Exclusive MSPO 2025: Polish Mista unveils Margay 4x4 armored vehicle prototype made for high threat missions.

According to information collected by Army Recognition at MSPO 2025 on September 4, 2025, Polish manufacturer Mista has officially unveiled the Margay 4x4, a new armored personnel carrier designed to compete in the global light tactical vehicle segment. This marks Mista’s entry into the defense sector with an indigenously developed platform aimed at both domestic and export markets, aligning with Poland’s broader strategic push for defense self-sufficiency.
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Mista's new Margay 4x4 armored personnel carrier, unveiled at MSPO 2025, is designed for high-threat patrol and convoy missions. It features STANAG Level 2 protection, a 335 hp diesel engine, 6-speed automatic transmission, independent suspension, and a roof-mounted remote weapon station, making it ideal for modern asymmetric operations and rapid-response units (Picture source: Army Recognition Group).

The Margay 4x4 is a multi-role armored vehicle optimized for troop transport, patrol, internal security, and light combat missions. It features a monocoque welded steel hull offering ballistic and mine protection compliant with NATO STANAG 4569 Level 2, with growth potential for higher protection levels through modular armor kits. The hull’s angular architecture is designed to deflect blast waves and reduce radar and thermal signature, while also improving structural rigidity in mine-resistant operations.

At the heart of the Margay is a WEICHAI diesel engine rated at 250 kW (335 hp) at 2600 rpm, delivering a maximum torque of 1100 Nm (678 lb-ft) between 1400–1700 rpm. This engine is coupled with a 6-speed automatic gearbox and a splitter-type two-speed transfer case, offering selectable high and low ranges (HIGH: 1, LOW: 2). The vehicle supports full-time four-wheel drive and incorporates hydrostatic fan drive cooling, enhancing reliability during long-duration operations in high-temperature environments.

The Margay's drivetrain features planetary reduction gears integrated with independent drive shafts, allowing robust torque transfer even under asymmetric terrain loads. The independent suspension system is equipped with 4 hydraulic shock absorbers per axle, improving ride quality, off-road capability, and crew comfort. For braking, the vehicle uses disc brakes on all four wheels, ensuring optimal stopping power under full combat weight.

It rides on 335/80R20 Kormoran off-road tires and includes a central tire inflation system (CTIS) for dynamic pressure adjustment while on the move. A spare wheel is mounted externally at the rear on a reinforced bracket. The prototype shown at MSPO also features a heavy-duty front-mounted winch, integrated into a tubular protective frame for self-recovery and engineering tasks.

The Margay accommodates a crew of two plus up to six fully equipped troops. The cabin is equipped with bullet-resistant vision blocks, gun ports, and a rear access door with hydraulic assistance. The roof mount is fitted with a remotely operated weapon station (RWS) that can be equipped with a 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine gun, as well as smoke grenade launchers for obscuration and soft-kill capabilities.

Additional onboard systems include a Sanden SD7H15 air conditioning module, a 24V/200A alternator, and integrated electronics supporting communications, navigation, and mission command systems. The vehicle offers modularity for role variants, including command post, surveillance, border patrol, medevac, and anti-riot configurations.

The unveiling of the Margay reflects Poland’s expanding investment in its defense industry, driven by lessons from the ongoing war in Ukraine and the strategic imperative to bolster NATO’s eastern defenses. The Polish Armed Forces are currently undergoing a large-scale modernization program, and platforms like the Margay offer a locally manufactured, cost-effective option to equip territorial defense units, border guards, and internal security forces.

From a market perspective, Mista is positioning the Margay as a lower-cost alternative to Western 4x4 platforms like the Oshkosh JLTV or the Plasan SandCat, targeting countries in Central Europe, the Balkans, Africa, and Asia seeking a balance between performance, protection, and affordability. The company has hinted at plans for serial production pending test results and potential procurement contracts.