Eurosatory 2024: Rheinmetall Enhances Combat Engineering with Next-Gen Keiler Armored Breaching Vehicle.

Rheinmetall has unveiled its latest innovation, the Keiler Next Generation (NG) tactical armored breaching vehicle, at the Eurosatory 2024 defense expo. The Keiler NG is designed to quickly clear obstacles in combat, addressing the renewed importance of obstacle warfare as evidenced by recent conflicts, including the ongoing war in Ukraine.
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Rheinmetall Keiler Next Generation (NG) tactical armored breaching vehicle  (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The Keiler NG stands out with its integration of advanced technologies aimed at breaching formidable defenses. It features a comprehensive suite of tools including a mine plow, a rocket-assisted mine-clearing line charge, and a magnetic signature duplicator. These components enable the Keiler NG to navigate and clear heavily mined areas and other significant barriers across various terrains.

Equipped with the Pearson mine plow, the vehicle excels on unstable grounds with an impressive sweep speed of up to 250 meters per minute. For harder surfaces, the Keiler NG utilizes the "Plofadder" MICLIC system developed by Rheinmetall Denel Munition. This system can create a breach 160 meters long and 9 meters wide within minutes, effectively allowing forces to rapidly advance through dense minefields.

The operational flexibility of the Keiler NG is further enhanced by a quick-exchange front-end interface, allowing for an easy switch between the mine plow and a dozer blade. This feature enables the vehicle not only to clear mines but also to fill in trenches, remove anti-tank obstacles, and construct defensive positions as needed. Additionally, the vehicle includes an integrated crane for independent logistical support on the battlefield.

For self-protection, the Keiler NG is equipped with the ROSY rapid obscurant system and the Natter 12.7 Remotely Controlled Weapon Station, ensuring crew safety under threat. The vehicle accommodates a two-person crew and is designed with future upgrades in mind, including remote control capabilities, an active protection system, and integration into the digitized battlefield.

Rheinmetall's presentation of the Keiler NG at Eurosatory 2024 marks a concrete step in battlefield engineering vehicles, offering armies around the world a new tool to enhance their tactical capabilities in the face of modern combat challenges.