Helsinki, March 17, 2026
Texelis Defense and Finland's SCATA today announced the launch of a new 18-ton class multipurpose tactical vehicle, the SCATA MK1.
Positioned between light tactical vehicles with a maximum GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of 14 tonnes and heavier 6×6 or 8×8 armored platforms, the SCATA MK1 combines protection, carrying capacity, mobility and modularity.
Based on Texelis Defense's Celeris mobility solution, this multi-role armored vehicle is designed to meet the demands of modern warfare. Based on an industrial development initially led by France, this program will establish a new sovereign production capacity in Finland, while mobilizing the local industrial ecosystem.
Developed in less than a year and soon to be presented at Eurosatory, it symbolizes the agility and responsiveness of new players on a European scale, capable of developing short-cycle operational solutions by pragmatically building on elements already developed, tested and qualified, at a time when Europe is seeking to strengthen its industrial defense capabilities.
Features and variants
The SCATA MK1 is an 18-ton GVW (gross vehicle weight) multipurpose vehicle, designed to support a wide range of missions. Variants include :
- Troop transport (APC)
- Special Forces
- Recognition
- Anti-Drone Fighting (LAD/C-UAV)
- Short-range ground-to-air defense (DSA-CP/SHORAD)
These high-added-value variants are particularly consistent with the high mobility and payload enabled by the Celeris platform.
The architecture of the Mk1 is based on recent lessons learned from modern conflicts, notably the war in Ukraine, where battlefields are marked by :
Significant destructuring of routes, with an increased need for crossings; ;
A high operational tempo, with maximum Technical Operational Availability (TOA) and the highest possible reparability; ;
- Intensive use of drones; ;
- Mines ;
- A greater need for modularity in operations.
Celeris: a capacity multiplier
The vehicle is built on Celeris, Texelis Defense's co-development offering for NATO tactical vehicles. This offer is based on a specifically military mobility developed by Texelis Defense and already used by several hundred vehicles around the world, with significant operational feedback. Celeris is designed for the most demanding environments. It integrates exclusively military components, developed or selected, specified, adapted, tested and proven by Texelis Defense during a development process lasting several years.
On the technical front, Celeris integrates :
- T750 axles with independent suspensions, produced by Texelis Defense, for a GVWR of 18.5 tonnes and top-level off-road dynamics;
- The rear axle is a trailing-arm design, which means simpler integration into the armored body, more interior space at the rear of the vehicle, and better structural protection; ;
- These T750 axles are fitted with Michelin's latest-generation XZL tires and CTIS (tire inflation pressure control systems) for optimized handling on soft ground such as sand or mud.
- A complete powertrain (GMP) built around a 9L Euro3 engine (Cummins) developing 375 hp, combined with an Allison gearbox and a PowerLine transfer case.
- An electrical and electronic architecture specially designed by Texelis Defense for SCATA's needs.
Texelis Defense's production of these various components is natively designed for integration on a partner's industrial site.
Celeris goes far beyond components. It's a true vehicle co-construction approach, which means that all aspects of the MK1 relating to, or having an impact on, mobility have been taken into account and optimized before the launch of the program.
For example, the MK1 benefits from a longer wheelbase than the other vehicles in the Celeris family. It also features its own maintenance and support system, developed for it by Texelis Defense to ensure maximum DTO and true autonomy in maintenance.
Like all vehicles built on this mobility platform, it is part of the Celeris Club, which means it benefits from decades of maintenance and obsolescence management, unlike the civilian bases used by other vehicles. Club Celeris users also have access to all the developments carried out for other members, enabling virtuous exchanges and optimization of the different fleets in service.
The MK1 is the 4th vehicle to use the Celeris mobility platform, after the Serval (France, Belgium as part of the CaMo program), the M1 from INKAS (Canada) and the P2 Tiger from PT SSE (Indonesia).
The SCATA MK1 will make its world debut at Eurosatory 2026 in Paris, one of the world's leading defense events. Orders will be officially opened on this occasion.
A structuring partnership on a European scale
The MK1 represents the first cooperation on this scale between French and Finnish companies, as well as the first industrial development carried out in Europe on this platform since the Serval.
Completed in less than a year, this development illustrates Europe's ability to rapidly design high-performance solutions by drawing on skills already available, where they exist, and by combining the capabilities of different countries.
This project is part of an underlying European industrial dynamic aimed at strengthening the resilience of defense production chains. It is a symbol for the way in which the European defense industry can be built: with speed and efficiency, by combining solutions that have already been developed and proven.
This pragmatic approach makes it possible to leverage high-level developments already carried out by European NATO member states, to enable the extremely rapid development of comprehensive, proven operational capabilities that are highly compatible with other European or NATO fleets, and thus leverage production capacities at a time when Europe is suffering from its own limitations in this area.
This industrial approach explains why SCATA's MK1 took just one year to develop, like other vehicles built on the Celeris offering, whereas the usual waiting time for a non-specific off-the-shelf vehicle is closer to 18 months.
This partnership approach also opens the door to complementary partnerships with other French, Finnish or, more generally, European manufacturers interested in joining the project.
About SCATA
SCATA (Sophisticated Combat Automotive & Technical Assembly) is a Finnish defense company based in Jakobstad, in the Ostrobothnia region of Finland. It develops and manufactures armored vehicles.
SCATA draws on Finnish engineering expertise, as well as industrial welding capabilities recognized throughout Europe, and a production base that can be mobilized at short notice to ramp up production rates as required. These Finnish industrial partners are capable of producing armored cases, electrical systems and harnesses.
Contact:
Viktor Ekman (CEO)
viktor.ekman@scata.fi
+358 45 874 2012
About Texelis Defense
Texelis Defense is the French specialist in mobility solutions for military vehicles, whether wheeled (from 4×4 to 8×8) or tracked platforms.
With over 30 years' experience, Texelis Defense designs, tests, certifies, produces, integrates and maintains mobility components for heavy military vehicles, not only for the French Army, but also for its international customers, including Serbia, Finland, Indonesia and Canada.
At the heart of the Scorpion program, Texelis Defense is responsible for the mobility of the French Army's new multi-purpose vehicle, the Serval, of which more than 2,000 units are planned in over 30 variants. This new-generation mobility platform, certified by the French Army, is now available to international partners wishing to launch local production programs for new armored vehicles in collaboration with Texelis.
Texelis Defense specializes in providing complete, customized, military-grade mobility solutions for 4×4, 6×6 and 8×8 vehicles. These include hardware kits, electronic components, software and support tools, eliminating the need for partners to develop the mobility function themselves. This allows them to concentrate on other aspects of vehicle design, and accelerates the development of new local and sovereign defense programs.
Contact:
Marin Tollet (Marketing)
marin.tollet@texelis.com
+33 6 51 00 04 18
