Two years earlier than planned: double the number of transport vehicles

The Bundeswehr will receive an additional 367 interchangeable loading systems (WLS) and 1,634 matching interchangeable loading platforms with accessories. The President of the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Use of the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw) signed a corresponding call-off from a framework contract with Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicle GmbH that has been in place since 2020. As a result, by the end of the year, a total of nearly 1,000 new WLS will be handed over to the troops. This means that the Bundeswehr will have almost twice as many vehicles as originally planned two years earlier.

Due to the Bundeswehr's increased focus on national and alliance defense, the need for protected and unprotected mobility is increasing. Now, 203 of the 367 new WLS will be procured in an unprotected version and 164 in a protected version. In this version, the entire cab of the vehicles has a protected cell that provides protection for up to three occupants against the effects of fragments, infantry ammunition, and landmines.

The WLS are highly mobile, off-road wheeled vehicles. They consist of a 15-ton payload truck with interchangeable loading equipment and an interchangeable loading platform. These platforms can be pulled onto the vehicle using a hook. This allows the supply of the troops, especially with consumable items such as ammunition and fuel, without the need for additional handling equipment such as cranes or forklifts.

The underlying framework contract allows for orders of up to 4,000 systems over a seven-year period. The initial fixed order for 230 protected and 310 unprotected vehicles and their platforms was already delivered to the Bundeswehr by earlier this year. The total financial requirement for the new call-off amounts to around 317 million euros. Delivery is expected by November 2023 at the latest.

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