New 4x4 Armored Personnel Carrier Based on ARQUUS MAV’RX with John Cockerill Weapon Station at WDS 2026.

Belgium's John Cockerill Defense has revealed the MAV’RX 4x4 armored vehicle at World Defense Show 2026 in Saudi Arabia, fitted with its CLWS unmanned weapon station. The platform signals a shift toward compact armored vehicles designed from inception to deliver both troop transport and direct fire support in demanding operational theaters.

John Cockerill Defense used the World Defense Show 2026 in Saudi Arabia to debut the MAV’RX, a new 4x4 armored vehicle concept developed in close cooperation with French manufacturer ARQUUS, recently acquired by the Belgian group. Presented as a combat-capable armored personnel carrier rather than a lightly protected utility vehicle, the MAV’RX is equipped with the company’s Compact Light Weapon System, an unmanned turret that can mount either a 20 mm or 30 mm automatic cannon, according to company officials at the exhibition.
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ARQUUS MAV’RX 4x4 armored vehicle displayed at WDS 2026 in Saudi Arabia, fitted with the John Cockerill Defense CLWS unmanned weapon station armed with a medium-caliber automatic cannon. (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

During the exhibition, the Belgian defense group presented for the first time to the public and to Middle Eastern armed forces a new APC concept specifically adapted to regional requirements. The MAV’RX 4x4 armored vehicle was shown in a configuration optimized for desert operations, integrating the John Cockerill Defense CLWS unmanned weapon station to provide direct fire support while preserving full troop transport capability. Recent desert trials in the Middle East validated this design philosophy, with the MAV’RX demonstrating exceptional mobility, thermal endurance, and stability, surpassing several competing vehicles in the same category under comparable climatic and terrain conditions.

The MAV’RX has been developed as a multi-role armored platform combining protection, internal volume, and mobility within a 19-ton gross vehicle weight. Measuring 6.98 meters in length, 2.55 meters in width, and 2.73 meters in height, the vehicle can transport up to ten personnel, responding to the operational needs of mechanized infantry units deployed over wide and sparsely populated areas. Its modular architecture allows the platform to be configured for missions ranging from armored troop transport and convoy escort to internal security operations and close fire support.

Automotive performance is a central strength of the MAV’RX concept. The vehicle is powered by an 8-liter, six-cylinder diesel engine delivering 400 horsepower, coupled with an automatic transmission and a 4x4 driveline. Independent wheel suspension and 14.00 R20 tires ensure high mobility across sand, gravel, and degraded terrain. Technical data released at WDS 2026 indicate the MAV’RX can climb gradients of up to 60 percent, operate on 30 percent side slopes, overcome 0.5-meter vertical obstacles, cross one-meter trenches, and ford water obstacles up to 1.2 meters. These capabilities were confirmed during desert testing, where the vehicle maintained consistent performance despite prolonged exposure to extreme heat.

Survivability is addressed through ballistic and mine protection compliant with STANAG 4569 standards, providing protection against small-arms fire and explosive threats. Standard equipment includes tropicalized air conditioning and heating, a central tire inflation system with run-flat capability, electrically assisted door opening, and a rear-view camera. Optional systems include CBRN protection, laser warning receivers, gunshot detection sensors, and the Battlenet digital architecture developed by ARQUUS, which enables the integration of radios, GPS, intercom, and battlefield management systems for network-enabled operations.

A defining element of the MAV’RX configuration presented in Saudi Arabia is the integration of the John Cockerill Defense CLWS (Compact Light Weapon Systemunmanned weapon station. Designed as a lightweight, remotely operated turret, the CLWS delivers medium-caliber firepower while minimizing impact on vehicle weight and internal volume. Armed with a 20 mm or 30 mm automatic cannon, the system enables engagement of light armored vehicles, fortified positions, and emerging threats such as drones. All weapon functions are controlled from inside the protected hull, significantly enhancing crew survivability. Advanced day and thermal sensors, laser rangefinding, and digital fire control systems ensure accurate engagement on the move and in degraded visibility conditions, including dust and low-light environments.

Based on his experience analyzing modern armored vehicle architectures, Alain Servaes, Chief Editor of Army Recognition, highlighted that the MAV’RX distinguishes itself through the early and coherent integration of its weapon system into the vehicle design. From a technical standpoint, he noted that incorporating the CLWS at the concept stage optimizes center of gravity, power distribution, and electronic architecture, while avoiding the performance penalties typically associated with retrofitted turrets. Servaes also emphasized that the balance achieved between protection level, troop capacity, and medium-caliber firepower makes the MAV’RX particularly relevant for Middle Eastern armed forces operating across vast desert theaters and facing both conventional and asymmetric threats.

The MAV’RX concept further benefits from a wide range of configuration options, including left- or right-hand drive, a hydraulic rear ramp, winch, fire suppression system, and mission-specific kits for hot or cold climates. This flexibility reflects feedback from potential users and reinforces the vehicle’s adaptability for export markets beyond the Middle East.

By unveiling the MAV’RX with its CLWS unmanned turret at WDS 2026, John Cockerill Defense demonstrated that the recent acquisition of ARQUUS is already generating integrated, operationally relevant land combat solutions. Supported by strong desert-test results and a system-level design philosophy, the MAV’RX positions itself as a credible contender in the competitive 4x4 armored personnel carrier segment, as regional armed forces accelerate the modernization of their armored fleets.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.