The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine codified and approved for supply to the Armed Forces of Ukraine the armored backhoe loader UAT-SPIDER.
The ministry reported that the vehicle was developed specifically for the needs of military engineering units. During trials, the UAT-SPIDER confirmed its declared specifications and capabilities.
The excavator’s primary tasks include preparing positions and command posts, constructing and restoring military roads, laying temporary routes, digging trenches and excavation pits, earth removal, and building embankments.
One of the UAT-SPIDER’s distinctive features is its high maneuverability. The vehicle can operate in confined spaces and hard-to-reach locations. The excavator does not necessarily require a transport trailer to move between work areas.
The armored excavator weighs over 10 tonnes, has a payload capacity of over 3 tonnes, and is capable of reaching speeds of nearly 40 km/h. The cab and critical components are protected against bullets and fragments in accordance with STANAG 4569 Level 1. Anti-mine protection is also provided.
The Ministry of Defense notes that the UAT-SPIDER was manufactured at a Ukrainian defense enterprise with experience in producing armored vehicles for the Defense Forces. The excavator itself is built on the basis of a multipurpose backhoe loader of foreign manufacture.
The design ensures component repairability, availability of spare parts and consumables, as well as simplified maintenance.
