Ukrainian Armor Launches Serial Production of VOLS Buggies

Ukrainian Armor is launching serial production of VOLS military buggies.

Production facilities will allow several hundred vehicles needed at the front to be manufactured each month, provided that a state order is placed, said the CEO of Ukrainian Armor to Mezha Media.

Ukrainian Armor has prepared a complete set of documentation and a component base for the launch of serial production of VOLS buggies.

“When we came to the Ministry of Defense and began to formulate requirements for these buggies, we encountered bureaucratic incompetence. They tried to turn them into armored vehicles—they started to armor them and put four people in them. But then they are no longer buggies, they are cars. And this immediately affects the cost,” explained Vladyslav Belbas, CEO of Ukrainian Armor.

According to him, the cost of a serial VOLS buggy should not exceed $20,000. However, the exact price has not yet been determined, as the codification process is not complete.

“Our task is to make the buggy cheaper than a pickup truck. It must be fast and reliable. Such vehicles will not replace cargo transportation in the rear, as they are designed for combat missions,” Belbas emphasized.

VOLS can be used to transport wounded personnel, deliver ammunition, for maneuverable defense or attack, as well as for quick raids into enemy rear areas.

“You can’t take a pickup truck to destroy the enemy rear. But with a 12.7 mm machine gun installed on a buggy, you can chase the enemy down,” Belbas added.

Engineer Volodymyr Sadyk began manufacturing the first VOLS buggies in 2022 on a voluntary basis. At that time, he made more than 190 vehicles. Sadyk is currently working on the project at Ukrainian Armor.

The VOLS design features high ground clearance of 38 cm, a low profile (vehicle height – 1.4 m, driver’s head – 1.3 m) and a semi-reclining position for the two-person crew.

The load capacity is 500 kg, of which up to 300 kg can be placed in the front and rear trunks. The rear compartment is open, and the front is closed with a fairing cover.

The buggy is equipped with folding medical stretchers that can be unfolded in seconds and provide cushioning effect. This allows for quick loading of wounded personnel, even in combat.

The buggy’s chassis is designed to handle rough terrain—reinforced front arms can withstand impacts from bushes, potholes, or small trees. The vehicle has rear-wheel drive, which makes it lighter, gives it better weight distribution, and improves ground clearance.

The prototype is powered by a 1.9-liter VW Golf turbo diesel engine (115 hp), but a 1.5-liter Renault K9K turbo diesel engine was chosen for series production. The range in ‘combat’ conditions is over 300 km.

The modular design of the engine allows it to be quickly replaced along with the gearbox and cooling systems. This greatly simplifies repair and maintenance in the military.

VOLS has a four-speed gearbox, simple controls (starter and four toggle switches), as well as USB charging and a mechanical fuel gauge.

In the future, a hybrid power plant is planned, which will provide electric traction to one of the axles. This will allow the vehicle to reach its destination in the event of engine failure, quietly approach the enemy, or get out of mud.

Also in Ukraine, as part of the Steel Front initiative, the Metinvest Group donated a batch of buggies to the army.