International Armored Group (IAG) unveiled a new family of 8×8 and 6×6 armored combat vehicles at the World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh, marking its formal entry into the infantry fighting vehicle segment. The move signals a strategic shift for the UAE-based manufacturer as it seeks to compete in a higher-end, more capability-driven armored vehicle market.
International Armored Group, long recognized for its 4×4 light armored vehicles and protected mobility platforms, used the World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh to signal a significant evolution in its product strategy. Company representatives highlighted a new generation of 8×8 and 6×6 armored combat vehicles, positioning the designs as purpose-built solutions for mechanized infantry roles rather than adaptations of existing armored personnel carriers. The unveiling reflects IAG’s stated ambition to expand beyond niche tactical vehicles and establish itself as a full-spectrum designer and manufacturer of modern combat armored platforms.
The centerpiece of IAG’s stand was its newly developed 8×8 wheeled armored vehicle, presented in an infantry fighting vehicle configuration rather than a basic troop transport. Company engineers told Army Recognition on site that the platform was designed from the outset to support medium-caliber turrets, advanced battlefield management systems, and scalable protection levels suitable for high-intensity combat environments. The vehicle shown at WDS featured a modular hull architecture, allowing rapid adaptation between IFV, command, reconnaissance, or fire support roles, reflecting lessons drawn from recent conflicts where flexibility and rapid reconfiguration have proven decisive.
Equally significant was the unveiling of a 6×6 armored vehicle concept, positioned as a lighter yet combat-capable alternative for armed forces seeking a balance between mobility, protection, and cost. Unlike many 6×6 platforms on the market that remain closer to enhanced APCs, IAG’s design emphasized IFV-level lethality and survivability. The vehicle was displayed with a mock-up of a remote-controlled turret. It integrated active protection system interfaces, suggesting that the company is targeting customers who require credible combat power without the logistical footprint of heavier 8×8 fleets.
Senior IAG representatives emphasized that both platforms are the result of in-house engineering rather than adaptations of existing commercial chassis. Designers highlighted independent suspension systems optimized for cross-country mobility, blast-resistant hull shaping, and growth margins to accommodate future increases in armor or electronic systems. One engineer involved in the program described the vehicles as “clean-sheet designs driven by battlefield realities,” pointing to the growing demand from Middle Eastern, African, and Asian militaries for domestically adaptable solutions rather than off-the-shelf Western designs with limited customization options.
From an industrial perspective, the move into 8×8 and 6×6 IFVs represents a notable evolution for International Armored Group. Over the past decade, the company has built its reputation on light armored vehicles and internal security platforms, many of which have been used operationally by military and security forces worldwide. The WDS 2026 displays suggest that IAG is now leveraging that experience in survivability and modular armor into heavier combat systems, aiming to compete in a segment traditionally dominated by established European, Turkish, and South Korean manufacturers.
Analysts attending the show noted that IAG’s timing is deliberate. Global demand for wheeled IFVs continues to rise as armies seek mobile, networked platforms capable of operating across dispersed battlefields, particularly in regions with limited infrastructure. By presenting both 8×8 and 6×6 solutions, IAG is signaling its intent to address a broad spectrum of operational requirements, from expeditionary forces to homeland defense units.
While the vehicles displayed at WDS 2026 remain in advanced prototype form, IAG confirmed that discussions are already underway with several potential launch customers. The company also indicated that live-fire testing and mobility trials are planned later this year to move rapidly toward production-ready configurations.
For International Armored Group, the World Defense Show 2026 may be remembered as a turning point. By stepping confidently into the IFV arena with purpose-built 8×8 and 6×6 platforms, the company is redefining its identity from a specialist in light armored vehicles to a contender in the modern armored combat vehicle market. This shift could reshape its role in future land warfare programs.
International Armored Group’s new 6×6 armored combat vehicle unveiled at World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh, demonstrating enhanced mobility, scalable protection, and a combat-ready configuration aimed at expanding the company’s presence in the medium-weight IFV and multi-role armored vehicle segment.
© 2026, GDC. © GDC and www.globaldefensecorp.com. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to www.globaldefensecorp.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
