Solid-state hydrogen for future military land systems
BAK is developing a modular hydrogen system that helps reduce reliance on fuel and water logistics by generating electricity and water on-site.
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Transitioning defence off fossil fuels is urgent — and it changes who wins.
01
In a total war scenario, fuel supply becomes a strategic vulnerability.
02
Stationary bases and mobile platforms both depend on reliable energy and water.
03
Decentralized alternatives reduce dependence on fragile fossil fuel logistics.
Selected to support fossil-fuel-free operations for CAF and NATO Allies
img // chutterbug
Selected to support fossil-fuel-free operations for CAF and NATO Allies
Transitioning NATO off fossil fuels is one of the most complex and consequential challenges facing modern society. It is also one of the most urgent. BAK Motors has been selected to help prepare the Canadian Armed Forces and our NATO Allies to operate without fossil fuels.
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Both NATO and its adversaries have the capability to destroy each other’s oil refineries within the first 72 hours of a total war scenario. When that happens, whoever has an alternative fuel source wins. Whoever doesn’t, loses.
Working alongside top military strategic advisors, two options were identified:
Option 1: Decentralized, resilient local energy solutions that power military platforms using solid-state hydrogen technology.
Option 2: Go back to horses.
Option 1 was chosen.
TRUSTED BY
A field-deployable hydrogen system — safe, scalable, and unpressurized
The solution is built on a proven scientific breakthrough: a solid-state hydrogen storage system that requires no pressurization, developed by Dr. Paul Smith and now being engineered by Bak Motors to military-grade standards. It is designed to be safe, scalable, and field-deployable.
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Unlike conventional hydrogen tanks that rely on high pressure, the Bak Motors system is designed to remain unpressurized. Hydrogen is released only in the precise quantities needed, when it’s needed — supporting controlled use in field conditions without adding heavy infrastructure. This approach is intended to reduce risk and complexity compared to traditional high-pressure storage methods and legacy liquid-fuel handling.
What this enables in the field
Reduced fossil-fuel dependency:
Enables alternative energy pathways for defence operations where fuel logistics create risk and constraint.
Hydrogen contains no carbon, so it does not produce CO₂ from combustion.
Decentralized energy options:
Hydrogen can be produced using local energy inputs, supporting resilient operations in distributed environments.
Hydrogen can be produced from renewable energy sources such as wind or solar where available.
Water generation capability:
Hydrogen use can generate water as a byproduct, supporting sustainment and cooling needs where water access is constrained.
When hydrogen is used for power, water is produced as a byproduct.
MOBILE LAND PLATFORMS
LUV, LAV, trucks, and logistics platforms — concept-to-prototype development
Built for a base and the platforms that operate from it
STATIONARY OPERATIONS
FOB/MOB and base infrastructure, including data centre and edge power needs.
WATER + SUSTAINMENT
Water generation to reduce logistical burden and support operations.
Img // serjan midili / Mulyadi / Akira Hojo
Kincsem: the foundation for next-generation platforms
To demonstrate the concept, BAK Motors developed Kincsem, the world’s first solid-state hydrogen-powered light armoured vehicle. Named after history’s most successful racehorse, Kincsem is the foundation for the next generation of Canadian military platforms.
Meet the Kincsem LAV concept
Diesel is cheap at the filling station, but can become very expensive off-grid: in the Iraq war, the average cost of supplying forward locations was $27 per gallon, or an eye-watering $400/gallon if it had to be supplied by helicopter. In the military, removing fuel logistics also saves lives: over 170 US personnel have been killed or injured since 2001 when delivering fuel in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Meet the feasibility report
CAF hydrogen-powered heavy logistics vehicle
Additional program details will be added here as they are cleared for publication.
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Frequently asked questions
Is this for bases only — or vehicles too?
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How does solid-state hydrogen storage work at a high level?
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What does ‘unpressurized’ mean in practice?
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Does the system generate water?
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What programs are currently in development (LAV/HLV)?
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Is the Kincsem Hyper GT connected?
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Tell us whether your focus is stationary operations, mobile platforms, or both — we’ll follow up with next steps.