US gives armored ambulances to Ukrainian military
U.S. military representatives have given the first five of the 40 planned Burtek B4731 medical evacuation vehicles for use by the Ukrainian military; the vehicles were delivered to the parade ground of the central area of the International peacekeeping and security camp.
As reported on the website of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, acting Ukrainian Minister of Health, Uliana Suprun, and the Commander of the National Land Forces Academy, Lt. Gen. Pavlo Tkachuk, represented Ukraine at the ceremony. The Americans were represented by the commander of the ground forces of the U.S. Armed Forces in Europe, Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, and head of the U.S. Army Regional Health Command Europe, Brigadier General Dennis P. LeMaster.
During the briefing, Suprun thanked the Americans for their assistance. "I am pleased to see these medical vehicles behind me, as an indicator of another stage of aid from the United States to Ukraine," Hodges noted in his speech and assured all present that the U.S. will continue to assist Ukraine in every possible way.
Afterwards, everyone had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the structure, purpose and equipment of the vehicles. After the proper training of Ukrainian attendants and medical staff, all the vehicles will be handed over to the military units that carry out missions in the Donbas.
The Burtek B4731 ambulance car is built for field conditions and its design is based on the Hummer. It can carry four patients on stretchers or six sitting. The cabin for patients is equipped with heating and air conditioning systems, as well as oxygen supply systems for six patients and all the necessary equipment to provide emergency medical care.