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| Ukrainian 79th Air Assault Troops received 11 MLS Shield armored vehicles purchased in Italy |
Kiev - The 79th Air Assault Troops of the Ukrainian army has reportedly received 11 MLS Shield 4X4 armored vehicles manufactured by the Italian company TEKNE. Citing information from MilitaryLand (14/08), this MLS Shield was purchased by a volunteer group of the Ukrainian army and the Poroshenko Foundation.
The purchase of 11 MLS Shields from TEKNE was carried out by the foundation of former President of Ukraine P. Poroshenko together with the public organization Hromad Kanan with the help of the Ukrainian Embassy in Italy and the Italian military attache in Kyiv.
TEKNE is an Italian company that designs and manufactures electronic systems and electrical systems, with an early focus on specialty vehicles and agricultural machinery.
The MLS Shield is a light armored vehicle that has a conventional design with the engine at the front, crew in the middle and troop compartment at the rear. The crew including the driver and commander sits at the front of the vehicle and the rear of the hull can accommodate up to eight fully armed personnel.
The MLS Shield hull provides protection against bullets from 5.56mm and 7.62mm caliber assault rifles. Vehicle armor also provides protection against mine explosions or IEDs (Improvised Explosive Device).
The MLS Shield is powered by a Cummins 6.7L I6 Turbo Diesel engine producing 360 hp, which can run at a maximum speed of 110 km/h.
On the roof, it can be equipped with a manned dome or remotely operated weapons station (RCWS). Armament options include one 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm caliber machine gun and a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher.