The Dutch armed forces have selected Rheinmetall to modernise their Bergepanzer 3 Büffel armoured recovery vehicles in a Life Extension Programme.
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Press Release, 30 April 2019: Rheinmetall is to modernise the Dutch military’s fleet of Bergepanzer 3 Büffel (Buffalo) armoured recovery vehicles. A contract to this effect was signed on 18 April 2019 at Soesterberg, a military base near Utrecht. In a first phase, four vehicles will undergo a combat performance upgrade. The order is worth a double-digit million-euro figure. In a second phase, a further 21 vehicles are to undergo corresponding modernisation. This option, also worth a figure in the double-digit euro range, already features in the contract.
Starting
immediately, Rheinmetall will completely overhaul the Royal
Netherlands Army’s Bergepanzer 3 Büffel ARVs, bringing them up to
the latest technological and tactical standard. This will extend the
service life of these tried-and-tested combat support vehicles –
developed by Rheinmetall on the basis of the Leopard 2 chassis –
through to the year 2040. The Dutch armed forces will take delivery
of the first vehicles at the beginning of 2021.
Modernisation
work will take place at Rheinmetall locations in Germany as well as
in Ede in the Netherlands. It will include a complete overhaul of the
individual armoured recovery vehicles and a new digital operating
concept; the installation of advanced visualisation technology;
mission packages featuring ballistic and mine protection; and new
battlefield recovery equipment together as well as a universal
transport platform. Also included in the contract are technical
documentation, training and other services.
This
service life extension will give the Dutch armed forces a
reconfigured state-of-the-art ARV with significant growth potential.
New force protection features both on and in the vehicle will keep
the crew extremely safe from modern battlefield threats. Cutting-edge
visualisation systems, digital operating elements and command systems
will support the crew while carrying out their tasks. Furthermore,
new battlefield recovery equipment will boost the vehicle’s
tactical effectiveness. It will be transferred to the rear section of
the vehicle. This will let the crew hook up to a damaged Royal Dutch
Army vehicle such as the Bushmaster, Boxer, CV 90 infantry fighting
vehicle, PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer, Leguan bridge-laying tank,
Kodiak combat engineering vehicle or the Leopard 2 main battle tank
without having to leave the safety of the fighting compartment,
before towing it from the battlefield at high speed in forward gear.
In addition, the modified version of the Bergepanzer 3 Büffel ARV
will feature a flexible-use universal transport platform mounted on
the rear section of the vehicle. To cite just one example, this can
be used for carrying equipment for recovering other vehicles. The new
equipment has already demonstrated its effectiveness during deployed
operations.
This
contract confirms the emergence of a new standard for modern armoured
recovery vehicles. As recently as December 2018, the Bundeswehr
contracted with Rheinmetall to modernise its fleet of Bergepanzer 3
vehicles, ensuring they remain a match for current and future
operational scenarios. Similar mission configurations are in service
with the armed forces of NATO member Canada as well as
Sweden.
Already underway, the service life extension of the Royal
Netherlands Army’s armoured recovery vehicles underscores once
again Rheinmetall’s comprehensive expertise when it comes to the
globe-spanning Leopard 2 family. This expertise extends from
maintenance and modernisation programmes to advanced armament
concepts, and from the production and technical knowledge of the
system’s original equipment manufacturer right through to
comprehensive technical and logistic support for entire vehicle
fleets – including service support during deployed operations. The
portfolio of the Düsseldorf-based high-tech group for mobility and
security also includes training and simulation solutions for Leopard
2 crews.
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