The two Israeli companies Plasan and ASFIR 4X4 unveiled the new Stormer on October 7 at the AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition 2026. It is a highly modular, lightweight tactical vehicle for special forces. It was designed to meet the evolving requirements of special forces, reconnaissance units, quick-response teams, and other missions where mobility, payload capacity, rapid deployability, and operational flexibility are decisive.
Stormer, as a lightweight tactical vehicle for special operations (SOV), offers space for four to twelve operators, and allows rapid changes with mission-specific adaptable capabilities. The standard configuration includes nine seats, with one being the elevated gunner seat. The prototype now shown at AUSA is the international variant of the Stormer. In March, the prototype was already completed for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Both differ only slightly, with only minor interior adjustments, radio connections, etc. being modified.
The Stormer is designed to transport up to twelve people and a payload of more than 1,000 kilograms (2,200 lbs). It combines the proven civilian vehicle platform, a Jeep Gladiator, with a reinforced chassis and drivetrain, high off-road capability, and a highly adaptable mission architecture. The vehicle, designed for airlift and rapid deployments, enables forces to move personnel and equipment even in difficult terrain.
Platform Based on the Jeep Gladiator
The heart of the Stormer is a robust, Jeep Gladiator-based COTS platform (Commercial Off-The-Shelf), optimized by Plasan’s expertise in vehicle construction. The vehicle is powered by a 280-horsepower 3.6 L Pentastar V6 gasoline engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission; this combination provides the required power and dynamic performance for demanding operating environments. The overall length is 5,550 millimeters and the height is 2,600 millimeters. Plasan also offers a Retrofit Armor Protection Kit as an option for vehicle protection.
The Stormer is designed to be quickly adaptable to changing mission requirements. Its configurable rear platform is suitable for troop transport, logistics tasks, medical evacuations (MEDEVAC), mounting of weapon systems, as well as for special equipment—including radar, counter-UAS (C-UAS) systems, communications equipment, and an electric winch.
A triple-adjustable rear tailgate enables rapid boarding and disembarking of troops, secure transport of mission equipment, and the installation of a litter carrier for casualty evacuation. In addition, the vehicle features a 24-volt on-board electrical system, a stealth light function, a communications console, and various antenna mounting points, facilitating the integration of customer-specific mission systems. The extensive use of commercially available components aims to simplify maintenance, logistics, and long-term upkeep.
Plasan Expects Orders from Israel
About 85 percent of the vehicle still corresponds to the civilian Jeep platform. This makes the vehicle extremely cost-effective, and spare parts are as readily available almost anywhere in the world. After the modifications, the Stormer sits in the 3.8-ton class. The design was conceived from the outset for very high modularity, allowing the vehicle to be quickly and easily adapted. Nevertheless, the Jeep’s high off-road capabilities remain intact.
The vehicle uses Rubicon bucket seats and has a fixed ASFIR 4×4 AS10000 winch installed at the front. But a variant with an interchangeable winch (front/rear) is feasible as well. ASFIR 4×4, as Plasan’s partner, handles the entire range of accessories. At the trade show, the vehicle was shown armed with a Dillon 134D Gatling gun as its armament. On the roof, other light weapons and weapon systems can also be integrated.
According to Plasan, the vehicle can currently be produced in Israel or the USA. In the future, a diesel-powered variant is planned as well. It is still two prototypes, one for the IDF and one for the international market. Plasan expects orders in Israel in the foreseeable future. All budgets are currently frozen. After the Israeli Knesset elections in a few weeks, the situation should change quickly.
