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Originally Posted by Raellus
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Interesting link, thank you for sharing. I sometimes think the Ukrainian MoD is running to many projects at one time and does neitzer prioritize well nor do they look for synergies. Instead of slapping this and that onto various MT-LB and MT-LBu APCs, I think it would be less time and ressource consuming to put a mid-weight RWS ontop of these oldtimers.
Rheinmetall's FLW200 can mount a M2 .50 cal and smoke launchers, while offering excellent optronics, without the need for punching big holes through the roof plate. The similar sized Kongsberg RS.4 can even add an ATGM while carrying a GPMG (maybe even an HMG), which would give a previously unarmed APC anti-tank capabilities.
Sure, it wouldn't be the TOW of a Bradley, but Spike and Javelin are good enough. And while it's a one-shot weapon that would need to be reloaded by a crew member leaving armor protetion for the process, it's better than nothing and infact quite something.
Adding spaced steel armor to the front and 1/3 or even 2/3 of the sides should also be enough and keep the MT-LBu from loosing to much of it's already feable power. And since modern non-penetrating RWS can be placed anywhere on top of a vehicle, putting them as far rearward as possible, balances out any front-heavy add-on armor.
As a bonus, modern RWS can be salvaged easily and repaired separetely. Buying 120 percent of needed units would allow for a floating reserve that could be screwed on, once a mounted unit receives battle damage. Servicing them could be done in country or in a service hub in Poland, Slovakia Romania or even further West.