Armored Vehicles

Gaia Carmel

Also known as
  • CARMEL
  • Gaia CARMEL

Gaia Carmel is an Israeli rapid-intervention light armored vehicle from Gaia Automotive Industries, built around a Ford Ranger 4x4 automotive base with a protected six-seat crew capsule. The public record supports product identity, protection, mobility, and support-package details, but not a direct conflict-use claim.

Gaia Carmel, 4x4 rapid-intervention light armored vehicle, Armored Vehicles
Image source: Gaia Carmel Product Page
Vehicle Layout

Public Gaia material presents Carmel as a compact protected vehicle rather than a tracked combat vehicle or heavy MRAP. The brochure anchors the design to a Ford Ranger 4x4 base chassis, manual six-speed transmission, six-person seating, and automotive upgrades for the added armor load.

Automotive base

Ford Ranger 4x4 with a 2.2-liter engine, manual transfer case, and optional rear differential lock.

Protected capsule

Crew compartment walls and roof are listed at BR6 ballistic protection, with matching bullet-resistant windows.

Underbody protection

The brochure lists STANAG 4569 Level 1a and 1b protection for the vehicle bottom.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Israel
Type
4x4 rapid-intervention light armored vehicle
Service note
2020s armored vehicle family
Designer
Gaia Automotive Industries
Produced
Publicly marketed in Gaia's 2026 product materials

Specifications

Configuration
4x4 rapid-intervention light armored vehicle
Base chassis
Ford Ranger 4x4
Crew capacity
6-person seating arrangement in Gaia's technical specifications
Length
4,730 mm
Width
1,860 mm
Height
2,000 mm
Engine
Ford Ranger 2.2-liter engine rated at 160 hp
Engine torque
375 Nm at 1,500-2,500 rpm
Transmission
Ford MT82 six-speed manual transmission
Maximum speed
120 km/h on road
Curb weight
3,700 kg
Gross vehicle weight
4,400 kg in Gaia's technical specifications
Axle ratings
2,000 kg front axle and 2,400 kg rear axle
Range
600 km
Ground clearance
230 mm
Fording depth
700 mm
Suspension
Double-wishbone front suspension with coil springs; rear leaf springs with rigid axle
Fuel capacity
70 liters
Tires and rims
Five 275/70 R16 tires on 8Jx16 ET60 5x150 rims with run-flat provision
Electrical system
24-volt main system with two 55 Ah batteries
Protection
Crew compartment BR6 ballistic protection and STANAG 4569 Level 1a/1b bottom protection
Support Package

The brochure describes Carmel as a customer-delivered vehicle package with documentation, spare-parts support, and training rather than only a bare conversion kit. Listed support items include English operational and maintenance manuals, wiring diagrams, spare-parts catalog material, driving training, mechanic and electrician training at the customer site, and a diagnostic computer.

Gaia Armored Vehicle Line

Gaia lists Carmel alongside heavier armored-vehicle products rather than as a standalone combat-vehicle family. In the public catalog, the nearest Gaia vehicle records are the Gaia Thunder armored personnel carrier and the Gaia Amir mine-protected vehicle. Those pages should not be used as evidence for Carmel conflict use unless a source names Carmel directly.

Timeline

Gaia Carmel Key Events

  1. Carmel listed in Gaia product line

    Gaia's product catalog lists Carmel as a rapid-intervention light armored vehicle with improved mobility and a 4-ton gross-vehicle-weight description.

    Sources: Gaia Carmel Product Page

  2. Technical brochure details Ford Ranger-based layout

    Gaia's Carmel brochure describes the Ford Ranger 4x4 base chassis, six-seat arrangement, BR6 crew-compartment protection, STANAG 4569 Level 1a/1b bottom protection, 600 km range, and 120 km/h road speed.

    Sources: Gaia Carmel Brochure

Media

Gaia Carmel Images

Gaia Carmel, 4x4 rapid-intervention light armored vehicle, Armored Vehicles - view 1
Source: Gaia Carmel Product Page
Gaia Carmel, 4x4 rapid-intervention light armored vehicle, Armored Vehicles - view 2
Source: Gaia Carmel Product Page
Gaia Carmel, 4x4 rapid-intervention light armored vehicle, Armored Vehicles - view 3
Source: Gaia Carmel Product Page
Gaia Carmel, 4x4 rapid-intervention light armored vehicle, Armored Vehicles - view 4
Source: Gaia Carmel Product Page
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Sources

Gaia Products PagePublisher: Gaia Automotive Industries | Note: Supports Gaia product-line context listing Thunder, Amir, and Carmel as separate vehicle products. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Gaia Carmel Product PagePublisher: Gaia Automotive Industries | Note: Supports Carmel identity, rapid-intervention light armored vehicle role, 4-ton GVW product-page description, and official product image provenance. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Gaia Carmel BrochurePublisher: Gaia Automotive Industries | Note: Supports Carmel technical specifications including Ford Ranger 4x4 chassis, six-person seating, engine, torque, speed, dimensions, weight, range, fording depth, electrical system, protection levels, automotive upgrades, and customer support-package items. | Accessed: 2026-07-13