Former military contractors don't often make a splash in the world of superyacht tenders, yet Italy's MED Group is preparing to do exactly that at Monaco. The Cervia-based shipyard is arriving with TYKUN, a new line of high-performance aluminium chase boats developed in partnership with architect Tommaso Spadolini.
MED Group has spent more than 30 years supplying professional vessels to public agencies, law enforcement bodies, and NATO-aligned defence clients. The TYKUN range represents a deliberate pivot, channelling that same technical pedigree into the luxury market through purpose-built boats that marry serious speed with refined Italian craftsmanship.
Three hull lengths make up the TYKUN family: 8.5m, 10.5m, and 12.5m. All three are built from lightweight aluminium, which sets them apart from the fibreglass and carbon fibre constructions typical of this class. The choice of material is not merely aesthetic. Aluminium allows a boat's layout to be modified over its working life, giving owners genuine flexibility as their requirements change.
Spadolini shaped the range around a blend of "pleasure, performance, and style," and that philosophy extends to nearly every detail. Hull geometry, fabrics, and finishes can all be tailored to individual preference. "We know that owners will appreciate the flexibility of the design and layout," he says.
The performance figures behind these vessels owe a great deal to MED Group's defence division, MED DEFENSE, which is known for its NATO-certified RIBs and hard-wearing utility platforms. That operational background has directly informed the TYKUN's engineering: the boats are built to exceed 55 knots and to maintain composure in rough sea conditions. CEO Marco Galimberti sums up the ambition plainly. "These boats combine the power and grit of a military vessel with the elegance and comfort of a superyacht tender," he says.
The 2025 Monaco Yacht Show will mark the public debut of the first 10.5m TYKUN, while the first 12.5m model has already been commissioned and is scheduled for launch in 2026. Backing those plans is a workforce of 60 craftspeople at the Cervia shipyard, with an expansion into a new facility planned for next year to keep pace with anticipated demand.
