Steyr has joined up with ballistics engineer Mehler Protection to design a light-armoured tractor.

While tractors and defence may seem an unlikely pairing, tractors can fulfil a lot of defence companies needs.

According to the two companies, "modern operations increasingly demand fast, all-terrain vehicles capable of powering multiple roles, from logistics through to specialist engineering tasks such as mine clearance.

"At the same time, defense planners are under pressure to reduce the total cost of mission, fielding capable platforms at scale and speed from proven production lines rather than traditional expensive, low-volume specialised systems."

The companies feel that modern tractors answer this need, and Steyr's parent company CNH is supporting this collaboration, with a view to explore these defence sector opportunities further in the future.

Steyr and Mehler Protection showcased their collaborative effort to develop the concept of an armoured tractor at Eurosatory 2026, one of the world’s largest international trade fairs dedicated to the defense and security sectors.

The concept is built around one of Steyr's Terrus CVT tractors and will have access to Mehler Protection's Multi-Role Armour Composite Components Kinetic Energy (M-RACC KE).

Director of business development at Mehler Protection, Denis Weber described the project as a "full militarisation of a civilian tractor", adding that the concept included "everything that's needed to fulfil military standards".

Protection specifications

M-RACC KE is in line with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's (NATO's) standardisation agreement that defines the protection levels for occupants of logistics and light armoured military vehicles, STANAG 4569.

The agreement establishes baseline standards for vehicle armour, ensuring troops are protected against kinetic energy threats (such as rifle fire and machine guns), artillery fragments, and mine or improvised explosive device (IED) blasts.

Mehler Protection claims that M-RACC KE provides STANAG 4569 level 1-3 protection against kinetic threats, while direct fire from small arms, secondary fragmentation and mines is level 2.

The ballistics engineer describes its system as designed for situations where "reliable protection of personnel and critical assets is essential".

It has also called its cabin design "fully protected" at STANAG 4569 level 2 for ballistic protection, providing a "high degree of protection against direct fire, fragmentation and mine threats".

The company also mentioned that the two doors, roof hatch and pyrotechnically releasable rear window provide multiple emergency escape routes.

According to the promotional video for the tractor concept, the machine supports complete cabin replacement.

This is achieved by the cab not being entirely integrated into the body as such, but instead sitting on top of it, capable of being removed.

The video also points out the bullet-resistant glass and protection against mine threats incorporated into the design.

In addition, the blueprint for the tractor's platform allows it to support a wide range of attachments.

Benefits of model

Steyr is a highly regarded agricultural machinery brand, known mostly for its machines robust build quality and the power that they come with.

One of Steyr's flagship models is a member of the Terrus CVT family - the Steyr 6340.

Boasting a striking 340hp and top speed of 56km/h, the 6340 impresses across the board in terms of performance.

While they are quite a heavy tractor at over 11.5t, they produce a frightening amount of torque (1398nm at 1400rpm).

Steyr's systems are also looked on well for their precision farming despite the simplicity within the cabin.

In addition to that, an ergonomic cab is well established as a priority for Steyr.

Overall, Steyr is considered a premium brand, and the companies designed the concept to keep these key characteristics of Steyr central to it.

Collaboration meaning

EMEA president for CNH, Markus Muller welcomed the opportunity to showcase this concept with Mehler Protection at Eurosatory.

He said: "Our deep experience in manufacturing equipment designed to operate at scale in demanding applications positions Steyr as a strong partner for the defense sector.

We are delighted to exhibit this pioneering Steyr innovation at Eurosatory, as CNH evaluates a potential entry into defense-related activities," Muller concluded.

Mehler Protection managing director Christian Vahldiek emphasised that the Eurosatory exhibition partners bring unique expertise together to the defence and security sectors.

He said: "We are able to offer the blend of innovation, protection and safety that is an absolute must for these industries.

"Our exhibit at Eurosatory enables us to show the combination of a scalable platform, industrial expertise and proven protection/integration capabilities that offer a coherent, modular overall concept to one of the world’s most demanding sectors”.

Vahldiek added that Mehler Protection and Steyr will be "working together as European businesses to develop and implement the required focus on reliable industrial value creation and strong partner networks within the EU".