IAV 2026 – IDV increases its presence in the United Kingdom
With its yearly presence at the International Armoured Vehicles conference, IDV marked its interest not only in the wider defence market related to wheeled vehicles, but also more specifically at the UK one. As the British military is about to launch a series of programmes related to wheeled vehicles, IDV will strengthen its presence in UK.
At IAV 2026, the International Armoured Vehicles conference organised yearly by IQPC, which since 2025 takes place at the Farnborough International Exhibition Centre, IDV exhibited an ambulance based on its MUV (Military Utility Vehicle) 5.5-7 tonne GVW platform, eyeing at the UK Light Mobility Vehicle, LMV in short, part of the wider Land Mobility Programme (LMP).
On the other hand, the British Army is looking for a new Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET) in view of the entrance in service of the Challenger 3. Robotics is the other area of interest, IDV having acquired UK-based Mira UGV (the Uncrewed Ground Vehicle division of HORIBA MIRA).
In partnership with the Italian Army IDV developed a tank transporter solution based on its 8×8 tractor, the contract having already been signed with the Italian MoD. In mid-2024 the UK signed an agreement with KBR Ltd for an interim solution based on an Oshkosh 1070F 8×8 tractor truck and a King Trailer GTS 100 seven-axle semi-trailer, the system being able to cope with 70-tonne loads. EDR On-Line understands that the requirement for the final solution is 86-tonne, therefore the British Army is looking for a new solution capable to cope with this load. IDV is proposing its 8×8 tractor, which will be coupled to a trailer which has not yet been selected, according to information gathered at IAV. IDV is actively promoting its trucks with the aim of standardising as much as possible European armies’ fleet, as its 8×8 tactical trucks were recently entered service as the mobility platform of the Italian Army SAMP/T NG and Grifo/CAMM ER air defence systems, which were recently delivered to the Italian Army Air Defence Command. The same platform is in the process of being acquired by other nations, in addition to having been acquired in more than 2,000 units by the Italian Army. UK MoD should announce a decision on the HET programme around November 2026.
Switching to lighter vehicles, IDV looks with great interest at the LMV programme, which aims at replacing Land Rovers and Pinzgauers in service with the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The ambulance exhibited at IAV was the one based on the MUV long wheelbase chassis, adopted by Sweden, that country having signed a framework agreement in mid-2023 for up to 3,000 light vehicles, the first order including 400 vehicles. The ambulance is one of the 12 configurations on order. A short wheelbase version was exhibited in September 2025 at DSEI London, based on that ordered by the Spanish Army.
EDR On-Line understood that the LMV/LMP programme will include nine different variants; General Purpose Vehicle; Command and Control; Utility Vehicle; Equipment Support Vehicle; Battlefield Ambulance; Troop Carrier Vehicle; Mission System Vehicle. The two last versions are quite specific; the Tactical Mobility Vehicle will be an open-top configuration. As for the Enhanced Protected Vehicle, this will replace protected Land Rover Defender 110, also known as “Snatch Land Rovers”, which were produced to answer the requirement for protected patrol vehicles to deploy to Northern Ireland in the early 1990s.
As for unmanned ground vehicles, IDV is investing in R&D to increase reliability and autonomy, the current main product being the Viking, a 2-tonne parallel-hybrid 6×6 platform with a 250 km hybrid range and a 20 km electric range, and a 750 kg payload; it has been fitted with several systems such as ISTAR suites, remote weapon station or CBRN sensors.
In order to enhance its competitiveness and increase its chances of success in upcoming bids, IDV intends to consolidate its presence in the United Kingdom through its company IDV Defence Vehicles UK. It is worth remembering that in summer 2025 Iveco Group announced to sell the commercial trucks business to Tata (India), and the military business unit (IDV and Astra) to Leonardo. However, for the time being things remained unchanged, the Bolzano-based company maintaining its autonomy.
Photos courtesy IDV and P. Valpolini
