The German protection specialist Mehler Protection unveiled at Eurosatory 2026, together with Steyr (a CNH Industrial brand), the concept of the armored tractor M-RACC KE. It is designed as a modular STANAG-4569 protection on a multifunctional platform. At the heart of the collaboration is an armored Steyr Terrus CVT, designed as a multifunctional work and transport platform for demanding operational scenarios.
The modular protection concept for tractors, developed under STANAG 4569, features an armored cabin with all-around and roof protection in accordance with STANAG/AEP 55 Level 2, while an additional armor strengthens the most critical areas of the vehicle. This provides not only protection against shrapnel but also mine protection up to STANAG Level 2. The concept aims to set new standards for crew safety, especially in exposed operating environments, and is intended to clearly exceed the requirements set out in DGUV 201 027 (BGI 833).
Steyr fährt, Mehler schützt, Lindnerhof verstaut
At the core is the Steyr Terrus CVT platform. The Terrus range offers up to 340 hp, providing high towing capability and a maximum lifting capacity of over eleven tons at the rear and just under six tons at the front. The compact design and optimized all-around visibility support operations in both the front and rear areas — a decisive advantage when operating in demanding environments such as military training grounds, airfields, or critical infrastructure facilities.
Mehler Protection implements its protection and integration concept M-RACC KE on this tractor through a construction that adheres to military standards. M-RACC KE is a protection concept for tractors developed according to STANAG 4569 against kinetic threats (Protection Levels 1–3), direct fire with small arms, secondary fragmentation, and mines (Protection Level 2 against anti-armor, anti-personnel, explosive, and EFP mines). Lindnerhof Taktik – also part of the Mehler Systems Group – has developed the stowage concept for personal equipment inside the cabin.
Solution for engineer, mine-clearing and support tasks
The combination of the Terrus-CVT platform and the M-RACC KE protection concept creates a robust, adaptable solution for engineer, mine-clearing, and support tasks as well as for transport and logistics missions in high-risk areas. The platform can be equipped with a wide range of attachments, including dozer blades and clearing shields, excavator and crane arms, trenching machines, and front loaders. M-RACC KE is intended to be particularly suitable for ordnance disposal (EOD) and deployments in contaminated, risky, or safety-critical environments.
“Our goal is to provide crews with the best possible protection against ballistic threats, shrapnel, and mines, without compromising the platform’s operational flexibility,” said Christian Vahldieck, Managing Director of Mehler Protection Platform Armour. He underlines Mehler Protection’s role in this project: “Our contribution to M-RACC KE is consistently geared toward crew safety. We have brought our experience in armor plating of military platforms into a concept that offers comprehensive protection for the cabin structure, underbody, and key components.”
Markus Müller, President EMEA at CNH, welcomes the opportunity to present the solution together with Mehler Protection at Eurosatory: “Our extensive experience in manufacturing equipment for demanding large-scale operations makes Steyr a strong partner for the defense sector. By combining Steyr’s engineering prowess with Mehler Protection’s expertise, we are well positioned to meet the extremely high requirements of this industry. We are very pleased to present this groundbreaking Steyr innovation at Eurosatory, while CNH is evaluating a possible entry into defense-relevant business areas.”
