Algeria potentially behind Fuchs 2 vehicle components deal with Rheinmetall.

In a development that deepens its international collaborations, Rheinmetall recently confirmed a substantial order for the supply of components for the production of Fuchs 2 wheeled armored vehicles. On January 29, 2024, the company announced that an "international partner," believed by some analysts to be likely Algeria, had placed this significant order.
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Ten years ago, the German Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy confirmed approval for the transfer of production equipment to Algeria for the manufacturing of Fuchs 2 vehicles (Picture source: Rheinmetall )

Recorded in December 2023, this order, amounting to hundreds of millions of euros, reflects the continued confidence of international partners in Rheinmetall's expertise. The delivery of the kits, intended for both production and conversion, will begin this year and conclude in 2028, marking a significant step in the cooperation between Rheinmetall and its partners.

Ten years ago, the German Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy confirmed approval for the transfer of production equipment to Algeria for the manufacturing of Fuchs 2 vehicles. While the first batch of 54 Fuchs 2s for Algeria originated from the German production line, there was a gradual transfer of production to Algeria, which at the time required 980 Fuchs 2 vehicles. This contributes to the overall business between Rheinmetall and Algeria, which, according to previous reports, is valued at 2.7 billion euros, thus marking one of the group's most significant foreign orders.

The mention of Fuchs 2 vehicle exports from the partner country suggests that Algeria is more likely to be this partner, though some believe Ukraine could be a possibility. However, the latter is considered less likely to export the armored vehicles it produces while the country is at war with invading Russian forces.

Germany has been supplying weapons to Algeria since the 2010s, with contracts worth several billion dollars for frigates, trucks, torpedoes, and naval helicopters. In 2014, Rheinmetall and project developer Ferrostaal Industrial Group signed an agreement with Algeria for nearly 1,000 armored personnel carriers and a factory. This agreement was part of a set of arms contracts valued at 10 billion euros. It also included the delivery of two frigates by the industrial conglomerate ThyssenKrupp and the production of military vehicles by Daimler.

The Fuchs 6×6 wheeled armored vehicle has been in service with the Bundeswehr for nearly half a century, and around 1,800 Fuchs vehicles have been built to date. The armed forces of about a dozen countries deploy various versions of the vehicle, used as an armored personnel carrier, mobile command post, field ambulance, or NBC reconnaissance vehicle. The Bundeswehr has deployed several versions of the Fuchs 1 since 1979, sending over a hundred of these vehicles to Afghanistan and elsewhere.

The Fuchs 2 is an advanced version of the Fuchs 1, offering a larger interior, more powerful engine, updated chassis, improved modern protection, and a digital electrical system. The Bundeswehr has a total of about 940 Fuchs vehicles in its inventory, 272 of which are Fuch 1A8s, offering substantially better protection against mines and improvised explosive devices compared to earlier models, as well as enhanced protection against ballistic threats.

Key modifications in the Fuchs 1A8 include structural changes to the hull, new seats and seat suspension systems in the combat compartment to decouple them from the hull floor, reinforced wheel housings, doors, and window mountings, additional storage boxes, and reinforcement of the vehicle's exterior.

Defense News March 2024