Finnish 6×6 MRAP Seen with Azov Brigade

The Protolab PMPV MiSu 6×6 mine resistant ambush protected vehicle from Finland has seemingly gotten its first taste of the frontlines in service with the Ukrainian military. 12th Special Purpose Brigade Azov posted a collection of their modified armored vehicles in their “mad max” styled armored cages and rubber mats. This collection of vehicles also holds the first recorded association between the Azov Brigade and their use of the UAT Tisa armored car and UAT Gyurza MRAP.

Those vehicles are in Ukrainian domestic production and have been for some time, but illustrate the sheer variety of armored cars in Ukrainian service, sharing the post with other wheeled vehicles like the Ukrainian Inguar and Turkish Kirpi. All of which largely fill the same roll.

The Protolab PMPV MiSu is a 6×6 vehicle unlike most of its wheeled MRAP compatriots, featuring six wheels instead of four, and also uniquely, meets a requirement to have ballistic protection for STANAG level 4 as well as alleging amphibious capabilties.

From official document of Finnish armed forces from 2023, Finnish armed forces should have only 4 pieces the vehicle, thus it’s unlikely that Ukraine received them in double-digit numbers. The vehicle was made to meet requirements for the Finnish military to replace the XA-180 with testing beginning in 2015 with Finland only ordering 4 in 2017 with deliveries starting in 2018.

STANAG level 4 is an impressive achievement for a vehicle with a similar weight to a variety of wheeled APCs that lack such a capability, the exception being the MAC OWL which Ukraine may procure in the future which advertises the capability for STANAG level 4 armor protection as a unique capability for itself.

The potential amphibious capability is no longer the possible for the vehicle in service with Azov due to the armor modifications the vehicle has undergone.