German army awards FFG contract to modernize Wiesel 1 fleet.

The German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has awarded Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft mbH (FFG) with a modernization contract for the Wiesel 1 vehicle fleet. Representatives from BAAINBw and FFG signed the contract on November 19 in Koblenz.

Wiesel 1 in Afghanistan in 2004 (Picture source: Bundeswehr)

This service life extension contract (NDV) is for a total of 181 vehicles, which will ensure that the vehicles will remain in service beyond 2030. The focus of the NDV is on chassis improvements, ballistic and mine protection and the integration of modern communications and a new weapons system.

The signature was preceded by an extensive bidding phase and negotiations. "We are proud of this result - this contract is an important project for us and at the same time a confirmation of the good work of the FFG during the development of the NDV measures," said Helge Carstensen, Director of the Military Programs Division at FFG. "This will further strengthen our position as a reliable supplier to the German Armed Forces and will once again prove our ability to deliver on schedule and on budget." On behalf of the German Federal Armed Forces, FFG has developed verified measures to extend the Wiesel’s use throughout in 2018 and 2019.

The project covers the following Wiesel 1 variants: Wiesel 1 Reconnaissance, Wiesel 1 Machine gun and Wiesel 1 MELLS (replacement of the TOW as main armament and integration of the weapon system MELLS are also components of the NDV). In addition, FFG will supply 15 conversion kits for driving school vehicles. The project is scheduled for completion in 2022.

FFG has more than 55 years of experience in the repair of military tracked and wheeled vehicles and offers a unique level of vertical integration in Germany. Based on these decades of experience, FFG has developed and successfully marketed innovative upgrades and NDV measures for various vehicle systems, domestically and internationally.