New TADEAS 4x4 Armored Vehicle at Eurosatory 2026
The world premiere of the new TADEAS 4x4 armored vehicle drew a great deal of attention at the CSG Group’s booth during this year’s Eurosatory 2026 trade show in Paris. This new model was developed as a logical extension of the TADEAS family, whose first member – the TADEAS 6x6 – was introduced two years ago. “It’s a vehicle that’s part of the same family. This is the little brother of the big 6x6 version. So it’s not a standalone project, but a logical continuation of our platform,” said Tomáš Mohapl, CEO of Tatra Defence Vehicle (TDV), during the official unveiling.
According to him, the goal from the outset was to create a versatile heavy-duty four-wheel-drive platform. “There are many light 4x4 vehicles on the market. We wanted to offer a heavy-duty four-wheel-drive vehicle with a wide range of modular options and the ability to adapt to specific customer needs,” Mohapl explained. A significant aspect of the project is the fact that the vehicle was developed entirely in the Czech Republic. “What I’m very proud of is that we’re designing and developing this vehicle in the Czech Republic. It’s another example of the Czech defense industry and its growth. And we have international ambitions for it,” emphasized the TDV director.
The TADEAS 4x4 utilizes the latest generation of Tatra chassis solutions and shares a number of components with the third generation of Tatra Force vehicles, which significantly simplifies logistics and maintenance. “The chassis components and electronic platform are the same as those in the new generation of Tatra Force. We are thus offering armies a highly versatile solution,” added Mohapl.
According to Radomír Smolka, Director of Research and Development at Tatra Defence Vehicle, the main advantage of the new TADEAS platform is its versatility. “TADEAS is a platform. It has a gross vehicle weight of up to 25 metric tons and a high payload capacity. Depending on the configuration, the payload can reach five to six metric tons,” said Smolka. However, the vehicle is not intended solely as a conventional armored personnel carrier. “It is suitable as a liaison vehicle, command post, or ambulance, but a pickup variant is also being developed that can carry, for example, air defense equipment or other specialized systems,” explained the TDV director of research and development.
Another distinctive feature of the TADEAS vehicle is its digitalization. “It’s a next-generation digital platform. It enables drive-by-wire control and is ready for remote control or semi-autonomous operation. It really is the latest generation,” added Smolka. According to experts, the ability to quickly integrate new technologies will be one of the decisive factors in the future competitiveness of armored vehicles.
TADEAS armored vehicle
The Czech manufacturer Tatra Defence Vehicle (TDV) designed and produced the prototype TADEAS (Tatra Defence Armoured Solution) 6x6 armoured vehicle in under a year. The vehicle employs Tatra's unique 6x6 chassis, with an auxiliary frame only at the front of the vehicle up to the driver and commander's compartment, and the vehicle’s hull mounted directly to the carrier tube. This design provides more interior space – nearly 10.3 cubic meters – for the squad or special equipment being transported. Thanks to the innovative axle design and high load capacity of 10 tonnes per axle, the vehicle can also carry special tanks for firefighters, for instance, while maintaining high mobility and ground clearance.
A unique feature of the vehicle is its ability to accommodate various engine types, including classic air-cooled Tatra engines as well as newer liquid-cooled six-cylinder Caterpillar or Cummins engines.
The TADEAS will be offered in several protection levels according to STANAG 4569 standards, enabling it to provide maximum ballistic and mine protection for the crew.
The vehicle also has a new interior including a digitised dashboard and electronic equipment derived from the military version of the latest 3rd generation Tatra Force model series. The vehicle was designed by industrial designer Lukáš Taneček, whose job it was to design both the exterior and interior. Test drivers, for example, are very pleased with the very good view from the vehicle thanks to the shape of the new bonnet. Additionally, TDV developed an entirely new hydraulic system to operate the vehicle’s folding rear ramp.
