Dutch armed forces modernize their Buffalos with Rheinmetall

Rheinmetall modernizes the Bergepanzer-3-Büffel fleet of the Dutch Armed Forces. A corresponding contract was signed on April 18, 2019 at the military location in Soesterberg near Utrecht. Initially, four vehicles will be upgraded in a first phase. This order is valued in the double-digit million EUR range. In a second phase, 21 more vehicles will undergo similar modernization measures. This option is also in the double-digit million EUR range and is already part of the contract.

Starting now, Rheinmetall is bringing the Bergepanzer 3 of the Royal Netherlands Army to a completely new technological and tactical standard. With this extension of service life, the NATO partner Netherlands will use the vehicles developed by Rheinmetall, based on the Leopard 2 chassis and proven in operations, to support combat units until 2040. The first vehicles will be delivered to the Dutch Armed Forces in early 2021.

The modernization measures will be carried out at Rheinmetall locations in Germany and in Ede, Netherlands. They include a complete overhaul of each recovery vehicle and the transition to a new digital operating concept, equipping with modern visual aids, mission packages with ballistic and mine protection, and outfitting with new battlefield recovery equipment and universal carrying platforms. Additionally, technical documentation, training, and other services are included.

Through this service life extension, the Dutch Armed Forces will have a recovery vehicle in the most modern configuration with a significant increase in capabilities. The new protective measures on and in the vehicle provide the crew with a high level of security against threats on today's battlefields. State-of-the-art visual aids, digital controls, and management systems support the crew in fulfilling their mission. Furthermore, the new battlefield recovery equipment enhances the tactical value. It is moved from the front of the vehicle to the rear, making it possible to attach and recover armored combat vehicles of the Royal Netherlands Army such as Bushmaster, Boxer, CV 90 infantry fighting vehicle, PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer, Leguan bridge layer, Kodiak engineer vehicle, and Leopard 2 main battle tank under protection in forward motion with swift speed from the battlefield. Additionally, the modified version of the Bergepanzer 3 Büffel receives a flexible universal transport platform on the rear of the vehicle, allowing it to carry additional equipment for recovering other vehicles. The new equipment has already proven its worth in operations.

This contract sets a new standard for modern recovery vehicles. Just in December 2018, the German Bundeswehr contracted Rheinmetall to modernize its Bergepanzer-3 fleet to adapt them to current operational scenarios. Similar mission configurations are in use by NATO partner Canada and the Swedish Armed Forces.

The ongoing service life extension of the Dutch NATO partner's recovery vehicles once again highlights Rheinmetall's extensive experience with the Leopard 2 family. This expertise ranges from maintenance and modernization programs to modern weapons concepts, manufacturing, and functioning as a system provider, to comprehensive technical and logistical support of the vehicle fleet - including services in operational areas. Training and simulation technology for Leopard 2 crews are also part of the portfolio of the high-tech group for mobility and security.

RHEINMETALL DEFENCE online: www.rheinmetall-defence.com

The Dutch Army online: www.defensie.nl