Rheinmetall is modernizing the armoured recovery vehicle fleet of the Dutch armed forces. A corresponding order was signed a few days ago at the Soesterberg military base near Utrecht.
Initially, four vehicles are to be upgraded in a first phase. This order is worth tens of millions of euros. In a second phase, a further 21 vehicles are to undergo corresponding modernization measures. This option is also worth tens of millions of euros and is already part of the contract.
With work beginning immediately, Rheinmetall is upgrading the Koninklijke Landmacht’s Armored Recovery Vehicle 3 to a completely new technological and tactical standard. With this service life extension, NATO partner the Netherlands will deploy the combat-proven vehicles developed by Rheinmetall and based on the Leopard 2 chassis to support its combat units until 2040. The first vehicles will be handed over to the Dutch armed forces at the beginning of 2021.
The modernization measures are being carried out at Rheinmetall sites in Germany and Ede in the Netherlands. They include a complete overhaul of the individual armored recovery vehicles as well as the conversion to a new digital operating concept, the installation of modern visual equipment, mission packages with ballistic and mine protection and the fitting of new battlefield recovery equipment and universal stretcher platforms. Technical documentation, training and other services are also provided. State-of-the-art visual aids, digital controls and command and control systems support the crew in fulfilling their mission. Furthermore, the new battlefield recovery equipment increases the tactical operational value. It is relocated from the front of the vehicle to the rear. This enables the Royal Netherlands Army’s armored combat vehicles such as the Bushmaster, Boxer, CV 90 infantry fighting vehicle, 2000 self-propelled howitzer, Leguan bridge layer, Kodiak armored engineer vehicle and Leopard 2 main battle tank to be attached under cover in the event of damage and recovered from the battlefield at high speed while moving forward. The modified version of the 3 Büffel armored recovery vehicle 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. The new equipment has already proven itself in action.
Here for further reports on Rheinmetall.
