Canadian AMAV FT5 targets amphibious military mobility for Arctic operations across the High North.

Zeal Motor presented the AMAV FT5, an articulated amphibious Arctic vehicle able to carry 16 personnel or a 1,814 kg payload with an optional range of up to 1,000 km. Its low-ground-pressure mobility and ability to cross snow, soft terrain, and water address a core logistics challenge for forces operating in remote northern environments.

Displayed at MSPO 2026 in Kielce, Poland, the FT5 combines a 228 hp Hatz diesel engine, hydrostatic drive, 650 mm ground clearance and a fully loaded ground pressure of about 13 kPa, with speeds of 50 km/h on land and 5 km/h in water. The platform can support troop transport, logistics, medical evacuation and reconnaissance missions, reducing dependence on prepared roads and bridging infrastructure during Arctic and winter operations.

For more developments from Poland, see our MSPO 2026 coverage.

The Canadian AMAV FT5 Arctic Mobility Amphibious Vehicle was displayed at MSPO 2026 in Kielce, Poland. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The FT5 is an articulated eight-wheel vehicle measuring 8.255 meters in length and 2.54 meters in width, with 650 mm of ground clearance. Fully loaded ground pressure is stated at 1.9 psi, approximately 13 kPa, using large low-pressure tires designed to reduce sinkage on snow, peat, and other soft surfaces. The vehicle carries up to 1,814 kg of payload and accommodates 16 personnel, with four seats in the front section and 12 in the rear module. Maximum speed is 50 km/h on land and 5 km/h in water, while the turning radius is 7.3 meters.

Power is provided by a 5.2-liter Hatz inline four-cylinder diesel engine producing 228 hp, or 170 kW, and compatible with JP-8 fuel. A hydrostatic transmission uses one hydraulic motor per wheel, while articulated hydraulic steering is operated by a joystick. With optional fuel capacity, the stated operating range extends from approximately 400 to 1,000 km. The AMAV family is designed to operate between -46°C and +30°C and to cross wetlands, unstable ground, and water obstacles without prior preparation.

In Arctic operations, the main operational value lies in maintaining movement across terrain where conventional road mobility becomes unreliable. An FT5 can transport a section-sized group, ammunition, supplies or communications equipment from an accessible route to an isolated position, then continue over deep snow, tundra or flooded terrain without transferring the load to another platform. The vehicle can also be configured for medical evacuation, reconnaissance or logistics missions, while standardized interfaces support the integration of mission-specific equipment. For dispersed detachments, this reduces dependence on prepared tracks, bridges and heavy recovery assets.

The Polish context gives the presentation relevance beyond Arctic operations alone. Poland is not an Arctic state, but it is a central country on NATO’s eastern flank and supports allied movements toward the Baltic region, Finland and the wider Nordic area. Since February 2026, NATO has conducted Arctic Sentry and has also established an advanced multinational land presence in Finland. In this setting, a vehicle able to transport personnel and cargo across snow, mud, wetlands and water could be relevant to logistics, engineering units and forces participating in winter operations and northern exercises.

Compared with specialized tracked carriers, the FT5 follows a different design approach. BAE Systems’ BvS10 Beowulf is amphibious, carries up to 14 personnel and about 8 tonnes of payload, and reaches 65 km/h, while ST Engineering’s Bronco also reaches 65 km/h, carries a stated payload of 6.3 tonnes and is designed for temperatures down to -45°C. The FT5 carries less cargo but accommodates more personnel than the Beowulf and has a stated ground pressure of about 13 kPa compared with 25 kPa for the BvS10. Its distinguishing features are the use of low-pressure tires, hydrostatic drive, and amphibious mobility, combined with an optional range of up to 1,000 km.

This vehicle category is becoming more relevant as NATO adjusts its posture in the High North. Seven of the eight Arctic states are now members of the Alliance, while Russia maintains extensive military infrastructure across its northern territories and China continues to show interest in Arctic shipping routes and resources. In this environment, the challenge is not limited to deploying combat forces. Personnel, ammunition, sensors, command posts, and dispersed detachments must also be supplied, recovered, and sustained in areas where road networks are sparse, and weather conditions can interrupt conventional logistics. The AMAV FT5 fits into that support layer, where mobility across snow, soft ground and water can contribute to maintaining military activity over extended periods in the Arctic.

Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Erwan Halna du Fretay holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience studying conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests lie in Security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.