Belgian YPR-765 PRI IFVs spotted in Ukraine

31 August, 2023 YPR-795 PRI IFV of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The first infantry fighting vehicle YPR-765 in the PRI variant produced by the Dutch company DAF and transferred from a private collector was spotted in Ukraine. The corresponding video was published by the Ukrainian Front user on Twitter.

The PRI (Pantser Rups Infanterie) armored vehicles are equipped with an EWS turret with a Swiss Oerlikon KBA B02 25mm gun capable of fighting lightly armored targets and infantry. Combined with the gun, a twin FN MAG 7.62mm machine gun is installed on the armored vehicle. As part of the ground forces of the Netherlands and Belgium, the vehicles were used as IFVs for the transportation of personnel as part of mechanized units. The squad compartment houses seven equipped infantry who load and leave the vehicle through the ramp.

Squad compartment of the YPR-765 PRI IFV.

Photo from the author's archive

The difference between Dutch and Belgian vehicles is in smoke grenade launchers placement. In the Netherlands, a block of six launchers is installed on the upper glacis plate, on the Belgian they were transferred to the turret. Ammunition capacity for a 25mm gun is 180 rounds of which 105 armor-piercing and 75 high explosive.

Additional ammunition is 140 rounds. The EWS turret is equipped with a day and night gun sight.

Placement of smoke grenade launchers on the Dutch (left) YPR-765 PRI IFV and the Belgian one (right). Photo from the open sources

In addition, the IFV, on the basis of the YPR-765 armored vehicle, were created the following vehicles: self-propelled PRAT ATGM, armored personnel carrier, ARV, medical evacuation vehicle, as well as an option for military police.

A special embrasure for firing from inside the squad compartment is mounted in the ramp. As Militarnyi reported earlier, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg will finance the transfer of ?113 armored personnel carriers to Ukraine. Minister of Defense of Belgium Ludivine Dedonder noted that the Benelux countries reaffirmed their unwavering determination to support Ukraine in response to unacceptable Russian aggression.

M113 armored personnel carriers will be purchased from the industry and repaired.

Together with the equipment, Ukraine will also receive the necessary spare parts.