The SCATA MK1 is a 4×4 armoured personnel carrier (APC) produced through a partnership between Finland’s Sophisticated Combat Automotive & Technical Assembly (SCATA) and the French military mobility specialist Texelis Defence.
In April 2026, Texelis Defence was acquired by the state-owned armaments group KNDS France and subsequently rebranded as KNDS Mobility.
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The SCATA MK1 was first revealed in March 2026 and is scheduled to make its global debut at the Eurosatory defence and security exhibition, due to be held in June 2026 in Paris, with orders expected to open during the event.
Positioned between light tactical vehicles and heavier 6×6 or 8×8 armoured designs, the SCATA MK1 is intended to balance protection, payload, mobility and modularity.
SCATA MK1 design and features
The SCATA MK1 is a multi-role tactical armoured personnel vehicle with an 18,000kg (39,683lbs) gross vehicle weight and a 4,500kg payload.
The vehicle is built around the Celeris mobility platform, a co-development architecture created by Texelis Defence for Nato tactical vehicles.
The SCATA MK1 uses a longer wheelbase compared with other Celeris-based vehicles and introduces a dedicated maintenance and support concept developed by Texelis Defence to maximise operational availability and enable more autonomous upkeep.
The vehicle design is framed around lessons from recent operations, including Ukraine, where damaged routes have increased the need for cross-country mobility. It also reflects demand for higher readiness and maintainability, the widespread use of drones, persistent mine risks and a greater requirement for modular payloads that can be reconfigured quickly as missions change.
Celeris mobility platform details
The Celeris platform is designed for demanding environments and relies on dedicated military components that were developed or selected to match operational requirements, then tested and validated through a multi-year programme.
The platform integrates Texelis Defence T750 axles with independent suspension, supporting a gross vehicle weight rating of 18.5t and prioritising off-road performance.
A trailing-arm rear axle is used to simplify integration within the armoured hull, improve rear internal space and enhance structural protection. The running gear combines Michelin XZL tyres with central tyre inflation for soft ground.
SCATA MK1 is the fourth vehicle to adopt the Celeris platform, after the Serval fielded by France and Belgium through the CaMo (Capacité Motorisée) programme, the INKAS M1 in Canada and Indonesia’s PT SSE P2 Tiger.
The vehicle is also the most significant collaboration of its kind between French and Finnish industry and the first European industrial development based on Celeris since Serval.
Protection
The SCATA MK1’s crew compartment features ballistic protection that meets Nato’s Standardisation Agreement 4569 Level 2, with the roof rated to Level 3a.
Blast resistance is at Levels 2a and 2b, intended to withstand a 6kg mine under a wheel or beneath the hull.
SCATA MK1 engine
The SCATA MK1 is powered by nine litre Euro 3 Cummins engine delivering 375hp, paired with an Allison 3200SP six-speed automatic transmission and a PowerLine transfer case.
Texelis Defence has also provided an electrical and electronic architecture tailored to SCATA’s requirements.
Mobility and performance
The vehicle is rated for a top road speed of 90km/h and a range of around 700km in its baseline form, with an extended-range option available on request for up to 1,000km.
Off-road performance is quoted at 60% gradients and 40% side slopes, alongside a fording depth of 1.3m. This performance is enabled by an independent, military-grade suspension system and 505mm of ground clearance.
Mobility aids include a Teleflow central tyre inflation system and Hutchinson run-flat inserts.
Planned variants
Planned versions for the SCATA MK1 include an APC troop carrier, a special forces support model, a reconnaissance variant, a counter-drone configuration for low-altitude air defence and counter-uncrewed aerial systems, and a short-range surface-to-air defence option. These configurations align with the Celeris platform’s emphasis on mobility and payload capacity.
