ALTERNATIVE FINANCING FORMS
FOR ENTREPRENEURS AND INVESTORS
News
Photo: Mars Armor

DPE: Mehler Systems Acquires a Majority Stake in MARS Armor

Photo: Mars Armor “Choice of Protec­tion”: Model 57 Safe­guard Design (Photo © Mars Armor)
2. Novem­ber 2026

Fulda – Mehler Systems, an inter­na­tio­nal group of compa­nies with combi­ned exper­tise in the fields of balli­stic protec­tion, tacti­cal equip­ment, and tacti­cal appa­rel, today signed an agree­ment to acquire a majo­rity stake in MARS Armor, a Bulga­rian manu­fac­tu­rer of perso­nal balli­stic protec­tion solu­ti­ons. The acqui­si­tion streng­thens the group’s presence in Eastern Europe, expands its port­fo­lio with comple­men­tary products and capa­bi­li­ties, soli­di­fies its EU-based supply chain, and brings the group closer to its custo­mers in the region. Mehler Systems is a port­fo­lio company of DPE.

MARS Armor, based in Kost­in­brod, Bulga­ria, deve­lops and manu­fac­tures protec­tive equip­ment for the mili­tary, law enforce­ment agen­cies, and govern­ment clients. Its product port­fo­lio includes balli­stic vests, soft and hard balli­stic protec­tion, balli­stic helmets, shields, and protec­tive equip­ment for mine clearance and bomb dispo­sal opera­ti­ons. In addi­tion, the company has its own test­ing faci­li­ties for balli­stic and stab-resistant testing.

With MARS Armor, the Group is expan­ding its reach to new custo­mers and appli­ca­ti­ons. At the same time, the port­fo­lio is being expan­ded to include addi­tio­nal NIJ-compli­­ant protec­tive systems as well as specia­li­zed solu­ti­ons such as mine-clea­ring suits. Custo­mers in MARS Armor’s target markets also gain access to comple­men­tary products and solu­ti­ons from the entire Mehler Systems portfolio.

Commen­ting on the acqui­si­tion , Dr. Mario Amschlin­ger, CEO of Mehler Systems, said: “Inter­na­tio­nal growth means inves­t­ing in local compa­nies that have the exper­tise and custo­mer rela­ti­onships to support users over the long term. MARS Armor provi­des us with a strong foun­da­tion for the next phase of growth in Eastern Europe.”

MARS Armor will conti­nue to operate under its estab­lished brand and exis­ting manage­ment, while rely­ing on the support of Mehler Systems. The Group is commit­ted to sustain­ably streng­thening MARS Armor’s exper­tise and capa­bi­li­ties in Bulga­ria, pursuing a consis­t­ently custo­­mer-orien­­ted approach with a focus on exis­ting and future target markets.

Plamen Tash­kov, CEO of MARS Armor, adds: “We are brin­ging our expe­ri­ence, our products, and our custo­mer rela­ti­onships to Mehler Systems. We look forward to buil­ding on these strengths and contri­bu­ting to the group’s further deve­lo­p­ment in Eastern Europe and beyond with an expan­ded portfolio.”

The acqui­si­tion marks another mile­stone in Mehler Systems’ inter­na­tio­nal growth stra­tegy. Through targe­ted acqui­si­ti­ons, the group conti­nues to expand its presence in stra­te­gi­cally important markets while streng­thening the reach and resi­li­ence of its supply chain.

About MARS Armor

MARS Armor is a Bulga­rian manu­fac­tu­rer of perso­nal balli­stic protec­tive equip­ment with more than 20 years of expe­ri­ence and a presence in over 40 count­ries. The company combi­nes deve­lo­p­ment, manu­fac­tu­ring, and test­ing exper­tise to provide protec­tive solu­ti­ons tail­o­red to the needs of the mili­tary, law enforce­ment agen­cies, and govern­ment clients. — www.marsarmor.com.

About Mehler Systems

The Mehler Systems Group is a leading inter­na­tio­nal provi­der of balli­stic protec­tion solu­ti­ons and tacti­cal equip­ment for law enforce­ment agen­cies, mili­tary forces, and special opera­ti­ons units.

Mehler Systems includes the brands Mehler Protec­tion, Craig Inter­na­tio­nal Balli­stics, Lind­ner­hof, and UF PRO. Mehler Protec­tion specia­li­zes in body and plat­form protec­tion solu­ti­ons; UF PRO specia­li­zes in high-quality tacti­cal appa­rel systems; and Lind­ner­hof is known for inno­va­tive carry­ing systems and tacti­cal equip­ment. With a presence in over 40 count­ries, Mehler Systems has estab­lished itself as a leading provi­der over the past four deca­des and is synony­mous with inno­va­tion and the conti­nuous deve­lo­p­ment of protec­tion and equip­ment solu­ti­ons. — www.mehler-systems.com.

Subscribe newsletter

Here you can read about the latest transactions, IPOs, private equity deals and venture capital investments, who has raised a new fund, how Buy & Build activities are going.

Get in touch

Contact us!
fyb [at] fyb.de