German army Bundeswehr inducts new IVECO unprotected ambulance to replace Unimog.

On December 20, 2022, a new vehicle for the Bundeswehr medical service was presented at the Bundeswehr Central Hospital in Koblenz. The carrier vehicle is based on an IVECO Eurocargo and has already proven itself as a civilian intensive care transport vehicle in the medical service. Mathias Erdman, Bundeswehr, reports.
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The IVECO unprotected ambulance corresponds to the DIN German Institute for Standardization EN European standard 1789 and is therefore also approved for civil patient transport (Picture source: Bundeswehr/Michael Laymann)

The IVECO vehicle is designed for a crew of three and is intended to replace the previous ambulances and mobile medical squads based on the two-ton Unimog. A total of 294 units are procured, of which 241 are intended for the medical service, 41 for the army and six for the navy. Between 50 and 70 units will be delivered in 2023.

With a permissible total mass of 15,000 kg and an output of 280 hp, the vehicle can also handle difficult terrain and enable fast transport. The maximum speed is over 80 km/h. The 6-cylinder diesel engine with Euro 6 CRE standard ensures a reliable and low-emission drive. Due to its complete off-road capability, the vehicle can also be used in areas that are difficult to access and thus offers valuable support in the various Bundeswehr operations.

The new vehicle is characterized by its modern body. From the defibrillator and emergency ventilators to the mobile, portable ultrasound device, everything that is required for patient care is available. A particular highlight is the fully automated stretcher table, which makes it possible to treat the wounded on all standard stretchers at ground level without any additional aids.

In addition, the vehicle is equipped with a wide range of communication options. This includes the BOS official radio for communication with civil rescue and disaster relief workers as well as the police, military radio and command equipment such as Tetrapol, the army command information system and satellite telephones.

According to Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ulrich Baumgärtner, Inspector of the Bundeswehr Medical Service, "The vehicle heralds a new era in patient transport". Thanks to the combination of modern technology and medical equipment, the vehicle offers optimal conditions for transporting the wounded and enables the medical staff to treat the patients quickly and effectively.

The stretcher table is fully automated and compatible with any civilian or military stretcher. Thus, one person alone can carry a wounded person into the vehicle  (Picture source: Bundeswehr/Michael Laymann)

The working surface covers 18m³ and is equipped with the most modern medical equipment (Picture source: Bundeswehr/Michael Laymann)