{"blocks":[{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The Ukrainian armed forces showcased a US-delivered M1117 Armored Security Vehicle for the first time this week."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"A 425th Separate Assault Battalion Skala Instagram post displayed the Textron vehicle on a training ground."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Washington announced 250 refurbished M1117s for Ukraine in November 2022 as part of a $400 million aid package, which also included 45 refurbished T-72B tanks, an unknown number of refurbished HAWK air defense missiles, 1,100 Phoenix Ghost drones, and 40 Armored Riverine Boats."}},{"type":"quote","data":{"text":"\r\n

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A post shared by Skala (@skala.battalion)

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","alignment":"left"}},{"type":"header","data":{"text":"Delivery Delays","level":2}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative necessitates industry procurement, possibly delaying the delivery."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"According to Defense Express, the decommissioned vehicle's refurbishment was the subject of a separate briefing for the congressional defense committees in September 2023. "}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"It was revealed that the refurbishment would take another 18 months, with US officials pushing to accelerate it."}},{"type":"header","data":{"text":"M1117 ","level":2}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Based on the Cadillac M706 Commando, the 13.4-ton 4x4 armored personnel carrier was developed in the 1990s and first inducted in 1999."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"It features an M2 Browning machine gun and an Mk 19 40mm automatic grenade launcher. Additionally, an M240H machine gun is installed near the gunner's hatch."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The US produced around 2,000 of the vehicles. In 2019, it was decided that the M1117 would be gradually replaced with the Oshkosh M-ATV MRAP."}}]}

US to Buy $1.6B in Ukrainian-Made Weapons for Ukraine

Ukraine Military Displays First US-Delivered M1117 Armored Vehicle