The German Armed Forces has according to a report by Europäische Sicherheit & Technik (ESUT), the German armed forces have ordered 35 Panther 8×8 airfield firefighting vehicles from Austrian manufacturer Rosenbauer for defensive fire protection in operations and for basic operations. The order could be increased to up to 60 vehicles in the coming years.
According to the report, the budget committee of the German Bundestag already agreed on June 19 to conclude a framework agreement with Rosenbauer for up to 60 of the vehicles built on Volvo chassis. According to the agreement, 35 vehicles will initially be procured at a price of 84.1 million euros and provided from the special fund, with the first vehicles to be handed over in 2026.
The Panther 8×8 has a 12,500 liter extinguishing water tank, tanks for extinguishing foam and powder and up to 1,450 hp engine power. According to ESUT, special military features include “pre-equipment for the D-LBO (Basic) command and control system and the civilian BOS radio, camouflage and infrared light as well as operational capability in accordance with the ‘Single Fuel Policy’ of NATO“.
Rosenbauer and the Bundeswehr have agreed on two variants for the first 35 vehicles: 23 in the defensive fire protection variant, which are painted according to military standards, and twelve vehicles for basic operations/land and alliance defense. The Bundeswehr will only be able to define the variants for the up to 25 other vehicles at a later date.
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