MSPO 2025: Ukraine presents Novator APC 2 armored vehicle with Krechet air defense command post configuration.

At MSPO 2025 in Kielce, Poland, the Ukrainian defense industry showcased the Novator 2 APC equipped with the integrated “Krechet” system, configured as a mobile air defense command post. The platform is designed to combine armored protection, high mobility, and advanced command-and-control functions, giving operators a resilient and flexible tool for modern air defense coordination.
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The Novator 2 APC with integrated Krechet system, unveiled at MSPO 2025, is a 4x4 armored command vehicle offering STANAG 4569 protection, high mobility, and advanced C2 integration for coordinating air defense operations against drones, helicopters, and low-flying aircraft (Picture source: Army Recognition Group).

The Novator 2 is an upgraded evolution of the original Novator armored vehicle, designed by UkrInnMash and marketed by Ukraine Armor. It is built on a 4x4 chassis and classified as an armored personnel carrier with a combat weight of approximately 9 to 10 tons depending on configuration. The vehicle offers ballistic protection in line with STANAG 4569 Level 2, capable of withstanding 7.62×39 mm armor-piercing rounds, with options to increase armor packages up to Level 3, which provides resistance against 7.62×51 mm NATO AP ammunition. Its mine protection is rated to withstand blasts equivalent to 6 kg of TNT under the wheels or the hull, ensuring survivability against anti-tank mines and improvised explosive devices.

The vehicle measures around 6 meters in length, 2.5 meters in width, and 2.3 meters in height, making it compact enough for rapid deployment while still offering space for a driver, commander, and additional personnel or mission-specific equipment. It is powered by a turbocharged diesel engine, often quoted at 300 hp, providing a top road speed of around 120 km/h and an operational range exceeding 500 km on a full fuel load. The independent suspension and large all-terrain tires ensure mobility in both urban and off-road environments, with the ability to tackle gradients, rough terrain, and water obstacles. The vehicle is also fitted with a central tire inflation system, enhancing its adaptability across diverse landscapes.

The Krechet system turns the Novator 2 into more than just a troop carrier. It is specifically configured as a mobile air defense command post, integrating advanced communications, radar connectivity, and tactical data processing systems. Its role is to monitor airspace, detect and track aerial threats, and coordinate mobile air defense systems such as MANPADS units, short-range missile batteries, or mobile gun systems. Equipped with secure communications suites and encrypted data links, the Krechet allows commanders to connect seamlessly into broader command networks, ensuring rapid information flow and immediate engagement orders against hostile drones, helicopters, and low-flying fixed-wing aircraft.

The Novator 2 with Krechet provides enhanced flexibility. Its mobility allows rapid redeployment of command nodes in response to shifting threats, ensuring uninterrupted coordination of dispersed air defense assets. The interior is configured with modern operator workstations, power distribution systems, and mission equipment racks, allowing for long-duration operations without the need for a static base. Its smaller size compared to larger command vehicles makes it less vulnerable to detection and targeting while still providing the necessary operational capabilities.

The unveiling of this vehicle at MSPO 2025 comes at a time when Ukraine seeks to expand its defense partnerships with NATO and European countries. The lessons of the ongoing war in Ukraine have demonstrated the critical importance of agile and networked air defense solutions to counter the widespread use of drones, loitering munitions, and precision airstrikes. The Novator 2 with Krechet represents a relatively cost-effective and versatile option for militaries looking to strengthen their air defense coordination without investing exclusively in larger, more expensive command vehicles. For NATO members, it offers an interoperable platform capable of fitting into existing C2 architectures while adding battlefield mobility.

The Novator 2 APC with the integrated Krechet system is positioned as a modern, flexible, and survivable solution to the challenges of contemporary air defense command and control. With its balance of protection, mobility, and advanced C2 integration, the vehicle reflects Ukraine’s determination to maintain and expand its role as a defense technology provider in Europe. Its presentation at MSPO 2025 underlines both the growing demand for agile command solutions and the geopolitical significance of Ukraine’s defense industry at a time of heightened regional security concerns.