Rheinmetall is modernizing the German armed forces’ armoured recovery vehicle 3 fleet on behalf of the Bundeswehr in order to adapt it to changing operational requirements.
A corresponding contract has now been signed at the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw). From 2019 to 2024, 69 armored recovery vehicles 3 are to be equipped with battlefield recovery systems and universal transport platforms. The contract is worth 30 million euros.
The battlefield recovery systems (GFB) and universal transport platforms (UTP) are manufactured by Rheinmetall in Kassel and integrated into the vehicles. The contract also includes accessories and documentation. The battlefield recovery equipment will be relocated from the front of the vehicle to the rear. This makes it possible to attach combat vehicles such as the Leopard 2 main battle tank under protection in the event of damage and to recover them from the battlefield while moving forward quickly. The modified version of the armored recovery vehicle 3 also has a flexible universal transport platform on the rear of the vehicle. This allows it to carry additional equipment for recovering other vehicles, for example.
Four Bergepanzer 3 armored recovery vehicles have already been equipped with GFB and UTP as part of an immediate operational requirement for the ISAF mission in Afghanistan. Two other vehicles previously deployed by the Canadian Army in Afghanistan also received the modifications. The new equipment has proved its worth.
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