Protector Tested as Strike UGV With Tavria-12.7 Combat Module as Primary Armament

Ukrainian Armor has tested the Protector heavy unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) with the Tavria-12.7 integrated remote-controlled combat module.

Ukrainian Armor posted a video of the test on its Facebook page.

According to the company’s CEO Vladyslav Belbas, the testing of the system included firing at different distances and in different modes.

According to him, the integration of a remote-controlled combat module turns the ground-based system into a full-fledged combat unit.

“The main task of the UGV Protector with the Tavria combat module is to save the lives of our soldiers as much as possible. The unmanned platform is controlled remotely, allowing operators to perform tasks from a safe place and the combat module to work from a distance. We got good results in both static shooting and shooting on the move from different distances,” Belbas said.

The TAVRIA-12.7 combat module is a remotely controlled turret armed with a 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine gun and equipped with a digital weapon control system. It is designed to monitor, detect and engage ground and air targets, including unmanned aerial vehicles.

In March 2024, Ukrainian Armor already tested the Novator armored vehicle with the Tavria combat module. However, it was a 14.5 mm caliber version based on the KPVT machine gun.

At the time, it was reported that the Tavria-14.5 was equipped with an optoelectronic module located to the left of the machine gun, which makes it possible to detect targets at a distance of more than 5 kilometers both day and night.

And in November 2024, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine codified and authorized the Tavria combat module for use.

Protector

Ukrainian Armor first presented Protector at the MSPO exhibition in Poland in September 2024. The weight of the platform is up to 4,000 kg, and the 190 hp engine provides a speed of up to 60 km/h. The ballistic protection level is Stanag 4569 Level 1.

The carrying capacity of this remotely controlled platform reaches 700 kg, and the range is up to 400 km.

In June 2025, the Ministry of Defense authorized the Protector unmanned heavy ground platform for use in the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

You can learn more in a special video by Militarnyi about this UGV.