To replace the M113 tracked armored vehicles being sent to Ukraine, the U.S. Army plans to follow a one-to-one replacement strategy, substituting the older M-113s with next-generation Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicles (AMPVs). The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) announced this significant commitment to Ukraine’s defense efforts at the beginning of January 2025, revealing that 900 M-113 armored personnel carriers (APCs) and 300 armored medical treatment vehicles will be transferred to Ukraine. This donation is part of an ongoing U.S. effort to bolster Ukraine’s military capabilities in its conflict with Russia. However, this transfer places additional pressure on the U.S. Army’s own modernization goals, specifically the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle program, as the Army works to replace the older M-113s with its next-generation AMPV platforms.
The vehicles being pledged to Ukraine include 900 M-113 APCs (Armored Personnel Carriers), which have been a cornerstone of mechanized infantry for over six decades. These vehicles will provide critical mobility and protection for Ukraine’s forces, strengthening its mechanized infantry and medical evacuation capabilities. Many of the M-113s are expected to be older variants, reflecting their long-standing service with the U.S. military and its allies. Additionally, the package includes 300 armored medical treatment vehicles, likely variants of the M-113, which will enhance Ukraine’s medical evacuation (CASEVAC) and field treatment capacities—an essential component of modern military operations. This move reflects a deepening commitment by the U.S. to support Ukraine in its efforts to counter Russian invasion, though it also presents a challenge to the Army’s own armored vehicle fleet modernization.
In response to the transfer, the U.S. Army has committed to replacing each of the 900 M-113s sent to Ukraine with new AMPVs (Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicles), a platform designed to provide superior mobility, protection, and survivability for U.S. forces in combat. The AMPV is part of a broader effort to modernize the Army’s armored vehicle fleet and to replace legacy systems like the M-113 with more advanced, capable platforms. The AMPV family includes five distinct variants, each tailored to support different operational roles within Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCTs). These variants include the M1283 General Purpose (GP) variant, designed to support infantry during mounted and dismounted operations; the M1284 Medical Evacuation (ME) variant, which is equipped for CASEVAC operations; the M1285 Medical Treatment (MT) variant, a mobile surgery suite; the M1286 Mission Command (MCmd) variant, which enhances command and control capabilities; and the M1287 Mortar Carrier (MC) variant, which provides immediate mortar fire support. Each variant is engineered to offer increased operational flexibility, improved protection, and better survivability, ensuring U.S. forces are better equipped for the modern battlefield.