Ukraine’s Defense Ministry Approves MAC OWL Armored Vehicle for Service With Class-Leading Protection

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has codified and authorized for service the domestically produced MAC OWL armored vehicle, described as offering the highest level of protection against mines and small arms fire among vehicles in its category in Ukraine.

The Ministry of Defense has reported on this.

According to the Ministry, the vehicle is designed to protect the crew from mine blasts of up to 10 kg TNT equivalent and features 16 mm side armor, which is stated to be the thickest among domestic and foreign analogs.

The MAC OWL is a joint development of Ukrainian company MAC HUB and Paramount Group Greece. It is based on the armored hull design of the South African Mbombe 4 and uses a newly developed chassis adapted to conditions of the Ukrainian battlefield.

The armored hull is designed to withstand all-round fire from machine guns and 7.62×54 mm rifle rounds and includes anti-fragmentation lining.

The lining is intended to limit secondary fragmentation and reduce injuries to personnel in the event of penetration by larger-caliber rounds or drones. It covers the entire internal surface of the vehicle, including the roof.

The vehicle has a ground clearance of 45 cm, comparable to that of heavy military trucks, while its overall height does not exceed 2.8 meters.

The cabin accommodates a crew of two and six to eight dismounts. The vehicle is designed to integrate up to 10 electronic warfare system modules.

The 15-ton MAC OWL is equipped with independent suspension axles from AxleTech International, which also supplies components for the U.S. MaxxPro armored vehicle.

It is powered by a 450-horsepower Cummins 8.9 diesel engine paired with an Allison automatic transmission, which can be removed by two personnel for major repairs.

The vehicle is equipped with a centralized tire inflation system controlled via an onboard computer, allowing adjustment of tire pressure for different terrain conditions.

The first prototype underwent combat testing with a unit of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in February 2026. Read more about the vehicle in a special report in which Militarnyi’s reporters examined the armored vehicle ahead of its deployment to the front lines.