Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense has approved the Djura 4×4 light armored vehicle for the military’s medical evacuation tasks.
The system is produced by domestic automobile developer Practika and was first unveiled for the market in July 2024.
Its chassis will be fitted with reinforced front and rear suspension, stronger brake grip, and additional protection on its external hull.
Kyiv noted that the platform’s selection is driven by its “optimal” design that matches the armed forces’ requirements for wounded troop transport.
“In a war with a Russian aggressor, when the enemy does not adhere to any conventions and uses various means of destruction against medics and their transport, the evacuation of a wounded soldier is often a difficult and dangerous task,” Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister Valery Churkin commented.
“And here the evacuation transport plays a crucial role. Its running characteristics, ballistic protection, and the availability of means to counter attacks by enemy [unmanned aerial vehicles]. Often, the chances of successfully completing the evacuation task in difficult situations depend on this.”
Practika’s Djura Chassis
The Djura is based on the Toyota Land Cruiser 79 Series vehicle and is offered in metal body, truck bed, tilt body, and trailer variants.
It measures 5.4 meters (18 feet) long and weighs about 5,000 kilograms (11,023 pounds). The system has Standard 1 NATO armor, blast protection against hand grenades, and seating capacity for up to four personnel.
For its ambulance function, the platform can be configured for up to six people and can be installed with an automatic stretcher loading system, specialized air conditioning, video surveillance, and other medical apparatus.
Djura is powered by either a 2.8 or 5.5-liter diesel engine with up to 220 horsepower for a maximum speed of 120 kilometers (75 miles) per hour and a range of 1,300 kilometers (2,092 miles).
