IDET 2025: Czech SVOS Unveils MARS 4x4 with RBS 70 NG SHORAD Air Defense System.

On May 28, 2025, Czech armored vehicle specialist SVOS unveiled the MARS 4x4 integrated with Saab’s RBS 70 NG air defense missile system at IDET 2025 in Brno. Developed in partnership with Sweden’s Saab Dynamics, the vehicle-platform fusion creates one of the most advanced MSHORAD (Mobile Short-Range Air Defense) systems in Europe. This debut highlights Czechia’s efforts to modernize its ground-based air defense capabilities. With growing UAV and missile threats, this mobile platform provides rapid, deployable protection.
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The MARS 4x4 with RBS 70 NG unveiled at IDET 2025 confirms SVOS’s ability to produce highly mobile, NATO-compatible air defense systems tailored for 21st-century threats (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

The MARS 4x4 with RBS 70 NG represents a fusion of Czech and Swedish defense technologies. The vehicle, built by SVOS Přelouč, is a modular armored platform with high terrain mobility and protection. It features an optional rear axle steering system for a tight 6-meter turning radius, making it ideal for urban and mountainous operations. Mounted on this versatile chassis is the RBS 70 NG missile system from Saab Dynamics, a laser-guided, man-portable air defense system adapted for vehicle use. The MSHORAD configuration includes a Mobile Firing Unit (MFU), the Giraffe 1X 3D radar, and a Mobile Radar Unit (MRU), supported by a fully integrated command and control suite. With a range of 9 km and ceiling of 5,000 meters, the RBS 70 NG intercepts aerial targets at Mach 2 with high resistance to countermeasures.

The development of the MARS 4x4 MSHORAD began in 2019, following the initial collaboration between SVOS and Saab. The first vehicle was tested in Sweden with live-fire trials and full integration checks. After a global debut at Eurosatory 2022, the system received critical acclaim and was further refined. At IDET 2023, the system won the prestigious Zlatý IDET (Golden IDET) award, solidifying its position as a front-line European mobile air defense solution. SVOS brings decades of experience in armored vehicle design, and the MARS 4x4 platform benefits from NATO-standard subsystems verified in combat operations.

Compared to similar systems such as Germany’s Ozelot with Stinger missiles or the U.S. IM-SHORAD on a Stryker chassis, the MARS 4x4 offers a more compact and agile platform with unmatched terrain adaptability and a simplified logistics footprint. Its RBS 70 NG laser guidance is immune to jamming, offering a critical advantage against modern ECM-equipped aerial threats, while its Giraffe 1X radar gives a full 360-degree situational awareness with a 75 km detection range. Unlike many radar-guided systems, the passive targeting feature of the RBS 70 NG also provides stealth in contested environments.

Strategically, the MARS 4x4 MSHORAD system addresses a vital capability gap in European land-based air defense. With conflicts in Eastern Europe emphasizing the vulnerability of ground units to UAVs and cruise missiles, this Czech-Swedish system provides rapid, decentralized protection that can be easily integrated into NATO battlegroups. Its deployment improves force survivability and reinforces forward-operating units without overburdening logistics.

Although no large-scale export contracts have yet been disclosed, the Czech Ministry of Defence considers the MARS 4x4 with RBS 70 NG as a key addition to its short-range air defense network. Initial prototypes were funded through a bilateral development initiative, and interest has reportedly come from several NATO members seeking mobile air defense solutions that are both affordable and operationally mature. The system is expected to be included in future procurement rounds by Czechia’s armed forces, possibly under regional security cooperation funding.

The MARS 4x4 with RBS 70 NG unveiled at IDET 2025 confirms SVOS’s ability to produce highly mobile, NATO-compatible air defense systems tailored for 21st-century threats. By integrating Saab’s advanced missile and radar technologies on a battle-proven Czech platform, this MSHORAD system bridges critical capability gaps in modern air defense doctrine. As drone warfare intensifies, the Czech-Swedish solution sets a new standard in mobile force protection and regional defense resilience.