit, group, battalion, brigade should decide – depending on the assigned tasks. Because depending on certain tasks, there may be a great need for some or completely different cars.

After all, the fourth. If you are in the rear, do not forget – our task is the need to provide the frontline fighters with everything they need, including cars. So, just don’t forget to donate!

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