Start from a ready design or from scratch? Choosing the route in defence land vehicle projects
We compare adapting a ready design with designing from scratch in a new land vehicle project, in terms of time and risk.
When starting a new defence land vehicle project, the first decision is often this: adapt an existing design, or design from scratch for your specific need? Both have their place. The right choice depends on how much of the need an existing design already meets.
The advantage of starting from a ready design
- Because the design basis already exists, the first prototype is reached in a shorter time.
- The design package includes the bill of materials (BOM), 3D models, technical drawings and system schematics; the basic information needed to start the project is ready.
- The known characteristics of an existing design reduce uncertainty and development risk.
When is adaptation not enough?
If your requirements fall outside the class of the existing design (weight, protection level, crew size, mission), adaptation can cost both time and performance. In such cases a from-scratch design gives a better result with fewer compromises.
The advantage and the price of a from-scratch design
A from-scratch design gives a vehicle that fits the requirements exactly. In return, design, analysis and prototype time are longer, and verifying the first calculations takes more work.
The third route: take a design as a base and adapt it
In many projects the most balanced route is to use an existing design as the starting point and develop it together to suit your need. This combines the speed of a ready design with the fit of a purpose-made one.
Questions to decide
- Which vehicle class and protection level does your requirement correspond to?
- What is the target timeline? When is the first prototype needed?
- Will the production line and production conditions also be part of the design?
- How much flexibility is there for budget and development risk?
YDD Technology offers all three options
We can supply the design package as it is, adapt an existing design to your need, or design a new vehicle from scratch. If needed we can also cover assembly procedures, production quality fixtures (templates, gauges and fixtures) and production line study. We are also open to investment partnership: we can take our designs to production together.
Published: 2026-10-26