Belgium Special Forces to receive Polaris and Can-Am all-terrain vehicles in €13.4 million deal.

Belgium’s Council of Ministers approved a €13.4 million procurement on December 12, 2025, to acquire 93 Polaris MRZR D4 buggies and 62 BRP Can-Am Outlander Max Pro HD7 quad bikes for the Special Operations Regiment.

On December 12, 2025, Belgium’s Council of Ministers approved a €13.4 million procurement that covers the acquisition of 93 U.S. Polaris MRZR D4 buggies and 62 Canadian BRP Can-Am Outlander Max Pro HD7 quad bikes for the Special Operations Regiment. The contract includes vehicles, training, documentation, and spare parts, with deliveries scheduled for 2026 and 2027, at which point the Groundhog ATVs will be withdrawn from service after nearly 18 years.
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Within the Belgian Special Operations Regiment, the Polaris MRZR D4 will likely serve for rapid team transport and mission support across difficult terrain, while the Can-Am Outlander Max Pro HD7 will be used for reconnaissance, liaison, and quick access tasks. (Picture sources: Polaris Government & Defense and Can-Am Off-Road)

The first component of the package is the Polaris MRZR D4, selected as the new buggy for the Special Operations Regiment following a competitive process conducted through NSPA. The D4 is part of the broader MRZR family developed by Polaris Defense, which originated in the early 2010s, following an early interest from U.S. military units seeking lightweight vehicles capable of supporting both expeditionary and special operations units. The new buggy is described by the Belgian Army as faster and more agile than the Groundhog, and it will introduce a four-seat configuration instead of the two-seat layout of its predecessor. This change allows a single MRZR D4 to transport a complete small team together with its equipment, reducing the number of vehicles required for a given task and improving cohesion during movement. The D4 can also be equipped with light weapons, supporting limited organic firepower in support of special operations missions.

The MRZR D4 is powered by a turbocharged three-cylinder 1.0-liter diesel engine coupled to an automatic transmission with selectable two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive modes. The engine is designed to operate on multiple fuel types, including standard diesel and military aviation fuels such as JP5 and JP8, allowing seamless integration into existing military logistics chains. The D4 has a reported operational range of approximately 320 kilometers under standard conditions and a ground clearance of about 318 millimeters, enabling movement across rough terrain. Payload capacity is around 680 kilograms, with a similar towing capacity, supporting the transport of personnel, equipment, and light trailers. The ATV is also equipped with a front-mounted winch to support self-recovery and mobility tasks. Water fording capability reaches roughly 610 millimeters at low speed, reflecting design priorities centered on off-road and cross-country performance.

For the Belgian Special Operations Regiment, the MRZR D4 will be used as a lightweight, highly mobile all-terrain vehicle optimized for rapid displacement, rather than protected mobility. Its role is to move personnel and equipment quickly across difficult terrain where heavier vehicles would be constrained or impractical. The four-person configuration aligns with special operations requirements for small, autonomous teams capable of operating independently. The emphasis is placed on agility, speed, and flexibility, allowing operators to reposition rapidly, conduct insertions or extractions, and support dispersed operations. In this sense, the MRZR D4 is intended to complement, rather than replace, armored or heavier logistical vehicles within the broader Belgian Army.

The Belgian acquisition of the MRZR D4 is also embedded in a multinational framework coordinated through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency. Belgium is conducting the project alongside the United Kingdom, France, Sweden, and Slovakia, all of which are registered to acquire the same systems. This approach is intended to generate economies of scale while reinforcing interoperability among partner forces. Operating the same type of buggy facilitates shared training, common maintenance practices, and simplified logistical support during joint deployments or exercises. For Belgian special operations forces, this multinational alignment supports seamless integration with allied units and reflects a broader trend toward standardized light mobility solutions within NATO frameworks.

The second element of the mobility package is the BRP Can-Am Outlander Max Pro HD7, selected as the quad platform for the Special Operations Regiment. Unlike the buggies, quad bikes represent a completely new capability for Belgian Defence. Their introduction is explicitly linked to lessons drawn from recent conflicts, which have underscored the operational value of small, highly maneuverable platforms able to establish observation posts, move personnel rapidly, and operate with a minimal logistical footprint. The 2026 Can‑Am Outlander Max Pro HD7 is part of a lineage of utility all-terrain vehicles developed by BRP Inc’s Can-Am Off-Road division, which itself traces its corporate roots back to Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) and the heritage of ATV production that began for the company in the late 1990s.

Complementing the MRZR D4 by providing an even lighter and more agile means of movement for specific tasks, particularly in complex or restrictive terrain, the Can-Am Outlander Max Pro HD7 is powered by a Rotax ACE single-cylinder engine with a displacement of 650 cc, delivering approximately 50 hp and around 41 lb-ft of torque, with liquid cooling and fuel injection. Power is transmitted through a pDrive continuously variable transmission calibrated for utility use, offering selectable 2WD, 4WD, and lockable 4WD via a Visco-4Lok front differential to improve traction in difficult conditions. The HD7 also includes selectable operating modes described as work, standard, and sport, as well as intelligent engine braking and a speed limiter to support controlled operation across varied terrain profiles.

The Outlander Max Pro HD7 will likely support tasks that require rapid movement, flexibility, and the ability to traverse uneven ground while carrying limited loads or personnel. Its smaller size and high maneuverability make it suitable for reconnaissance, liaison, and support roles alongside the larger four-seat D4 buggies. Within the Belgian Special Operations Regiment, the quad bikes and MRZR D4s together form a complementary mobility package, combining team transport, agility, and adaptability. The phased deliveries planned for 2026 and 2027 will allow progressive integration into units, with full operational capability expected by the end of 2027.

Written by Jérôme Brahy

Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.