International Armoured Group

Armoured vehicle manufacturer of APCs, MRAPs, SWAT trucks and armoured SUVs, with EU production in Burgas, Bulgaria

International Armored Group (IAG) is an armoured vehicle manufacturer that designs, engineers and builds armoured personnel carriers (APCs), MRAP vehicles, law enforcement tactical vehicles and armoured commercial vehicles. International Armored Group has more than 30 years of experience and has shipped armoured vehicles to government, military, law enforcement, NGOs, UN and commercial customers in over 100 countries.

IAG manufactures in Bulgaria, the United Arab Emirates, Türkiye and the United States, with capacity for up to 250 armoured vehicles a month. Its newest and largest site, in Burgas, Bulgaria, puts International Armored Group production inside the EU.

IAG Bulgaria: armoured vehicle manufacturing in the EU

International Armored Group opened its Burgas plant in October 2024 on a 150,000m² (over 1.6 million square feet) site in the Burgas industrial zone, on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast. The investment of more than €10m (over BGN20m) holds a Class A investment certificate from the Bulgarian Investment Agency. Serial production started in March 2025 with the Guardian Xtreme MRAP.

The Burgas plant builds armoured vehicles to NATO standards in an EU and NATO member state, close to European defence and security customers. IAG plans to grow the Burgas workforce to more than 300 people.

Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) and MRAP vehicles

International Armored Group builds wheeled armoured personnel carriers (APCs), including the Guardian APC and Jaws APC, and mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles in 4×4 and 6×6 configurations for troop transport, patrol and border security.

• Guardian Xtreme MRAP: carries up to 10 personnel and is rated to STANAG 4569 Level 2 ballistic protection and blast Levels 2a, 2b and 3a.
• Rila Xtreme MRAP: a higher-protection MRAP rated to STANAG 4569 Level 3 ballistic protection and blast Levels 4a and 4b.
• Special purpose vehicles: 8×8 Infantry Fighting vehicles, light tactical vehicles, light reconnaissance and patrol vehicles, an armoured rescue crane vehicle for recovery work, armoured EOD trucks, anti-riot vehicles and armoured ambulances and buses.

Law enforcement tactical vehicles and SWAT trucks

International Armored Group builds armoured police vehicles for police departments, sheriff’s offices and national police forces. The Sentinel Tactical Response Vehicle (TRV) and Sentinel Armored Rescue Vehicle (ARV) are armoured SWAT trucks built for tactical response, rescue under fire and emergency operations. A Sentinel ARV has also joined NASA’s astronaut convoy.

For public order, IAG builds the Rhino crowd control vehicle, armoured anti-riot trucks and armoured water cannon vehicles. It also builds the Guardian prisoner transport vehicle.

US federal buyers can purchase through IAG’s GSA Schedule contract, and US state buyers can purchase through several coop agreements such as the North Carolina Sheriff’s Association and the Virginia Sheriff’s Association contracts. IAG offers grant funding assistance for eligible buyers and vehicle demonstration and driver training programs.

Armoured SUVs, pickups, sedans, vans and cash-in-transit vehicles

IAG armours commercial vehicles for embassies, UN and NGO missions, VIP protection and security companies. The range includes armoured SUVs such as the armoured Toyota Land Cruiser 300 and Chevrolet Suburban, armoured pickup trucks including the Toyota Land Cruiser 79 patrol truck, armoured sedans, the Ford Transit tactical van, armoured buses and cash-in-transit (CIT) vehicles. International Armored Group began in 1993 building cash-in-transit vehicles.

Certified ballistic and blast protection

IAG tests to NATO STANAG 4569 standards for military vehicles and to the VPAM BRV 2009 and ERV 2010 ballistic and blast resistance standards for civilian armoured cars. Its Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Convoy was tested by TNO in the Netherlands to VPAM VR7 for ballistic protection. International Armored Group was the first company in the world to successfully test and certify the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 to VR7.

In-house manufacturing and ballistic glass

IAG keeps key production processes in-house, from CNC laser cutting, bending and 5-axis machining to armour fabrication, left- to right-hand-drive conversions and ambulance fit-outs. It makes its own ballistic glass and also supplies bullet-resistant guard booths, mobile ballistic shields and tactical entry systems.

Service and support

IAG supports its fleets after delivery with worldwide logistics, maintenance, replacement glass programmes and driver training. International Armored Group is registered as a supplier with NATO and the UN.

Frequently asked questions

What does International Armored Group make?

International Armored Group (IAG) makes armoured personnel carriers (APCs), MRAP vehicles, armoured SWAT trucks, crowd control and water cannon vehicles, prisoner transport vehicles, armoured ambulances, armoured buses, armoured SUVs, vans and cash-in-transit vehicles. It also makes ballistic glass, guard booths, mobile ballistic shields and tactical entry systems.

Where does International Armored Group build its armoured vehicles?

International Armored Group builds armoured vehicles in Burgas, Bulgaria (EU); Ras Al Khaimah (UAE); Gemlik, Bursa (Türkiye); and St. Augustine, Florida (US). Burgas, opened in October 2024, is its newest and largest site.

Does International Armored Group manufacture armoured vehicles in Europe?

Yes. International Armored Group builds armoured vehicles inside the EU at its plant in Burgas, Bulgaria, an EU and NATO member state. The plant opened in October 2024 and started serial production in March 2025 with the Guardian Xtreme MRAP.

What is the difference between an APC and an MRAP?

An armoured personnel carrier (APC) is defined by its role: carrying troops or officers under armour, usually protected against small-arms fire and shell fragments. A mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicle is defined by its certified protection as per NATO STANAG standards: a raised, blast-deflecting hull and blast-absorbing seats that protect occupants from mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). An MRAP that carries troops is also an APC.

What do STANAG 4569 and VPAM VR7 mean?

STANAG 4569 is the NATO standard for protecting vehicle occupants from ballistic and blast threats. Blast Level 2 covers a 6 kg TNT mine, Level 3 covers 8kg and Level 4 covers 10kg; “a” means under a wheel and “b” under the hull. VPAM VR7 is a European standard for civilian armoured cars that covers 5.56mm and 7.62mm×51mm NATO rifle rounds for ballistics and blast protection against hand grenades, such as DM51 and HG85; anti-tank/ anti-personnel mines such as DM31 and IEDs for side blast, such as PETN and TNT.

Does International Armored Group supply police and law enforcement agencies?

Yes. International Armored Group supplies armoured SWAT trucks, armoured rescue vehicles and crowd control vehicles to police departments, sheriff’s offices and national police forces.