On Wednesday, June 18, 2025, the press service of the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa, published photographs from the international exercise Baltic Operations 2025 (BALTOPS-2025) on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) platform. The images revealed for the first time that the Polish special forces unit GROM has already received and put into operational service patrol vehicles based on the GRF (Ground Force) 5.12 platform, delivered by the Dutch company Defenture.
Photos: Lance Cpl. Van Hoang, US Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa via DVIDS
As stated in the description of three photographs featuring GROM Military Unit during Baltops-2025, the Polish commandos were conducting exercises focused on securing an M142 HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) multi-launch rocket system from Fox Battery, 2nd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment of the 4th Marine Division. The images show a single Defenture GRF 5.12 vehicle in desert camouflage, equipped with a mounted 40mm Heckler & Koch GMG (Granatmaschinengewehr) automatic grenade launcher. Another photo also shows an AERO Airmobile Military Vehicle belonging to the 6th Airborne Brigade, of which 80 units (along with 120 special trailers) have been delivered.
The photographs were taken at the Zegrze Pomorskie airfield, where U.S. forces had deployed the M142 HIMARS using a C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft as part of the HIRAIN (HIMARS Rapid Infiltration) operation. This operation allows for the air transport of HIMARS launchers to enable long-range strikes. At the time, images released by the 6th Brigade did not reveal the presence of one of GROM’s new assets, although the unit’s participation was mentioned.
Baltops-2025 is the most important naval exercise in the Baltic Sea region, providing allied forces with a unique opportunity to train and enhance joint response capabilities that are crucial for maintaining freedom of navigation and regional maritime security.
Defenture GRF 5.12, AERO, and M142 HIMARS
On November 6, 2024, the Dutch company Defenture B.V. announced the signing of a multi-year contract with the GROM Military Unit for the delivery of a batch of patrol vehicles based on the GRF (Ground Force) 5.12 platform. The offer won a tender for the delivery of two special-purpose vehicles, with an option for two additional units.
The press release did not provide any specific details, but it is known that on April 2, 2024, GROM launched a procurement process for special-purpose vehicles, which concluded on July 23, 2024, with Defenture B.V. selected as the winner. The winning offer scored 100 points (including 60 points for price, 10 points for engine power, 10 points for maximum torque, and 20 points for maneuverability—turning diameter).
GROM Military Unit was seeking a 5-person vehicle with a maximum gross weight not exceeding 5 tons, featuring high off-road capability and homologation certification for operation on Polish public roads. The vehicle was required to have an internal combustion engine with a displacement of no less than 3000 cm³ and an output of at least 215 horsepower, with a maximum torque of no less than 500 Nm, paired with an automatic transmission. The turning diameter had to be no greater than 9 meters.
The vehicle’s design had to allow for the installation of ballistic protection kits providing at least Level 1 protection in accordance with STANAG 4569. The engine system had to be capable of operating under emergency conditions (e.g., after being hit or suffering mechanical damage leading to fluid leaks) until complete shutdown due to wear. The vehicle also had to be capable of starting and continuing to operate in the absence of necessary operating fluids or in the case of system leaks, up to the point of total immobilization.
The GRF 5.12 patrol vehicle, unveiled in 2020, has been ordered by Austrian special forces Jagdkommando, the German KSK (Kommando Spezialkräfte), the Dutch KCT (Korps Commandotroepen), and the Swiss SKS (Schweizer Kommando Spezialkräfte). It features all-wheel drive, providing high mobility and excellent off-road capability, making it an optimal solution for demanding end users. The platform is based on the DMDP (Defenture Modular Design Principle) architecture, which allows for flexible configuration of the vehicle with a gross vehicle weight ranging from 3 to 10 tons.
GRF 5.12 platform specifications:
- Length: 5100 mm
- Width: 1800 mm
- Height: 2205 mm
- Height (for air transport, with folded roof-mounted equipment): 1870 mm
- Approach angle (unloaded): 46,5°
- Departure angle (unloaded): 43,5°
- Ground clearance (unloaded): 340 mm
- Payload capacity: 1440 kg
- Maximum gross vehicle weight: 4600 kg
- Engine type: Multi-fuel, 6-cylinder diesel engine, 3.2 L displacement
- Maximum power: 160 kW (217 hp)
- Maximum torque: 500 Nm
- Fuel types: F34, F35, F44, F54, F63
- Fuel tank capacity: 115 L
- Operational range: 800 km
- Drive: 4×4
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Transfer case: High/Low gear + lock
- Front/Rear differentials: Open with locking function
- Tires: 275/70 R18
- Rims: 18 inches
