Following Germany, the Netherlands has now also decided to procure Caracal light operational vehicles. The aim is to modernize the fleet of the 11th Luchtmobil Brigade, which has been integrated into the Rapid Forces Division (DSK) since 2014.
As the Dutch Ministry of Defense announced this week, the army is planning to procure a total of 504 units of the RheinmetallACS Armored Car Systems and Mercedes-Benz. The first four vehicles are due to arrive next year for testing, with 100 vehicles to be delivered each year from 2025. The camouflage materials will be supplied by the German company Ghosthood. The vehicles are expected to be assembled by VDL Special Products in Eindhoven and Rheinmetall-NL in Ede; according to official figures, the order is worth 302.5 million euros.
Germany (where procurement is being carried out under the name “airborne platform”) is even planning to procure up to 1,000 technically identical Caracals for its DSK. The interoperability of the joint formation is to be further increased by the identical types. The airborne vehicle family is based on the new G-Class chassis for rescue and special operations. The vehicles can be equipped with various weapons, for example a heavy machine gun and Spike ground-to-ground anti-tank guided missiles. Optional protective elements against ballistic and mine threats are also available. The six-cylinder Euro III diesel engine delivers 249 hp, enabling the 4,900 kilogram vehicle to reach a top speed of 130 km/h. The compact design allows up to two vehicles to be transported by air in the cargo hold of a CH-53K King Stallion or CH-47F Chinook transport helicopter. The Caracal can also be carried as an external load. https://militaeraktuell.at/bae-systems-saab-erhaelt-subauftrag-fuer-cv-90/ In addition to Rheinmetall, ACS and Mercedes-Benz, Krauss Maffei Krauss Maffei-Wegmann and Defenture with their GRF platform had also competed for the contracts.
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