Battle-Ready Beast: Armored Toyota V8 LandCruiser Joins Ukraine’s Defense Fleet

Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense has officially approved an armored version of the Toyota LandCruiser 79 Series for battlefield deployment. Dubbed the ‘Dzhura,’ this militarized vehicle transforms the iconic off-roader into a protected transport capable of withstanding rifle fire and grenades.

Developed by Ukrainian military firm Praktyka, the Dzhura maintains the LandCruiser’s renowned reliability while adding critical protection for troops. The vehicle can be configured to transport either four soldiers with cargo space or six personnel in an extended armored cabin.

Despite weighing five tonnes, the Dzhura is considered relatively nimble for an armored vehicle. It features the robust 4.5-liter turbocharged diesel V8 engine (producing 151kW and 430Nm) paired with a five-speed manual transmission – a powertrain praised for being “powerful,” “simple,” and “reliable” in combat situations.

Military customization options include an open turret with a 7.62-caliber machine gun. While designed primarily for “low-risk tactical tasks” and unable to withstand landmine detonations, the vehicle will serve Ukraine’s police and Special Operations Forces.

Praktyka representatives specifically highlighted the LandCruiser’s exceptional chassis strength and suspension design, calling it one of the few remaining “old-school” four-wheel drives with the durability needed for military applications.