Ukraine using e-bikes and rockets to hit Russian tanks

Ukrainian electric motorbike company Delfast is supplying its 320km range bikes to the Ukraine military, carrying rockets to strike Russian tanks.

The bikes have functional pedals to enable more range and a hand throttle allowing riders to use the pedals as foot rests when needed while maintaining speed and navigating difficult terrain, Electrek reports.

Modified to carry Next-Generation Light Anti-Armour Weapons (NLAW rockets), the Delfast bikes can reach 80km/h and their travel suspension and load-carrying ability allows them to navigate forest trails or places where trails don’t exist.

The 1.5kg rocket can be easily carried by people but is it easier to take on long journeys when carried on the back of a bike, says Electrek.

It adds that Ukrainian forces are already using multiple types of light electric two-wheelers to help repel invading Russian forces.

Ukrainian company Eleek supplies silent, powerful electric motorbikes for Ukrainian military use, mainly by snipers.

Electric motorcycles and e-bikes are rapidly becoming more common in militaries around the world, Electrek notes.

For instance, Norway’s armed forces began testing fat tyre electric bikes in border guard patrols in 2018.

The New Zealand Defence Force has introduced EVs, including trialling Tauranga-based UBCO electric motorbikes in 2020 and it got funding for EVs last year.