On Thursday, April 30, 2026, Canadian company INKAS announced the premiere of the new-generation M1 MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected) mine-resistant armored vehicle, developed in cooperation with France’s KNDS Mobility, part of the Franco-German joint venture KNDS.
Photos: INKAS
Combining a proven French mobility architecture with Canadian armored vehicle engineering and systems integration, the M1 is a first-of-its-kind NATO-standard MRAP platform designed to strengthen interoperability among allied forces.
Designed specifically for operation in high-threat environments, the M1 provides comprehensive 360-degree ballistic and blast protection in accordance with NATO STANAG Level 4a and 4b protection standards, while retaining the high mobility required for operations in difficult terrain. The vehicle combines survivability, maneuverability, and mission adaptability, enabling forces to operate with confidence in conflict environments.
Designed as a modular, multirole platform, the M1 can be configured for various mission profiles, including troop transport, command and control, reconnaissance, medical evacuation, and specialized operational support. This adaptability allows defense forces to field a single platform capable of meeting evolving operational requirements across multiple missions.
“The M1 reflects how allied partners can combine their industrial expertise to deliver meaningful operational capability,” said David Khazanski, CEO of INKAS®. “By integrating Canadian armored vehicle engineering with a proven French mobility system, we have developed a platform designed for full NATO compatibility while strengthening defense cooperation between our countries.”
The launch of the M1 also reflects INKAS’s growing role as a systems integrator within the allied defense ecosystem, combining international engineering expertise, NATO-compliant components, and mission-oriented design within a mobile armored platform.
As NATO partners continue to modernize their land forces, the INKAS M1 MRAP offers a new interoperable solution, built on trusted allied cooperation and designed to meet the operational requirements of modern defense forces.
According to the manufacturer, the M1 MRAP features a monocoque hull with a V-shaped bottom and a reinforced ballistic crew capsule, creating a rigid, blast-resistant structure that provides comprehensive protection against kinetic threats, anti-tank mines, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and ambushes.
The unique chassis has been designed for torsional rigidity, optimized weight distribution, and improved energy dissipation, ensuring consistently high off-road performance and vehicle control in extreme terrain conditions.
The vehicle is powered by a 375-hp Cummins diesel engine coupled to an Allison 3200SP automatic transmission with six forward gears and one reverse gear. It is 5,987 mm long, 2,528 mm wide, and 2,834 mm high, while its wheelbase is 3,729 mm. It can carry eight soldiers, with the option to increase capacity to 10 personnel, including crew and dismounts. The tires are fitted with run-flat inserts.
Based on information from the manufacturer