Rheinmetall's Keiler NG Demonstrates Demining Capabilities During Live Demonstration.

On August 14, 2024, Rheinmetall's latest innovation, the Keiler Next Generation (NG) armored tactical demining vehicle, showcased its capabilities during a live demonstration at the Bergen military training area. The event brought together around 100 international guests from the armed forces, procurement authorities, and the defense industry, who had the opportunity to observe the system's performance up close.
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The Keiler NG is designed for rapid and tactical clearance of minefields and other obstacles. (Picture source: Rheinmetall)

The Keiler NG is designed for rapid and tactical clearance of minefields and other obstacles. In the first part of the demonstration, the vehicle demonstrated its ability to quickly create corridors through minefields using the Pearson plough. This tool, over four meters wide, can clear mines at a speed of up to 250 meters per minute. The versatility of the Keiler NG was further highlighted by its ability to quickly replace the plough with a bulldozer blade, enabling the vehicle to overcome anti-tank obstacles, fill trenches, and create defensive positions when necessary.

The second part of the demonstration highlighted the rocket-assisted ‘Plofadder’ detonation cord system, a cutting-edge solution developed by Rheinmetall Denel Munition. This system can open a 160-meter-long and nine-meter-wide passage through minefields and other obstacles in a matter of minutes. The Keiler NG's two Plofadder systems enable efficient clearance of deep enemy barriers, firing in overlapping bursts to ensure complete demining.

In addition to its demining capabilities, the Keiler NG is equipped with several advanced features, including a magnetic signature duplicator that triggers second-generation mines before the plough reaches them. An integrated lane marking system ensures that cleared paths are marked for following forces, even in low visibility or nighttime conditions.

First presented to the public at the Eurosatory 2024 trade fair in Paris, the Keiler NG is also equipped with an integrated crane to ensure operational readiness, facilitating the loading and unloading of Plofadder ammunition boxes. For protection, the vehicle is armed with the ROSY rapid obscurant system and the remotely controlled Natter 12.7 weapon station.

The Keiler NG's two-person crew will also benefit from future upgrades, including remote-controlled deployment options and an active protection system designed for integration into digitized battlefields. The vehicle is built on the chassis of the Kodiak armored engineer vehicle, part of the Leopard 2 family, enhancing its agility and interoperability with existing systems. With a maximum speed of 65 km/h and the ability to cross trenches over 2.5 meters wide, the 63-ton Keiler NG is a valuable asset for any armored engineering unit.

The event underscored Rheinmetall's commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions to meet modern military challenges. The Keiler NG, with its combination of mobility, protection, and firepower, is poised to become a critical asset for armed forces worldwide.

The Keiler Next Generation (NG) armored tactical demining vehicle at Eurosatory 2024. (Picture source: Army Recognition)