Germany Rheinmetall to supply armoured cab for Liebherr crane vehicles German army.

Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH, the global market leader in mobile crane systems, has awarded Rheinmetall an order for protected driver’s cabs and crane cabs for a new generation of Bundeswehr crane vehicles.

Liebherr-Werk Ehingentruck truck with carne and armoured cabin. (Source Liebherr-Werk Ehingentruck)

Starting in 2018, Rheinmetall will be supplying a total of 71 protected driver’s cabs and crane operator cabs for 38 newly developed G-LTM protected mobile cranes, plus another 33 for the equally new G-BKF protected recovery crane vehicle. The total value of the orders is in the double-digit million-euro range. Delivery will be complete by 2021.

The driver’s cab protects the crew from ballistic threats as well as landmine and IED blasts. It also features an NBC filtration system. The crane cab shields the crane operator protection from ballistic fire during crane operations. Both cabins for the G-LTM and G-BKF are identical in design.

In a number of respects, this order is of great significance for Rheinmetall. It is yet another OEM manufacturer being supplied with integrated protection solutions. Moreover, the project offers an outstanding example of cooperation between the private sector and Germany’s Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw). Thanks to integrated verification management, the development cycle was very short: even though the project began in 2013, the demonstrator version was completed in 2016. Series production and deliveries to Bundeswehr is set to commence in 2018.

In late June, Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH received a $150 million Euro order from the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) to supply 71 armored cranes.

The order focuses on equipment that protects its passengers and includes 33 G-BKF armored recovery cranes and 38 G-LTM 1090-4.2 mobile cranes with armored driver and crane cabs.

Liebherr-Werk Ehingen worked with Rheinmetall, the leading European supplier of military equipment, on the armored cabs. The cabs protect the crew from ballistic, mine, and IED threats, and they also feature an NBC ventilation system. The superstructure cabs protect the crane operator from ballistic threats during crane operations. The two cabins are identical for the G-LTM and G-BKF vehicles.