MaxxPro: How US-Israeli Armor in Ukrainian Battle Really Saves Lives of Ukrainian Defenders

On July 26, 2025, the official website ArmyInform (Ministry of Defense of Ukraine) published a detailed article "American-Israeli Armor in Ukrainian Battle: MaxxPro Upgrade from SSO" about the use of MaxxPro armored vehicles in SSO units of Ukraine.
This material directly emphasizes the role of Israeli technologies and the contribution of the Israeli company Plasan Sasa.
"Fighters of the 4th SSO Ranger Regiment demonstrated their combat companion — the MaxxPro armored vehicle, which has undergone an upgrade and received additional protection against FPV drones.
The regiment notes that it is not in vain that MaxxPro is the result of cooperation between American and Israeli defense companies — the vehicle combines advanced technologies and many years of combat experience in hot spots around the world.
“Defend your loved ones with modern weapons together with the 4th SSO Ranger Regiment,” the unit urged. – Together we destroy the enemy, defending every centimeter of Ukrainian land.”
We analyze how and why this armor really saves the lives of Ukrainian defenders.

MaxxPro: how American-Israeli armor in the Ukrainian battle really saves the lives of Ukrainian defenders

What is MaxxPro: not just an “American vehicle”

MaxxPro is an MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) class armored vehicle. The main task is to protect the crew and landing force from mines, IEDs, shelling and modern drones.
Design: chassis of the American truck Navistar International, armored hull, V-shaped bottom to dissipate the energy of the explosion, capacity up to 7 soldiers.
MaxxPro is able to move over rough terrain, evacuate the wounded, deliver people to dangerous areas and take them back, even if an explosive device has worked.
Who and how produces MaxxPro
The development of MaxxPro was carried out by the American company Navistar Defense — the military division of the large automotive concern Navistar International, Illinois, USA.
In cooperation with Navistar, key protection components and the armored capsule itself were designed and supplied by the Israeli Plasan Sasa (see below).
Production is organized in the USA, final assembly was carried out at American factories. Armor modules come from Israel — serially, on an industrial scale, according to US Army standards.
MaxxPro is not a one-off product, but a mass-produced armored vehicle. Before the war in Ukraine, more than 9,000 such vehicles were produced for the US Army and its allies.
Plasan Sasa: what is this company and what is it known for
Plasan Sasa is a leading Israeli manufacturer of protective solutions for military equipment. It is based in Kibbutz Sasa, in northern Israel, and has been operating since 1985.
Plasan specializes in composite armor, multilayer armor packages, mine protection, and custom modules for different types of equipment.
Plasan's clients are the Israeli Ministry of Defense, the USA, the French army, the UK and many others.
Plasan’s contribution to MaxxPro: the design and production of all key armor, including the unique V-shaped bottom, protection panels against mines, shelling, artillery, and modern drones.

How MaxxPro came to Ukraine

In 2022–2023, the United States supplied several batches of MaxxPro to Ukraine:
- The first batch — about 40 units in the summer of 2022.
- In the fall of 2022 — another approximately 200 vehicles from US military reserves.
- Additional supplies from Albania (another 22 vehicles, also with Israeli armor).
As of 2025, up to 440 MaxxPro are in operation on the Ukrainian front. Some vehicles are damaged or destroyed, some are upgraded by Ukrainian engineers.
How MaxxPro is different on the battlefield
- MaxxPro really withstands detonations on mines and IEDs, unlike outdated equipment.
- Israeli Plasan armor protects the crew from modern FPV drones, which have become especially numerous at the front.
- The vehicle is suitable for quick evacuation, breakthrough to positions, rescuing the wounded, escorting columns.
Ukrainian fighters actively upgrade MaxxPro: install additional screens, nets against drones, strengthen the armor — this experience is noted in the ArmyInform publication.
Why the contribution of Plasan Sasa is key
Without Israeli engineering solutions, MaxxPro would not have been so effective.
- Composite armor is a product of Plasan, its know-how.
- The V-shaped bottom is also an Israeli development, used since the 1990s in Israel and exported to the USA.
- The reliability and standards of Plasan armor are recognized worldwide and have become the basis for mass American MRAPs.
MaxxPro is not just an American armored vehicle, but a product of cooperation between two defense schools. The Israeli company Plasan Sasa has brought to it the engineering solutions that today save the lives of Ukrainians on the front line.
The supply of MaxxPro is an example of real, not declarative, international support. https://nikk.agency/en/maxxpro-how/