UkrArmoTech UAT-TISA Radiation and Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle

History

The UkrArmoTech UAT-TISA radiation and chemical reconnaissance vehicle is a Ukrainian protected reconnaissance platform developed for the National Guard of Ukraine. It combines the TISA light armored vehicle with instruments and automated systems for detecting, monitoring, processing, and reporting radiation and chemical hazards.

The vehicle was developed to replace the Soviet UAZ-469RKhB chemical reconnaissance vehicle, which was based on an unarmored civilian-derived off-road platform. The new TISA-based configuration allows personnel to investigate hazardous areas while remaining inside an armored cabin and to transmit collected information to command in real time.

The first TISA-based radiation and chemical reconnaissance vehicles were delivered to National Guard radiation, chemical, and biological protection units in August 2026. The National Guard stated that the design was created to its technical requirements in response to contemporary battlefield hazards and the continuing need to monitor radiation risks around critical infrastructure.

Development of the TISA platform

UkrArmoTech publicly presented the UAT-TISA light armored pickup at the IDEX 2025 exhibition in Abu Dhabi. The company described the vehicle as a protected platform for personnel transport, ammunition delivery, cargo transport, low-risk tactical missions, mobile response, and rapid deployment. The base vehicle uses a reinforced Toyota Land Cruiser LC79 chassis, with UkrArmoTech modifying the running gear and installing strengthened components. A contemporary description of the platform and its characteristics was published by Militarnyi.

The first batch of domestically produced TISA armored vehicles was transferred to Ukrainian Defense Forces in May 2025. The radiation and chemical reconnaissance configuration followed as a specialized adaptation of the same protected vehicle family.

Radiation and chemical reconnaissance configuration

By August 2026, the National Guard had commissioned a dedicated reconnaissance version of TISA. National Guard commander Oleksandr Pivnenko stated that the vehicle was developed according to the service's technical specification and was intended to improve the speed and safety of radiation and chemical monitoring.

The National Guard received the first vehicles of this configuration in August 2026. According to Ukrinform, the vehicles were delivered to radiation, chemical, and biological protection units and replaced the Soviet-era UAZ-469RKhB in this role. The new platform permits reconnaissance and monitoring from inside the protected vehicle rather than requiring personnel to operate outside the cabin in a potentially contaminated area.

Design

The reconnaissance vehicle is based on the UAT-TISA light armored vehicle and therefore uses a reinforced Toyota Land Cruiser LC79 chassis. On the base TISA, occupants are carried inside an armored capsule separated from the engine and fuel tanks. The crew stations were designed with mine-blast survivability in mind.

UkrArmoTech states that the TISA platform provides STANAG 4569 Level 1 protection. The stated ballistic protection covers non-armor-piercing 7.62×51 mm ammunition at distances greater than 30 m. The manufacturer also states protection against fragments from a 155 mm high-explosive projectile detonating at a distance of at least 80 m. The reported mine-protection standard includes a 3 kg explosive charge beneath the center of the vehicle and DM 51-type grenades.

Reconnaissance equipment

The specialized vehicle carries radiation and chemical reconnaissance instruments together with an automated information collection and processing system. A weather station provides local meteorological information relevant to evaluating the spread of hazardous material. Satellite navigation, modern communications equipment, and digital data links allow collected information to be transmitted to command in real time.

The reconnaissance configuration also includes night-vision equipment, ventilation, and air-filtration systems. These systems are intended to allow the crew to continue monitoring in difficult conditions while remaining within the protected cabin.

Base vehicle layout

The standard TISA light armored vehicle was described as accommodating four people, including two crew members, and carrying cargo weighing up to 1,000 kg. These figures describe the base TISA platform; the available sources do not provide a confirmed personnel or payload figure for the fully equipped radiation and chemical reconnaissance configuration.

Operational history

The National Guard of Ukraine announced the receipt of the first TISA-based radiation and chemical reconnaissance vehicles in August 2026. They were assigned to radiation, chemical, and biological protection units responsible for detecting hazardous substances, determining contamination boundaries, monitoring affected areas, and transmitting information to commanders.

The new vehicles replaced the UAZ-469RKhB, a Soviet chemical reconnaissance vehicle developed during the 1980s from a civilian off-road design. Ukrainian officials emphasized that the older vehicle lacked adequate armor protection and that its original equipment did not meet contemporary requirements for monitoring modern radiation and chemical hazards.

The available sources confirm delivery to National Guard units but do not describe specific combat missions conducted by the TISA reconnaissance vehicles.

Variants

• UAT-TISA: Base light armored pickup developed by UkrArmoTech on a reinforced Toyota Land Cruiser LC79 chassis for protected personnel transport, cargo movement, mobile response, and related military tasks.
• TISA radiation and chemical reconnaissance vehicle: Specialized National Guard configuration equipped with radiation and chemical reconnaissance instruments, automated information processing, a weather station, communications, satellite navigation, night vision, ventilation, and air filtration.
• TISA OPM: Specialized operational-pyrotechnic configuration developed for engineer and explosive-ordnance-disposal tasks of Ukrainian defense and emergency-service units.

Operators

• National Guard of Ukraine: Received the first TISA-based radiation and chemical reconnaissance vehicles in August 2026 for its radiation, chemical, and biological protection units. The number delivered was not disclosed in the available sources.

Specifications (TISA radiation and chemical reconnaissance vehicle)

General characteristics

• Country of origin: Ukraine
• Manufacturer: UkrArmoTech
• Base chassis: Reinforced Toyota Land Cruiser LC79
• Protection standard: STANAG 4569 Level 1 as stated for the TISA platform

Mission equipment

• Hazard detection: Radiation and chemical reconnaissance instruments
• Data system: Automated information collection and processing system
• Meteorological equipment: Weather station
• Navigation: Satellite navigation
• Communications: Modern communications equipment and digital data transmission capability
• Observation: Night-vision equipment
• Crew protection systems: Ventilation and air filtration

Related equipment

• UAZ-469RKhB: Soviet chemical reconnaissance vehicle replaced by the TISA-based system in National Guard service.