New Ukrainian-made Varan buggy gets fielding approval from Defense Ministry

On 21 October, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry has officially greenlit the domestically-produced Varan buggy for military service, expanding the country’s arsenal of locally-made combat vehicles. The Ministry’s press service announced that the all-terrain vehicle has been codified and accepted for supply to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Ukraine continues to incorporate various types of military equipment, sourced from allies and domestically produced, amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. The Defense Ministry has accelerated the codification process to formally approve the use of these systems in the Armed Forces.

According to the Defense Ministry, the Varan buggy is designed to perform a wide range of tasks, including personnel transportation, wounded evacuation, and ammunition delivery. The vehicle was developed and manufactured by an unnamed Ukrainian enterprise, with its core structure being a reinforced frame designed for extreme operating conditions.

The Varan is equipped with a powerful turbodiesel engine and a 5-speed automatic transmission. The Defense Ministry noted that the majority of its components, units, and mechanisms are sourced from popular global automotive manufacturers.

The two-seater buggy weighs slightly over a ton and can transport 500 kg of cargo or tow a trailer weighing up to 300 kg. Its fuel tank capacity allows for a 200 km range on rough terrain. The Defense Ministry reported that during tests, the Varan demonstrated the ability to reach speeds of over 100 km/h on sand and did not overturn once.

Earlier this month, the Ministry reported that it had codified and approved for use in the military over 900 samples of weapons and military equipment in 2024, with 600 of them being domestically produced.

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