KMW Teams Up with Dutch firm Defenture for German Airborne Platform Procurement

KMW Teams Up with Dutch firm Defenture for German Airborne Platform Procurement

Germany’s Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) has partnered with Dutch company Defenture to build new tactical vehicles to replace the German Army’s two decades-old vehicles.

A letter of intent (LoI) has already been signed by both companies.

The companies plan to develop a vehicle based on Defenture’s VECTOR (Versatile Expeditionary Commando Tactial Off Road) light all-terrain tactical vehicle. The VECTOR was developed in close cooperation with the Korps Commandotroepen (KCT) of the Royal Netherlands Army and is tailor-made for use in Special Operations, providing a combination of high mobility and firepower with light armour. For Germany’s airborne platform project, this vehicle basis will be adapted to the new requirements.

A specific variant of the Defenture’s Air Transportable Combat Vehicle (ATTV) based on the GRF 5.12 Chassis platform is the VECTOR.  The ATTV’s corrosion resistant bodywork, stainless-steel central chassis, powerful engine and optional 4-wheel steering enable it to combine the elements of durability and high operational payload with dynamic mobility and a low vehicle weight when fully equipped. The ATTV is the ideal choice for combat patrolling, air mobile operations and specialist interdiction missions, Defenture claims.

The Netherlands-based companu was selected in August 2021 to deliver tactical vehicles for the German Kommando Spezialkräfte (Special Forces Command) of the Bundeswehr. It concerns the delivery of maximum 80 vehicles in various configurations.

The Kommando Spezialkräfte wanted a mobility platform for various operations dedicated and fully developed for specific military end users. It chose Defenture Mammoth, a 9-ton modular all-wheel drive vehicle, based on the GRF 5.12 chassis.

Initially, Defenture will provide a total of four prototype vehicles in configurations for the AGF 2 (medium SF reconnaissance/combat) and UFK (medium tactical SF support) programmes. Each platform will be equipped with various systems like shot detection systems, radios, long- and short-range EO, weapon mounts and internal communication systems.

Based on thorough end user testing, final configurations will be set as the start of the assembly of a complete series, comprising of a maximum of 80 vehicles, the company had said.