Bundeswehr orders armored recovery vehicles from Rheinmetall worth hundreds of millions

Rheinmetall has received an order from the German armed forces, the Bundeswehr, for a replacement of 23 Bergepanzer 3 Büffel armored recovery vehicles. The order followed a budgetary decision by the Bundestag on June 10, 2026. The value of the replacement order is in the mid three-digit millions of euros.

The order replaces 21 Bergepanzer 2 (BPz 2) and two Bergepanzer 3 (BPz 3) armored recovery vehicles that were previously handed over to Ukraine as part of Germany's support. These new vehicles will bolster the Bundeswehr's capabilities in armored recovery and support. Delivery of the first vehicle is scheduled for December 2027, just 18 months after the contract signing. Rheinmetall has pre-financed and commenced production to ensure this early delivery, with the final vehicle expected by June 2029.

The order is for a modernized version of the established Bergepanzer 3, known to the customer as the Bergepanzer 3 A2. This highlights the ongoing importance of the armored recovery vehicle as a key support system for mechanized forces. The move aims to ensure long-term operational readiness using a proven, commercially available system manufactured with state-of-the-art processes, rather than developing new capabilities.

This configuration aligns with current technology and allows for future upgrades. The Bergepanzer 3 will provide vital long-term support for armored forces and is designed for decades of service. Investing in a modernized, future-proof fleet ensures the continued availability of this capability within the Bundeswehr.