Sixth MedEvac vehicle delivered to Ukraine
On Ukraine’s Independence Day, a sixth specially built medical evacuation vehicle was formally handed over to the Black Swan unit in Sumy.
The vehicle was delivered as part of transport number 89 from Fritt Ukraina and was dispatched eastward for operational use the very same day.
Photos: Fritt Ukraina
Purpose-built for frontline conditions
The new MedEvac vehicle has been developed in close cooperation with Ferno Norden Military Systems and is purpose-built for the extreme conditions found near the frontline. The platform is a Volkswagen Transporter with four-wheel drive, extensively modified and equipped to enable rapid evacuation of wounded soldiers and civilians from high-risk areas.
The vehicle is configured with a robust manual Ferno stretcher, spine boards, medical backpacks, soft stretchers, a dedicated medic seat, and both red and white tactical lighting. Interior surfaces are designed for rapid cleaning and decontamination, and multifunctional panels allow flexible and secure mounting of medical equipment.
Every design choice is driven by one core requirement: reliability under fire and immediate usability from the first day of deployment.
Speed as a life-saving factor
A MedEvac vehicle serves a fundamentally different role than a conventional ambulance. While ambulances are designed for treatment during transport, a MedEvac platform is optimised for speed, access, and survivability.
Its primary task is to extract casualties from exposed or dangerous areas and move them rapidly to safer positions. From there, patients can be transferred to stabilisation points where life-saving interventions are performed before onward transport to hospital facilities. In high-intensity combat environments, this reduction in exposure time is often decisive for survival.
Operational input from Ukrainian medics
The collaboration between Fritt Ukraina and Ferno Norden Military Systems is based on continuous dialogue with Ukrainian frontline medics. Their direct operational experience has informed everything from interior layout to equipment selection and lighting configuration.
The result is a vehicle tailored to real-world conditions rather than theoretical requirements, ensuring immediate operational value and maximum impact in the field.
According to Fritt Ukraina, the ability to deliver high-quality, mission-ready vehicles is made possible through close cooperation between Norwegian donors, industry partners, volunteers, and Ukrainian end users.
Continued deliveries planned
The delivery of the sixth MedEvac vehicle underlines what can be achieved when civil engagement, industrial competence, and frontline experience are combined. Further deliveries are already being planned, continuing the effort to strengthen evacuation capacity for both military personnel and civilians affected by the conflict.
For Ferno Norden Military Systems, these vehicles represent more than transport assets. They are a critical link in the evacuation chain, designed to function under the harshest conditions and contribute directly to saving lives along the frontline.
