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Delivery of Wolf Armored Trucks to Belgian Army on Track for 2025.
On October 1, 2024, the Belgian Defense Ministry announced that the production of Wolf-type armored trucks could soon resume, with the delivery of all 199 vehicles expected by 2025. This announcement marks a step forward in a project that recently faced challenges due to financial difficulties encountered by Jankel Armouring Limited, the British supplier of the Fox and Wolf wheeled vehicles used by the Belgian army.
The LTTV, known as "Wolf," is designed to carry eight fully equipped soldiers in its rear compartment, alongside a driver and vehicle commander (Picture source: ArmyRecognition)
The LTTV, known as "Wolf," is designed to carry eight fully equipped soldiers in its rear compartment, alongside a driver and vehicle commander. With an empty weight of 9.2 tons, the vehicle can reach up to 10.8 tons in service configuration for paratrooper units.
The transmission typically operates in automatic mode but can switch to manual for specialized off-road conditions or in case of an automatic mode failure, providing versatile operational capabilities. The LTTV also boasts a theoretical range of 1,200 km, making it suitable for long-duration missions.
Earlier this year, Jankel, which also manufactures the Fox RRV (Rapid Reaction Vehicle) used by the Belgian Special Operations Group, faced critical financial issues, initiating a judicial restructuring process on March 8 to resolve its financial situation.
This raised concerns about the company’s ability to fulfill its 2018 commitment to the Belgian army, involving a €67 million contract for 199 light troop transport vehicles (LTTV) under the "Wolf" designation. These vehicles are intended to replace aging Unimog models, contributing to enhanced transport and logistical capabilities within the Belgian armed forces. After securing a 2015 contract to supply the Belgian Ministry of Defense with over 100 Fox Rapid Reaction Vehicles (RRVs), Jankel obtained a second major contract to deliver a new fleet of specialized tactical vehicles under the LTTV program.
Jankel’s engineers developed the LTTV to offer modular, mission-adaptable functionality through interchangeable mission modules that allow configuration changes based on operational needs (Picture source: Army Recognition)
Jankel’s engineers developed the LTTV to offer modular, mission-adaptable functionality through interchangeable mission modules that allow configuration changes based on operational needs. The platform is equipped with various military subsystems, including a removable ballistic protection kit, a roll-over protection system (ROPS), weapon mounts, and communications setups. This modular design ensures full interoperability with the Fox RRV fleet, enhancing compatibility across the Belgian army’s vehicle inventory. In terms of protection, the LTTV includes an armored floor, bullet-resistant front windshields with independent panels, and additional removable protection kits (RPK) available for cabin doors and the cargo area, offering enhanced security depending on mission requirements.
A key turning point occurred on June 30, 2017, when the Belgian Defense Ministry approved the tender process for equipping special operations forces with 199 new armored LTTVs, intended not only for the Special Operations Group but also for paratrooper units. These vehicles will replace the Unimog 1350L models that have been in service since the mid-1990s, with the contract itself contributing to the continued commercial viability of the Unimog model.
In June 2024, another significant step was taken when NP Aerospace (NPA), a Canadian-based company, partially acquired Jankel’s activities, ensuring the continuity of its contracts. This acquisition, effective since June 4 following several financial and security audits, allowed NP Aerospace to integrate the production and support operations for the Fox and Wolf vehicles. On September 19, the Belgian Defense Ministry confirmed that the contracts for the Fox and Wolf models had been officially transferred to NP Aerospace, ensuring that the vehicle delivery program would proceed for completion by 2025.