As a first step, the Swedish armed forces have placed an order for a first lot of 215 vehicles in various configurations. Of these, 51 will have specially protected driver’s cabs, developed and manufactured by Rheinmetall.

Together, the armed forces of Sweden and Norway have thus ordered a total of 335 vehicles now in 14 different configurations, worth some €200 million. The first lot – consisting of a mix of different models – will be delivered between the end of 2015 and end of 2017.

Although the framework agreement does not contain details concerning the number of vehicles to be purchased, it expresses the intent of the procurement authorities of Sweden and Norway to buy up to 2,000 military logistics vehicles during the 2014-2026 timeframe. As a result, the total order value of the joint procurement programme would exceed €1 billion.

A service agreement covering all of the vehicles supplied has also been signed. Covering an optional period of three decades, it could potentially mean over €1 billion in additional sales.

This new generation of vehicles will improve the transport and logistical capacity of the Swedish and Norwegian armed forces while simultaneously boosting their operational capabilities. Customized to meet the specific needs of both armies, a number of these vehicles will be equipped with protected cabs that provide the crew with optimum protection against mines, ballistic threats and shrapnel.

In order to further enhance crew survivability and combat effectiveness as well as the operational performance of the vehicles, they will be equipped with advanced communications and command technology and in some cases with remote control weapon stations mounted on the vehicle roof.

Headquartered in Munich, Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles GmbH is a joint venture of Rheinmetall AG (51%) and MAN Truck & Bus AG (49%).