Bundeswehr gets elephants

Rheinmetall has been commissioned by the Bundeswehr to deliver heavy tractor-trailers (SaZgM). The first unarmored heavy transport vehicle of the Elefant 2 type is expected to be delivered in 2019, with a further 31 vehicles to follow in 2020. The contract value for these initial 32 vehicles amounts to around 28.5 million EUR gross. The framework contract runs for seven years and includes the option to deliver another 105 Elefant 2 vehicles. This results in a total contract value of 122 million EUR gross for 137 vehicles. Following the major contract awarded in July 2017 for the Unprotected Transport Vehicles (UTF) of the Bundeswehr, this new commission represents another significant sales success for Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV) with the German armed forces.

The HX81 SaZgM Elefant 2 features an eight-cylinder diesel engine with 680 hp. As a result, the highly mobile all-wheel-drive truck achieves a top speed of 89 km/h and can overcome gradients of 60 percent. The technically permissible total train weight is 130 tonnes. The Elefant 2 has the same driver's cab as the UTF family. The cab can be exchanged for a protected version if necessary. The vehicle equipment also includes a double winch system from Rotzler, each with a pulling force of 20 tonnes.

The HX81 Elefant 2 represents an addition to the Heavy Transporters (SLT) of the Bundeswehr. The unarmored Elefant 2 complements the protected Mammoth heavy transporter, which was also delivered by RMMV. Particularly in view of Germany's commitment to provide the rapid NATO Response Force Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF 2023) in 2023, the transport of heavy combat vehicles is a key capability.

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