The Polish company Auto-Podlasie presented its AERO vehicle, intended for airborne military forces, at the International Defence and Security Technologies Fair (IDET) 2025, scheduled for May 28–30 this year in Brno, Czech Republic.
Photos: Jakub Link-Lenczowski, MILMAG
A total of 80 AERO vehicles were introduced into service with the Polish 6th Airborne Brigade, along with 120 special-purpose trailers. Deliveries were completed on October 21, 2022.
Now, AERO is being presented in the Czech Republic and offered to the local airborne forces in cooperation with the Czech company Glomex MS, as a vehicle designed by AP Solutions and manufactured by Auto-Podlasie.
AERO was showcased to the 43rd Airborne Regiment (43. výsadkový pluk) stationed in Chrudim, Pardubice Region. It is currently undergoing testing at the Military Technical Institute (Vojenský technický ústav, VTÚ) in Prague, which operates under the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic.
AERO is intended for transporting equipment and supplies at drop zones, accompanying dismounted patrols, and towing artillery weapon systems with a weight exceeding 1,000 kg. The vehicle can also serve as a weapons platform or perform CASEVAC tasks, transporting sick, wounded, or injured personnel from the battlefield. It can be carried by helicopter (suspended under the fuselage) and is also adapted for airdrop using a “V” 108” 12 ft PDS-type platform from C-130 or C295M aircraft.
A new feature in AERO is the modular foldable seating system, which has also been tested by the 6th Airborne Brigade.
AERO 2
The company also offers an evolved version of the vehicle, designated AERO 2, which—like its predecessor—can be airdropped using a “V” 108” 12 ft PDS-type platform, transported by land and sea, and carried by aircraft such as the C-130 Hercules, C295M, or C-17A Globemaster III, as well as onboard or slung under transport helicopters.
It features low weight and compact dimensions, a frame-based construction, and a proven four-wheel drive system. The AERO 2 can be configured in soft roof or hardtop variants, as a transport vehicle, special-purpose version, or fitted with a remotely operated 360-degree weapon station and a weapon mounting system (e.g. for machine guns, grenade launchers, man-portable air-defense systems, or light mortars), according to customer requirements. The crew consists of two people, and the vehicle can carry either two or four additional soldiers (AERO 2 Long version). It can also be armored.
The AERO 2 measures 4450 mm in length (4780 mm for the AERO 2 Long variant), 2140 mm in width (excluding mirrors), 2300 mm in height (with spare wheel), and 1500 mm in height with the roll cage folded down in the soft roof version. The wheelbase is 2890 mm, and the track width is 1575 mm. The curb weight is 2340 kg, payload capacity is 1200 kg, and the gross vehicle weight is 3500 kg. It is powered by a naturally aspirated, inline six-cylinder Toyota R6 1HZ diesel engine with a displacement of 4.2 liters and an output of 130 hp.
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