What HIGHLAND SYSTEMS LTD does

Highland Systems Ltd is a privately held defense technology company that designs and manufactures armored vehicles, submarines, and marine vessels for military, government, and security organizations. The company was founded by a team of Ukrainian developers and operates between Suffolk, UK and the UAE, with manufacturing capacity based in Dubai. Its product portfolio includes the STORM Armoured Hybrid Amphibious MPV (a multi-role armored vehicle with hybrid electric/diesel propulsion, amphibious capability, and STANAG 4569 Level 3 armor), the Phantom MPV (B6-rated armored vehicle), the Buggy Hunter MK-200 tactical vehicle, and the KRONOS Armoured Submarine (a hybrid submarine with manta ray-inspired hydrodynamic design, 10-passenger capacity, and Leonardo torpedo armament). The company also offers trimaran vessels and tank re-equipment services.

The company's underlying technology centers on hybrid electric/diesel propulsion integrated with armored hull design, advanced ballistic, IED, and mine blast protection systems, and remote control capability for autonomous or unmanned operations. Highland Systems holds numerous international patents and IP rights covering propulsion, hull design, and hydrodynamic architecture. Engineering is conducted by a team drawn from defense industry backgrounds spanning armored vehicles, submarines, and helicopters.

Highland Systems operates a direct enterprise sales model with no distributors or resellers, engaging military procurement bodies through engineering-led project management and defense industry exhibitions such as NAVDEX 2023. Revenue is generated through hardware sales of completed vehicles and submarines, supplemented by R&D and project management services. The Kronos submarine is reportedly priced at approximately £1.3 million per unit. Pricing for other products is not publicly disclosed. The company is founder-owned with no disclosed institutional investment, no public listing, and no disclosed revenue or headcount figures.

Name

HIGHLAND SYSTEMS LTD

Legal name

Highland Systems Ltd

Website

https://highlandsystems.me

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Highland Systems Ltd is a UK/UAE-based defense technology company designing and manufacturing armored vehicles, the Kronos armored submarine, and marine vessels for military, government, and security organizations through direct enterprise sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defense Vehicle Manufacturing

NAICS

Military Armored Vehicle, Tank, and Tank Component Manufacturing (336992)

SIC

Miscellaneous Transportation Equipment (3790)

akta.pro primary industry

Military Tactical Wheeled Vehicles (Light/Medium/Heavy) (IMABAJAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Military & Tactical Off-Highway Vehicles (Armored, Tactical Mobility) (IMAHAIAJ)

Keywords

• Armored military vehicles
• Amphibious combat vehicles
• Armored submarine manufacturing
• Defense vehicle engineering
• Military vehicle production

Headquarters

HQ city

Sudbury

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Armored Vehicle Sales: Design, development, and sale of multi-role armored vehicles including the STORM Hybrid Amphibious MPV, Phantom MPV (B6 rated), and Buggy Hunter MK-200 tactical vehicle. Products are sold as completed vehicles to military and security buyers.
2. Submarine Sales: Development and sale of the Kronos armored submarine, a hybrid vessel priced at approximately £1.3m, targeting military, rescue, and commercial underwater applications. The company exhibited the submarine at NAVDEX 2023.
3. Trimaran and Re-Equipment Services: Sale of trimaran vessels and tank re-equipment services as part of the defense manufacturing portfolio.
4. R&D and Project Management Services: R&D and project management services specializing in development and implementation of state-of-the-art technology into production, serving as a capability for both internal product development and customer-facing engineering project engagements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Highland Systems designs, develops, and manufactures specialist wheeled and amphibious armored vehicles (STORM, Phantom MPV, Buggy Hunter MK-200), the KRONOS armored submarine, Trimaran vessels, and tank re-equipment services for military and security applications. The company combines in-house R&D with hybrid electric/diesel propulsion, STANAG-certified armor, and remote/autonomous control to deliver protected mobility across land and maritime domains.

Product overview

Highland Systems is an R&D and project management company specializing in development and implementation of state-of-the-art defense technology into production. The company manufactures a portfolio of specialist wheeled and amphibious combat vehicles for military and security applications, including armored vehicles (STORM, Phantom MPV, Buggy Hunter MK-200), the KRONOS hybrid armored submarine, Trimaran vessels, and tank re-equipment services. Their vehicles incorporate advanced technologies in ballistic, IED and mine blast protection, with hybrid/electric propulsion systems and autonomous operation capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• STORM: Multi-Role Armoured Vehicle designed for specialist military and civil applications with amphibious capabilities
• Phantom MPV
• Buggy Hunter MK-200
• KRONOS
• Trimaran

