INEOS AUTOMOTIVE EXPANDS INTO DEFENCE SECTOR WITH LANDMARK EUROPEAN ORDERS
- Italian Army has placed a substantial order for the INEOS Grenadier
- Austrian Government has awarded a contract for enhanced protection versions of the Grenadier
- INEOS Automotive is leading a consortium bidding for a British Ministry of Defence contract for a new Light Mobility Vehicle
- The Grenadier is already being used by police, border patrols, special forces and emergency rescue services around the world
LONDON, 1 October 2026 – The Italian Army and the Austrian Government have each awarded substantial contracts for the supply of INEOS Grenadiers. They represent the first orders from sovereign defence forces – a significant milestone for the brand.
The Grenadier became the vehicle of choice for the Italian Army, making Italy the first NATO country to place a sizable order for its military. ATflow, INEOS Automotive’s regional distributor will commence deliveries from early 2027.
Separately, an Austrian Government tender was won by Valentin Tusch GmbH, a vehicle armouring and conversion specialist, to supply the Austrian Defence and Interior security forces with Grenadiers adapted for enhanced protection. First deliveries and trials will begin by the end of this year.
In both tenders, the Grenadier was deemed the best available platform – versatile body options, multiple wheelbases, fewer parts for straightforward maintenance and strong solid axles capable of carrying massive weight across hostile terrain over prolonged periods.
INEOS Automotive is in advanced procurement discussions with other European and NATO armed forces, including the Team Grenadier consortium, which has been selected to move forward to the trials stage of the British Ministry of Defence's Light Mobility Vehicle programme.
“In a world where geopolitical tensions are rising, military forces are bolstering their capabilities and resilience, they need the best, modern equipment available. As a robust and highly capable vehicle, this is what the Grenadier was built for – to unremittingly serve armed forces in mission-critical roles. Our most recent military agreements signal a huge vote of confidence in Grenadier as a benchmark already, as talks with other nations' defence procurement teams continue.”
Mike Whittington - Chief Commercial Officer, INEOS Automotive
The Grenadier is already being used by police, border patrols, special forces and emergency rescue services around the world. This includes elite counterterrorism and tactical intervention units in Germany, France and Spain. Nearly every country on the eastern border of Europe has chosen the Grenadier for their security and border forces, including Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Serbia and Slovakia.
To find out more about the INEOS Grenadier, please visit www.ineosgrenadier.com.
-Ends-
INEOS Automotive contact details:
Viktoria Kirkova-Fane
Global PR Manager
viktoria.kirkova@ineos.com
+44 (0) 7887451773
Tom Waugh
Senior Global PR Officer
tom.waugh@ineos.com
+44 (0) 7776454747
ABOUT INEOS AUTOMOTIVE
In 2017, INEOS Chairman Jim Ratcliffe, a car enthusiast and experienced adventurer, identified a gap in the market for an uncompromising 4X4 engineered for modern day compliance and reliability. INEOS Automotive Limited was formed and a senior team of automotive professionals assembled to bring the vision to reality with a fresh perspective of 4X4 development and manufacturing.
In 2022 the INEOS Grenadier was launched: a truly global 4X4 built from the ground up that combines rugged British spirit and design with German engineering rigour. The Grenadier provides best-in-class off-road capability, durability, and reliability with the modern comfort and refinement customers expect wherever they are in the world. In 2023 a double-cab pick-up variant of the Grenadier was launched called the Quartermaster.
INEOS Automotive is a subsidiary of INEOS, a leading manufacturer of petrochemicals, specialty chemicals and oil products. It employs 24,500 people across 29 businesses, with a production network spanning 154 sites in 27 countries. From paints to plastics, textiles to technology, medicines to mobile phones, materials manufactured by INEOS enhance almost every aspect of modern life. In 2025, INEOS had sales of $55bn. To find out more about INEOS Automotive, visit www.ineosgrenadier.com.
