At the MSPO-2025 International Defense Industry Exhibition in Kielce, Poland, a new armored vehicle, the “Krechet,” based on the “Novator 2” platform, was presented.
According to Ukrainian Armor, the new “Novator 2”-based vehicle is a command-and-staff vehicle equipped with the integrated “Krechet” control system. Its purpose is the operational coordination of air defense units, mobile fire groups, and reconnaissance.
“In today’s conditions of constant threat from mass missile and drone attacks, the task of the ‘Novator 2’ ‘Krechet’ is to increase the efficiency and safety of air defense units,” said Vladyslav Belbas, CEO of Ukrainian Armor.
According to him, the “Krechet” serves as a tactical air defense group command post designed for automated control of air defense units.
Belbas explained that the system integrates up to five digital radars, up to ten mobile fire groups, and up to four night target detection devices. It also performs automatic target allocation and manages up to ten targeting channels. Other capabilities include displaying the air situation and tracking up to 250 targets simultaneously, covering a responsibility zone of up to 300×300 km. Deployment into combat-ready mode takes no more than ten minutes, and the system can operate autonomously around the clock.
The armored vehicle retains all the advantages of the “Novator” base platform. It is equipped with a reliable Ford V8 Super Turbo Diesel engine producing 330 hp, enabling a maximum speed of 140 km/h.
The vehicle has ballistic protection level PZSA-4 (equivalent to STANAG 4569 Level 1), which withstands 7.62 mm small arms fire, and mine protection STANAG 4569 Level 2a/2b, protecting the crew from explosions under the wheels or under the hull.
