Belgian defense firm John Cockerill Defense will modify 113 military vehicles into ambulances for Ukraine as part of the country’s ongoing support amid Russia’s continued invasion.
The project includes 11 BAE Systems Bandvagn 206 (BV-206) all-terrain vehicles and 102 Mercedes-Benz Unimog U4000 trucks, which will be refurbished and delivered to Kyiv, according to Ukrainian state-run outlet UNITED24.
The contract follows previous upgrades of M113 armored carriers and BV-206s that Cockerill completed for Ukraine in 2023 and 2024.
“In a war where mobility and the ability to save lives are crucial, every ambulance, every truck, can prove decisive,” Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken said during the approval for the latest batch in July.
“We are strengthening not only the logistics of the Ukrainian forces, but also their ability to protect and care for their soldiers.”
Production and Delivery Plans
Cockerill, based in Liège, is collaborating with Mercedes and Belgium’s Lambert Group, which will provide tires, transmissions, and related components.
While Cockerill has previously worked with the BV-206 vehicle, this marks the first time it will modify the Unimog platform.
The first ambulances are expected by the end of 2025, with the rest arriving in early 2026.
The contract, valued in the “tens of millions of euros,” also helps maintain operations at Cockerill’s Aubange site, securing local jobs as the company expands defense exports.
The firm reported $1.4 billion in revenue last year but continues to face tough competition for major defense contracts. This has prompted it to urge the Belgian government to speed up the contracting process to deliver equipment to Ukraine more quickly, according to sources.
The BV-206 and Unimog U4000
The BV-206 measures 7 meters (23 feet) long and has a capacity for up to 17 people.
It can carry up to 2,250 kilograms (4,960 pounds) of cargo and be armed with a mounted heavy machine gun, smoke grenade launchers, and mortars for combat.
The platform is equipped with a 132-horsepower Ford Cologne V6 engine for a top speed of 65 kilometers (40 miles) per hour and a range of approximately 330 kilometers (205 miles).
Meanwhile, the Unimog U4000 is 6 meters (20 feet) in length and can seat up to seven personnel.
The truck has a payload capacity of 3,000 kilograms (6,614 pounds) and is fitted with a Euro 5 Mercedes-Benz OM LA engine with an output of 222 horsepower for a maximum speed of 90 kilometers (56 miles) per hour.