Products and services

• STORM Armoured Hybrid Amphibious MPV Multi-role armored vehicle designed for specialist military and civil applications. Combines hybrid electric/diesel propulsion with STANAG 4569 Level 3 ballistic, IED, and mine blast protection, amphibious capability, and optional remote/autonomous control. Targeted at defense and security buyers operating in harsh environments.
• Phantom MPV B6 armored multi-purpose vehicle built for off-road mobility across harshest terrains, providing ballistic, IED, and mine blast protection. Designed for military and security personnel transport in high-risk areas.
• Buggy Hunter MK-200 4-person multi-purpose tactical armored vehicle designed to carry troops into challenging theaters of operation. Provides superior protection and exceptional mobility, with hybrid mode operational endurance of 18 hours and battery-only mode up to 1.5 hours.
• KRONOS Armoured Submarine Hybrid armored submarine with futuristic hydrodynamic design delivering high performance and reduced energy costs when submerged. Accommodates 10 passengers, reaches top underwater speed of 50 km/h, dives beyond 800 feet, and carries six Leonardo torpedoes for military combat alongside commercial and rescue operations.
• Trimaran High-performance marine vessel included in Highland Systems' defense product portfolio alongside armored vehicles and submarines.
• Re-Equipment Tanks Tank re-equipment services covering upgrades and refurbishment of armored military vehicles as part of Highland Systems' defense vehicle offerings.

Quantifiable outcome

• STORM vehicle hybrid mode operational range of 18-36 hours; battery-only mode up to 7 hours at 80-90 km/h; generator-only mode 8.5 hours; water range 8 hours
• +2 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Leonardo (Italian Defense Company)moderateTechnology or Integration · 1 February 2023Leonardo, an Italian defense company, produces the torpedoes equipped on the Kronos armored submarine. The Kronos submarine carries six Leonardo torpedoes as part of its armament package for military combat operations. This is a component supply relationship where Leonardo provides torpedo systems integrated into Highland Systems' submarine platform.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Lenco Industries: Lenco builds armored tactical vehicles including the BearCat platform used by US and allied forces. It overlaps with Highland Systems in wheeled armored military and security vehicles sold to defense and homeland security buyers.
• INKAS Armored Vehicle Manufacturing: INKAS designs and builds armored SUVs, personnel carriers, and tactical vehicles for military, security, and VIP customers globally. It is comparable to Highland Systems across the B6/light tactical armored category and export-driven defense marketing.
• Paramount Group: Paramount Group designs and manufactures armored vehicles, mine-protected vehicles, and aerospace platforms with operations in South Africa, the UAE, and other markets. It is comparable to Highland Systems for premium armored military and security vehicles targeting emerging-market defense buyers.
• Streit Group: Streit Group manufactures armored tactical and security vehicles from facilities in the UAE and Canada. It is a direct competitor to Highland Systems' wheeled armored vehicle lineup, especially in the Gulf defense market where both emphasize local manufacturing.
• Arquus (formerly Renault Trucks Defense): Arquus produces armored and tactical wheeled vehicles (e.g., VAB, Sherpa) for European and export military customers. It is comparable to Highland Systems for military tactical wheeled vehicles with off-road and amphibious mobility variants.

Emerging players

• Navantia: Navantia is a Spanish shipbuilder active in submarines, naval vessels, and amphibious platforms. It is a relevant peer for Highland Systems given the Kronos armored submarine's overlap with small-submarine and naval defense categories.
• DSME / Hanwha Ocean: Hanwha Ocean (formerly DSME) is a major submarine and naval shipbuilder with global defense customers. It is a peer in submarine and large naval platform construction, relevant to Highland Systems' Kronos ambitions in the undersea defense market.

Broad incumbents

• Oshkosh Defense: Oshkosh Defense supplies tactical wheeled vehicles (JLTV, FMTV, HEMTT) to the US military and allies. It is comparable as an incumbent tactical-wheeled-vehicle OEM whose products overlap with Highland Systems' armored tactical range.
• Rheinmetall: Rheinmetall produces a broad portfolio of armored wheeled and tracked vehicles and defense systems. It is comparable as the broad incumbent setting the standard in the wheeled military vehicle category Highland Systems targets.
• BAE Systems: BAE Systems is a global defense prime with extensive armored vehicle, naval, and submarine programs. It represents the large incumbent against which Highland Systems must compete for defense procurement contracts across vehicle and undersea categories.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC-IRBWU8xU6oMHIG9KYu2xw
• Facebookfacebook.com/Highland-Systems-107533938045438
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/highland-systems-uae

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about HIGHLAND SYSTEMS LTD