The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense (MODU) approved the “Djura,” an armored vehicle based on the Toyota Land Cruiser 70 chassis, for military operations in August 2024. The vehicle was developed by Ukrainian defense contractor NVO “Praktyka” and has recently gained attention after being reported on by Road & Track.
The Djura features a PSZA-4 level armored capsule, providing protection equivalent to NATO’s STANAG 4569 Level 1 standards. This level of armor ensures resistance against 5.45mm rounds and the detonation of multiple grenades. The vehicle is equipped with a turret-mounted 7.62mm machine gun for offensive operations.
🇺🇦 Ukrainian MoD approved “Dzhura” armored car for operation.
❗️The light armored car equipped with a 5.45-mm bulletproof capsule, providing protection against the detonation of several grenades + turret with a 7.62 mm machine gun. pic.twitter.com/6RprRhjwHS
— MAKS 24 🇺🇦👀 (@Maks_NAFO_FELLA) August 2, 2024
Powering the Djura is a 4.5-liter turbodiesel V8 engine, delivering 200 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. It offers flexibility in transmission configurations, with options for automatic, semi-automatic, and manual gearboxes to meet various operational demands.
The Djura is designed for tasks such as casualty evacuation, supply drops, and special operations. Its lightweight design and off-road capabilities allow it to operate in terrain where heavier vehicles may encounter difficulties.
The Directorate General for Armament and Military Equipment Life Cycle Support certified the Djura in August after an expedited ten-day process. The vehicle’s inclusion in Ukraine’s military fleet was noted for its quick turnaround, addressing the need for adaptable assets in ongoing conflicts.
This is not the first Toyota-based armored vehicle used in Ukraine. In December 2022, the Titan-S, a 4×4 APC developed by UAE-based Inkas Vehicles LLC, was observed in use and posted on Russian social platform VK. Built on a Toyota Land Cruiser 79 Series OEM chassis, the Titan-S featured an open turret mount, bulletproof windows, and compatibility with remote-controlled weapon systems.
🇺🇦#Ukrainian Inkas Titan-S 4×4 APC in #Pripyat, #Kyiv oblast.
The Titan-S is a United Arab Emirates (🇦🇪#UAE) APC built on a #Toyota LandCruiser 79 chassis designed primarily for security forces.
Thanks to @BuschModelar 🫶 for the ID. pic.twitter.com/xU5f6VyurU
— 𝕻𝖗𝖆𝖎𝖘𝖊 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕾𝖙𝖊𝖕𝖍 (@praisethesteph) December 7, 2022
While the Djura and Titan-S are distinct platforms, the latter may have influenced some aspects of the Djura’s design. Militarnyi, a popular Ukrainian military publication, released an in-depth video on Youtube showcasing the vehicle for those interested. Youtube does offer closed-caption translations, though accuracy is not guaranteed.
