Ukrainian Ground Forces Uses Dutch YPR-765 Infantry Fighting Vehicles

A video shared on social media confirms that Ukrainian Ground Forces received YPR-765 Infantry Fighting Vehicles from the Netherlands. The Netherlands has many weapons systems that are obsolete, stored, or simply unnecessary for the Dutch army, so they are a real opportunity to be sold. Netherlands has at least 500 units of this model, which was retired in 2012. Most have been replaced by a combination of CV9035NL, Fennek and Boxer vehicles. The Dutch Army only uses the YPR-806 A1 PRB (pantserrupsberging) and YPR-KMar (Koninklijke Marechaussee). It is based on a modified M113 chassis and hull but using AIFV automotive components. In early April, it became clear that the Netherlands will provide Ukraine with a heavily armored vehicle.

The YPR-765 is a development of the AIFV (Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle). The AIFV is an US tracked light armored vehicle that serves as an infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) in the armies of several countries. It is a development of the M113A1 armored personnel carrier. The U.S. Army evaluated the vehicle, but decided that they wanted a better protected and more mobile vehicle, selecting instead the M2 Bradley.While the US was uninterested in the design, a number of other governments were interested in the vehicle, which was simpler, lighter, and cheaper than the Bradley.

The first country to order the AIFV was the Netherlands that eventually placed orders for a total of 2,079 vehicles in two batches: one of 1,264 that was co-production with the then FMC Corporation and the second for 815 vehicles, which was local production with a number of companies in the Netherlands. Some changes were made at the request of the Dutch government, including shifting the weapon station to the right side and moving the commander behind the driver. Under the YPR-2000 program, virtually all Dutch vehicles were upgraded to YPR-765A1 standard and are easily identified by the 3-tone NATO camouflage pattern. During the war in Afghanistan, several vehicles were fitted with additional armor.

Original production AIFVs can swim without deploying flotation curtains, using only a large front-mounted trim vane; they are propelled in the water by their tracks. The turret is fitted on the right side of the hull behind the engine. The turret, which has electro-hydraulic traverse, can elevate from -10 to +50° and can traverse and elevate at a speed of 60°/sec. The turret mounts an Oerlikon KBA 25 mm B02 cannon with a dual ammunition feed and 180 rounds of ready use ammo, with another 144 rounds stored in the hull. Mounted to the left of this gun is a 7.62 mm FN MAG machine gun, which has 230 rounds of ready ammo, with a further 1,610 in the hull. There is a six-barrel smoke discharger mounted at the front, just above the large trim vane.