Rheinmetall to Modernise 21 Dutch Army Recovery Vehicles

Netherlands has awarded Rheinmetall a contract to upgrade the Army's fleet of 21 Bergepanzer-3 armoured recovery vehicles to the latest technological and tactical standard.

"The Royal Netherlands Armed Forces have awarded Rheinmetall an order for the second phase of the modernization of their fleet of 21 Bergepanzer 3-Büffel/Buffalo armoured recovery vehicles," Rheinmetall said in a statement late last week.

Although the actual value of the contract was not disclosed, the company said that it is "worth a mid-double-digit euro million figure."

Now launched, Phase 2 follows a first order awarded in April 2019, when the Royal Netherlands Army contracted with Rheinmetall for the modernization of four Bergepanzer 3 Büffel/Buffalo ARVs.

The upgrade will extend the service life of these 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.

Modernization work will take place at Rheinmetall locations in Kassel, 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 visualization 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.

The upgrade also includes installing new visualization systems, digital operating elements and command systems to support the crew while carrying out their tasks; and new battlefield recovery equipment to 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.