The German Bundeswehr has awarded Rheinmetall an order for 252 unprotected transport vehicles with payloads of five and fifteen tonnes. This order falls under the framework agreement concluded in 2017 for more than 2,200 state-of-the-art military trucks. The order value of the 252 trucks just ordered comes to around €92 million, including value added tax. Before the end of 2019, Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles GmbH (RMMV) will build and deliver the vehicles, which include a total of 161 5-tonne trucks and 91 15-tonne trucks. Production of the lot just ordered will commence directly after completion of the first lot of vehicles, which are due to be delivered during the next few months, right on schedule.

Encompassing a total of 2,271 unprotected transport vehicles from RMMV’s HX family, the framework agreement concluded on 5 July 2017 with the Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-service Support (BAAINBw) is worth around €900 million (without VAT), including special tools and training services. As a first step, an order was issued for an initial lot of 558 vehicles.

In undertaking this large-scale project, the Du?sseldorf-based Group for mobility and security solutions is making a major contribution to modernizing the Bundeswehr’s fleet of trucks, which numbers in the thousands. Consisting primarily of components made in Germany, e.g. the engines, axles, transmissions and build-ons, the vehicles will be assembled at the RMMV plant in Vienna.

Particularly when it comes to multinational operations, the widespread global presence of RMMV vehicles results in major advantages with respect to interoperability and logistics. Among others, current users include the armed forces of the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Denmark. Norway and Sweden have also placed substantial orders for trucks made by RMMV.

The Armored Group Now Providing Armored Vehicles to U.S. Ally Bangladesh

(Phoenix, AZ – May 21, 2019) The Armored Group, LLC (TAG) has announced the delivery of seven Ballistic Armored Tactical Transport (BATT®-X) armored vehicles to Bangladesh, a brand-new market for the armored vehicle manufacturer. The vehicles will be used by local law enforcement departments. In addition to providing the vehicles, The Armored Group also developed a comprehensive training program for over 20 police officers that will be using the vehicles.

The BATT-X can carry 10 officers, depending on the size of the operators and amount of gear. It was designed to comfortably accommodate law enforcement agencies and tactical teams while offering the highest level of security features such as the B7/NIJ IV+ .50 Cal Ball Ammo Protection or B7/NIJ III Armor Levels.

These particular vehicles were customized with partial V-bottom hulls for increased blast, which is unique on the F550. In addition, individual blast seats were installed.

Other features include:

• Blast mitigating floor.

• Internal armored firewall.

• Rifle-rated roof protection.

• Fully armored hood clip.

• TAG Exclusive Flip Forward Front Clip System

• Best-in-class climate control system.

• Dual heating and air conditioning systems in front and back.

• Oversized rear deployment bumper with steps.

• Front door lockout ability at 90° and 45°.

• Rear door lockout ability at 90° and at full open

• Heavy Duty Oversized Running Boards

• Optic-ready gun ports.

• Four-wheel drive off-road capabilities.

• Enclosed under-seat storage in rear compartment with back board slat cut outs

• 360° Rotating Turret with Oversized flush-mounted sniper step.

• Roof Hatches

• Emergency Lights and Siren System

“We are happy to enter the South Asian market and help our allies in Bangladesh. Both of our countries have shared values in the matters of regional and global security and counter terrorism. In fact, they were a key participant in Obama’s international development initiatives including food security, healthcare and environmental concerns,” said Robert Pazderka, President and founder of The Armored Group. “This new alliance with Bangladesh has opened the doors for TAG to provide the highest level of protection to our allies in South Asia and keep those fighting for positive changes as safe as possible.

