Inside Italian defence tech (2026)
Jul 17
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Poggiofiorito, ItalyOrtona, ItalyPoggiofiorito, ItalyOrtona, Italy
Products & Solutions
MLS Shield
A midweight 4x4 armoured tactical vehicle designed for operations in environments threatened by IEDs, mines and ambushes. The MLS Shield carries up to 10 military personnel, offers ballistic protection to FB7 level against armour-piercing rounds, and is powered by a turbodiesel engine with a 500 km range. It has been supplied to military forces including the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
SOV 2016
A light 4x4 tactical vehicle built for special operations where speed and manoeuvrability are priorities over armoured protection. Designed for extreme off-road terrain, it fills roles that heavier armoured platforms cannot, including fast strike and reconnaissance missions.
ATERNUS
A 100% Italian-designed electric minibus platform available in several configurations including a version certified to ATEX standards for use in hazardous and explosive environments. The ATERNUS-EX variant, introduced in 2026, includes a purpose-built ambulance configuration. The vehicle targets civil protection agencies, industrial operators and public transport.
Graelion
A heavy-duty vehicle platform built on more than 30 years of Tekne experience in heavy vehicle markets. The Graelion serves defence and industrial applications requiring high payload capacity and off-road capability.
J4MPR-T
A portable hybrid jammer system built on software-defined radio architecture. It combines a flexible jamming component with a high-speed interception module, providing force protection against radio-controlled threats. Part of Tekne's J4 electronics product family alongside surveillance, intelligence and VIP protection variants.
CBRN Labs
Mobile chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear detection and analysis systems. These lab platforms are designed for field deployment by defence and civil protection units operating in contaminated or high-risk environments.
Videos
TEKNE ATERNUS Electric Vehicle — 100% Italian Video Datasheet
About
Tekne S.p.A. was founded in 1990 in Abruzzo, Italy, drawing on its founders' experience in electronics and industrial vehicles. Headquartered in Poggiofiorito with its main production plant in Ortona, the company designs, produces and outfits industrial, special and military vehicles, and develops electronic and electrical systems for automotive, defence and security applications. With around 200 engineers, designers, technicians and production workers, Tekne covers the full development cycle from R&D and prototyping through production, qualification, testing and after-sales support.
Offices
Poggiofiorito, ItalyOrtona, ItalyCustomers & Partners
Italian ArmyItalian Fire Brigade (Vigili del Fuoco)Ukrainian Armed ForcesThales (framework agreement; acquired Thales Italia Chieti facility in 2016)LeonardoSOGIN
Timeline
2026-03
Launched the ATERNUS-EX Ambulance, extending the ATEX-certified electric minibus family with an emergency medical configuration.
2022
MLS Shield armoured vehicles delivered to the Ukrainian Armed Forces' 79th Air Assault Brigade.
2017
Joined AIAD, the Italian Federation of Aerospace, Defence and Security Companies.
2016
Signed framework agreement with Thales, acquiring the Thales Italia Chieti facility and its defence electronics capabilities.
2009
Relocated all production back to Italy from Tunisia, consolidating manufacturing domestically.
1990
Founded in Abruzzo, Italy, by partners with expertise in electronics and industrial vehicles.
Open Positions (4)
Products & Solutions
MLS Shield
A midweight 4x4 armoured tactical vehicle designed for operations in environments threatened by IEDs, mines and ambushes. The MLS Shield carries up to 10 military personnel, offers ballistic protection to FB7 level against armour-piercing rounds, and is powered by a turbodiesel engine with a 500 km range. It has been supplied to military forces including the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
SOV 2016
A light 4x4 tactical vehicle built for special operations where speed and manoeuvrability are priorities over armoured protection. Designed for extreme off-road terrain, it fills roles that heavier armoured platforms cannot, including fast strike and reconnaissance missions.
ATERNUS
A 100% Italian-designed electric minibus platform available in several configurations including a version certified to ATEX standards for use in hazardous and explosive environments. The ATERNUS-EX variant, introduced in 2026, includes a purpose-built ambulance configuration. The vehicle targets civil protection agencies, industrial operators and public transport.
Graelion
A heavy-duty vehicle platform built on more than 30 years of Tekne experience in heavy vehicle markets. The Graelion serves defence and industrial applications requiring high payload capacity and off-road capability.
J4MPR-T
A portable hybrid jammer system built on software-defined radio architecture. It combines a flexible jamming component with a high-speed interception module, providing force protection against radio-controlled threats. Part of Tekne's J4 electronics product family alongside surveillance, intelligence and VIP protection variants.
CBRN Labs
Mobile chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear detection and analysis systems. These lab platforms are designed for field deployment by defence and civil protection units operating in contaminated or high-risk environments.
Videos
TEKNE ATERNUS Electric Vehicle — 100% Italian Video Datasheet
Open Positions (4)
About
Tekne S.p.A. was founded in 1990 in Abruzzo, Italy, drawing on its founders' experience in electronics and industrial vehicles. Headquartered in Poggiofiorito with its main production plant in Ortona, the company designs, produces and outfits industrial, special and military vehicles, and develops electronic and electrical systems for automotive, defence and security applications. With around 200 engineers, designers, technicians and production workers, Tekne covers the full development cycle from R&D and prototyping through production, qualification, testing and after-sales support.
Offices
Poggiofiorito, ItalyOrtona, ItalyCustomers & Partners
Italian ArmyItalian Fire Brigade (Vigili del Fuoco)Ukrainian Armed ForcesThales (framework agreement; acquired Thales Italia Chieti facility in 2016)LeonardoSOGIN
Timeline
2026-03
Launched the ATERNUS-EX Ambulance, extending the ATEX-certified electric minibus family with an emergency medical configuration.
2022
MLS Shield armoured vehicles delivered to the Ukrainian Armed Forces' 79th Air Assault Brigade.
2017
Joined AIAD, the Italian Federation of Aerospace, Defence and Security Companies.
2016
Signed framework agreement with Thales, acquiring the Thales Italia Chieti facility and its defence electronics capabilities.
2009
Relocated all production back to Italy from Tunisia, consolidating manufacturing domestically.
1990
Founded in Abruzzo, Italy, by partners with expertise in electronics and industrial vehicles.
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