Calidus MATV displayed by UAE's Military Police

Major General Sheikh Ahmed bin Taihan al-Nahyan (centre) stands with Military Police officers in front of a Calidus MATV (left) and a Nimr Ajban. (UAE Ministry of Defence)

A Calidus MATV 4x4 armoured vehicle was publicly seen with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Armed Forces for the first time when one was included in a photograph that the Ministry of Defence released on 4 September.

The photograph illustrated a visit by Major General Sheikh Ahmed bin Taihan al-Nahyan, the deputy chief of staff of the UAE Armed Forces, to the Military Police Command. It also showed a Nimr Ajban, another type of locally made armoured 4x4 that is used extensively by the UAE Armed Forces.

Calidus unveiled the MATV during the IDEX show held in Abu Dhabi in February 2025. During the show, Tawazun Council, which manages procurement for the UAE's military and security forces, announced that Calidus had been awarded a contract worth AED1.809 billion (USD493 million) for the MATV.

With a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 14,000 kg with a 3,900 kg payload, the MATV is significantly larger than the company's 9,500 kg MCAV-20, which has been exported to several African militaries but has not been seen in Emirati service.

For more, please see: IDEX 2025: Calidus launches lighter 8×8 armoured vehicle