The URO VAMTAC AX4, a Spanish MRAP armored vehicle presented in Paris

The Spanish company Urovesa, based in Valga (Pontevedra), has today presented a new variant of its successful VAMTAC.

The special VAMTACs of the EZAPAC of the Spanish Air Force seen up close
Inside UROVESA, the company that makes the VAMTACs of the Spanish Armed Forces

The VAMTAC (High Mobility Tactical Vehicle), based on the American Humvee, is a four-wheeled all-terrain military vehicle that was initially launched in 1998 under the name Rebeco or VAMTAC T3, securing an order for 1,200 units that same year for the Spanish Army. In 2004, the VAMTAC S3 arrived, initially designated as the T5 (the ambulance version of the "Galicia" VII Brigade can be seen below), with 900 units purchased by the Spanish Army.

In 2013, a new and even more successful version of the VAMTAC arrived, the ST5 (below we can see the Eimos mortar carrier version of the Marine Corps), with a redesigned hull and more protection, reaching BN3 armor levels. In May 2013, Spain acquired 772 units for its Armed Forces, with a second order for 663 more in 2020.

The VAMTAC is currently used by civilian and military customers in more than 20 countries. It has come a long way, literally speaking, being used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces against the Russian invaders (demonstrating a great capacity for crew survivability in case of attack) and being chosen in 2024 by the New Zealand Army, in an order for 60 units to replace their Mercedes Unimog and Puch Pinzgauer.

In 2021 the VAMTAC SK-95 arrived, an evolution of the ST5 designed as a light truck, which was acquired by the Spanish Army as an artillery tractor. The VAMTAC has proven to be a very versatile platform, with more than 60 versions for different uses: armament, anti-tank, command, medical evacuation, communications, troop transport, logistics, mortar carrier, special operations (the VMOE that we recently analyzed here and which we can see below), etc.

A week ago, Urovesa announced a new member of this vehicle family: the VAMTAC AX4, of which it only published this photo, noting that it would be presented at the Eurosatory military exhibition in Paris from June 15 to 19. The Galician company stated that the new vehicle has a payload of 4 tons, can transport up to 11 crew members, and has a high level of armor.

"This platform, designed in a modular, scalable way with an open architecture, can be configured for various missions in addition to platoon transport," Urovesa stated in a press release. The company defines the AX4 as "an agile all-terrain vehicle with mechanical systems that provide high mobility and all-wheel drive capabilities, designed to transport both people and cargo in challenging climatic and topographical environments, guaranteeing its employability and deployment capacity in any area of ​​operations."

Urovesa also announced that the AX4 "offers high levels of protection, thanks to a design based on combined armor materials, both ballistic and against mines and IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices), all without neglecting fundamental aspects such as ergonomics and comfort for its occupants, and great stability and mobility, requirements difficult to combine in heavily armored vehicles."

Finally, today Urovesa unveiled the VAMTAC AX4 on its LinkedIn channel, publishing these two photos. The first corresponds to Urovesa's exhibit at the Eurosatory trade fair in Paris, specifically Stand F210 in Hall 6. The AX4 is an MRAP vehicle, meaning it has a hull designed to withstand landmines and improvised explosive devices. Its features include side armor plates and a prominent engine compartment, as well as a Guardian 2.0 remotely armed turret equipped with a 7.62 mm FN MAG machine gun and 12 smoke grenade launchers.

Urovesa has also published this photo of a VAMTAC AX4 at its Valga factory, surrounded by employees of this Galician company. The version of the AX4 in this photo does not include a remote turret and has two roof hatches. Infodefensa has published more photos of this vehicle today, in which we can observe its V-shaped monocoque design (to direct explosions under the vehicle to the sides) and a rear ramp with a ladder, as well as supports for four jerrycans.

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Photos: Urovesa / Elentir.