Lebanon-based defense manufacturer Frem has released new images showing the ongoing development of its next-generation tactical vehicle, Venom, designed to serve special operations forces, CEO David Frem confirmed.
The images, shared by the company, depict the Venom under construction in its Special Operation Vehicle (SOV) configuration, a lightweight variant emphasizing speed, mobility, and rapid deployment over heavy armor. Frem described the prototype as the first completed version of a modular platform intended to form the foundation for an entire family of specialized vehicles.
According to the company, the Venom platform is built as a highly customizable and modular system capable of supporting multiple mission roles, including both manned and unmanned variants. The architecture allows different configurations to be assembled on a single core chassis, enabling adaptations for reconnaissance, troop transport, or other specialized tasks depending on operational requirements.
The current SOV prototype is optimized for high-mobility missions in environments where speed, agility, and operational flexibility are critical. The vehicle uses a reinforced yet lightweight frame paired with an advanced all-terrain suspension system to enhance off-road performance. Frem emphasized that this design allows the vehicle to navigate challenging terrain while maintaining a high level of maneuverability, a key consideration for rapid insertion and extraction missions where heavier armored vehicles may be restricted.
While technical specifications and performance data have not been released, the company highlighted the Venom’s focus on balancing structural strength with reduced mass. Frem also stressed the platform’s modularity, noting that the base chassis could eventually be adapted into logistics, command, or unmanned ground vehicle configurations. Future variants are expected to broaden the platform’s role from specialized operations to wider tactical and security applications.
The Venom project builds on Frem’s previous experience in developing tactical vehicles in Lebanon. The company has been a pioneer in designing and manufacturing specialized vehicles domestically, a sector traditionally dominated by foreign suppliers. Frem’s earlier Immortal 4×4 vehicle, unveiled in 2018 after seven years of research and development, marked a milestone as the first Lebanese-made tactical vehicle to receive a national license plate. That project laid the groundwork for the company’s current modular platform strategy.
Frem describes its approach to vehicle design as centered on continuous development, operational performance, and safety. The company aims to produce vehicles that combine innovative engineering with practical battlefield utility. David Frem highlighted that the Venom project reflects the company’s broader ambition to strengthen Lebanon’s domestic industrial and defense manufacturing capabilities while exploring potential export markets.
“It is only one’s dream that can build a country,” Frem said, underscoring the company’s long-term focus on nurturing Lebanon’s industrial base and technical expertise.
The Venom prototype remains under construction, and Frem has not announced a timeline for testing, evaluation, or production. However, the release of the images signals the company’s commitment to advancing Lebanon’s position in the global tactical vehicle market and developing a modular platform capable of adapting to multiple operational scenarios.
As regional and global security challenges evolve, platforms like the Venom could offer specialized forces the flexibility and mobility required for rapid-response operations, particularly in environments where traditional armored vehicles face limitations. Frem’s work highlights Lebanon’s emerging role in domestic defense innovation, a rare example of local engineering and manufacturing in a sector dominated by international players.
The company has positioned the Venom as more than a single vehicle; it represents a strategic approach to modular design that could reshape Lebanon’s tactical vehicle capabilities while signaling ambitions for future technological growth.
