Lithuania has achieved a major milestone in its defense industry by presenting the Taurus 4-1, its first domestically produced armored vehicle. Developed and built at Aurida Engineering’s facility in Panevėžys, the prototype was completed in just five months, made its international debut at MSPO 2025 in Poland, and was later shown to the Lithuanian public. The plant is designed to produce up to 120 vehicles per year, with maintenance, spare parts, and technical support available locally.
The Taurus 4-1 is a 4×4 Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected (MRAP) vehicle built on a modular architecture that allows multiple mission configurations. It has a gross weight of 13,500 kg, carries 2,500 kg of payload, and accommodates a 2+1+7 crew layout. Protection meets STANAG 4569 Level 3 standards, providing resilience against 7.62×51 mm armor-piercing rounds, 8 kg TNT underbelly blasts, and 50 kg TNT side explosions. The vehicle is powered by a 6.7-liter diesel engine rated at 285–360 hp, with some sources citing a 480 hp Cummins option, paired with a ZF transmission and military-grade axles.
Aurida reports that up to 80% of the vehicle’s production — including machining, armored hull fabrication, and final assembly — takes place in Lithuania, ensuring a high domestic contribution. The vehicle uses independent suspension with hydropneumatic shock absorbers, and the drivetrain is optimized for harsh environments.
The Taurus family will expand beyond the 4-1, with the 4-2 infantry support variant offering Level 4A/4B protection against 10 kg TNT, the 4-3 tactical support vehicle, and heavier platforms such as Taurus 6 and Taurus 8 with payloads up to 6,000 kg and STANAG Level 4 protection.
Named after the aurochs — a symbol of strength in Lithuanian culture — the Taurus project is expected to strengthen national defense capabilities, create local jobs, and position Lithuania for exports to NATO and European partners. President Gitanas Nausėda has expressed interest in the project, though no domestic orders have been confirmed yet. Local institutions reportedly prefer to observe trials before committing, while international negotiations are ongoing.
