The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine received a Bo 105-Е4 helicopter and a KTM 450 ЕХС motorcycle
15 October, 2023 Albanian Bo 105-E4 helicopter. Photo from open sources The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has passed into service new models of equipment of German and Austrian production.
The press service of the Ministry of Defense reported this on its social media pages. This regards the German Bo 105-?4 helicopter and the Austrian KTM 450 ??? motorcycle. The Bo 105 is a light multi-purpose twin-engine helicopter developed by the German company Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm.
The helicopter made its first flight on February 16, 1967, and its mass production was ongoing until 2001. Due to its great popularity globally, production facilities were deployed in Canada, Spain, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
German Bo 105 helicopter. Photo from open sources
During the entire production period around the world, about 1,500 units rolled off the assembly line.
Ukraine seeks to obtain an export version of the Bo 105-?4 converted from the Bundeswehr's Bo 105P anti-tank variant. The first country to receive a helicopter in ?4 variant was Albania, which purchased 12 helicopters for EUR 10 million. Deliveries of Albanian Bo 105-?4 started in 2006.
Albanian Bo 105-E4 helicopter.
Photo from open sources
The E4s are undergoing an in-depth repair and modernization program, including avionics replacement. The Albanian version does not use HOT ATGMs. Therefore, it is not known whether the Ukrainian version of the helicopter will be equipped with weapons.
Ukrainian Bo 105-?4 will most likely be used for transport missions. The helicopter can take on board up to 4 people, and its maximum takeoff weight is 2500 kilograms. The operational range reaches 575 kilometers.
The cruising speed is 204 kilometers per hour. The KTM 450 EXC is a cross-country (enduro) motorcycle that is a benchmark among motorcycle enthusiasts. The motorcycle has been constantly improved based on rider feedback.
Motorcycle KTM 450 ???.
Photo from open sources
The gasoline engine has a power of 48 horsepower, and the weight of the motorcycle is 105 kilograms.
The motorcycle will be used to transport personnel and light weapons in rough terrain.