The comprehensive TAG training program included the following Technical, Mechanical and Driving training programs:

Technical training:

·         Training on all the accessories and their functions:

o   Gunport operation 

o   Door operation (various angles, lockout function)

o   front winch operations

o   STIS compressor operations

o   Turret functionality and movability

o   Police lights, strobe lights, infrared lights operations

o   OEM (original equipment manufacturer) operations of the vehicle

Mechanical Training 

·         Training of how to maintain the vehicle and how to do preventative maintenance

·         Daily inspections to be conducted before vehicle can be deployed

·         Service Maintenance (Oil change, Oil filter change, Transmission fluid change, Steering fluid change, Battery monitoring and signals to look for when to replace the battery, fuel filter replacement, AC filter replacement, Air filter replacement)

·         General Maintenance (Lubrication of all joints, Hinges, bearings)

·         Scheduled maintenance timings (When the vehicle should have a service and when the parts needs to be checked or replaced)

Driving Training

·         Each trainee had to learn how to drive the BATT X

o   Operating various functions while driving

o   Emergency brake testing

o   Various maneuvering techniques  

o   General driving safety principals

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The Dutch armed forces select Rheinmetall to modernize their Bergepanzer 3 Büffel armoured recovery vehicles, making them a match for today’s operational requirements

Rheinmetall is to modernize the Dutch military’s fleet of Bergepanzer 3 Büffel (‘buffalo’) armoured recovery vehicles. A contract to this effect was signed on 18 April 2019 at Soesterberg, a military base near Utrecht. In a first phase, four vehicles will undergo a combat performance upgrade. The order is worth a double-digit million-euro figure. In a second phase, a further 21 vehicles are to undergo corresponding modernization. This option, also worth a figure in the double-digit euro range, already features in the contract.

Starting immediately, Rheinmetall will completely overhaul the Royal Netherlands Army’s Bergepanzer 3 Büffel ARVs, bringing them up to the latest technological and tactical standard. This will extend the service life of these tried-and-tested combat support vehicles – developed by Rheinmetall on the basis of the Leopard 2 chassis – through to the year 2040. The Dutch armed forces will take delivery of the first vehicles at the beginning of 2021.

Modernization work will take place at Rheinmetall locations in Germany as well as in Ede in the Netherlands. It will include a complete overhaul of the individual armoured recovery vehicles and a new digital operating concept; the installation of advanced visualization technology; mission packages featuring ballistic and mine protection; and new battlefield recovery equipment together as well as a universal transport platform. Also included in the contract are technical documentation, training and other services.

This service life extension will give the Dutch armed forces a reconfigured state-of-the-art ARV with significant growth potential. New force protection features both on and in the vehicle will keep the crew extremely safe from modern battlefield threats. Cutting-edge visualization systems, digital operating elements and command systems will support the crew while carrying out their tasks. Furthermore, new battlefield recovery equipment will boost the vehicle’s tactical effectiveness. It will be transferred to the rear section of the vehicle. This will let the crew hook up to a damaged Royal Dutch Army vehicle such as the Bushmaster, Boxer, CV 90 infantry fighting vehicle, PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer, Leguan bridge-laying tank, Kodiak combat engineering vehicle or the Leopard 2 main battle tank without having to leave the safety of the fighting compartment, before towing it from the battlefield at high speed in forward gear. In addition, the modified version of the Bergepanzer 3 Büffel ARV will feature a flexible-use universal transport platform mounted on the rear section of the vehicle. To cite just one example, this can be used for carrying equipment for recovering other vehicles. The new equipment has already demonstrated its effectiveness during deployed operations.

This contract confirms the emergence of a new standard for modern armoured recovery vehicles. As recently as December 2018, the Bundeswehr contracted with Rheinmetall to modernize its fleet of Bergepanzer 3 vehicles, ensuring they remain a match for current and future operational scenarios. Similar mission configurations are in service with the armed forces of NATO member Canada as well as Sweden.

Already underway, the service life extension of the Royal Netherlands Army’s armoured recovery vehicles underscores once again Rheinmetall’s comprehensive expertise when it comes to the globe-spanning Leopard 2 family. This expertise extends from maintenance and modernization programmes to advanced armament concepts, and from the production and technical knowledge of the system’s original equipment manufacturer right through to comprehensive technical and logistic support for entire vehicle fleets – including service support during deployed operations. The portfolio of the Düsseldorf-based high-tech group for mobility and security also includes training and simulation solutions for Leopard 2 crews.