Thirty Japanese-made four-wheel-drive military vehicles have been transferred to the Ukrainian armed forces, according to reports published by the Russian military-focused Telegram channel Voennyi Obozrevatel.
The vehicles are military versions of the Toyota Mega Cruiser, a heavy-duty off-road platform produced between 1995 and 2002. Images circulating online show right-hand-drive models originally operated by Japan’s Self-Defense Forces before being handed over to Ukraine.
The Toyota Mega Cruiser is widely regarded as Japan’s counterpart to the US-made Humvee, large numbers of which have already been supplied to Ukrainian units. Designed for demanding terrain and military logistics, the Mega Cruiser is built for troop transport and operational mobility.
Technical specifications of the Toyota Mega Cruiser include a length of 5,090 millimeters, a width of 2,169 millimeters, a height of 2,075 millimeters, and ground clearance of 420 millimeters. The vehicle weighs approximately 2,901 kilograms and is powered by a diesel engine producing between 150 and 170 horsepower. It features an automatic transmission, a top speed of 130 kilometers per hour, a 110-litre fuel tank, and seating capacity for six personnel.
The report noted that multiple variants of the Mega Cruiser were developed over the years for different military and utility roles. However, the units delivered to Ukraine are configured specifically for personnel transport and frontline support operations.
Japan has gradually expanded its non-lethal and logistical assistance to Ukraine since the start of the conflict, marking a notable shift in Tokyo’s post-war defense policy. The delivery of these vehicles is seen as part of broader international efforts to enhance the mobility and resilience of the Ukrainian armed forces amid ongoing hostilities.
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