Ukraine orders additional 20 Rheinmetall Caracal air assault vehicles.

Ukraine has sealed a new deal with Rheinmetall for the purchase of 20 additional Caracal light air assault vehicles, supported by the German government's initiative for capability enhancement.
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Caracal light air assault vehicle (Picture source: Rheinmetall)

Following the initial delivery of five Caracals in November 2023, as part of the 'winter package', an announcement was made by Rheinmetall, the lead contractor, at the Enforce Tac defense exhibition, held in Nuremberg, Germany, from February 26 to 28, 2024. These vehicles are designed for superior terrain agility and will be deployed by Ukrainian special forces for effective operations.

Rheinmetall stated that the demand for the Caracal, including orders from Germany, the Netherlands, and now Ukraine, highlights the importance of cross-border collaboration in strengthening global security. This partnership between Rheinmetall, Mercedes Benz, and ACS has led to the creation of an advanced military vehicle, the Caracal, merging the robust platform of Mercedes's G-model series 464 with a versatile and scalable design by ACS.

The Caracal is a light-air assault vehicle. With compact dimensions, it measures between 4.35 and 4.7 meters in length, 1.81 meters in width, and 1.85 meters in height, making it suitable for a variety of military operations. The gross vehicle weight is 4,900 kg, but it has been designed to be air transportable with a weight reduced to 4,400 kg or less, allowing for rapid deployment by air, notably with the capability to transport up to two Caracals inside or under helicopters such as the CH-47F and CH-53K.

It has a payload capacity of up to 2,000 kg. In terms of performance, the Caracal can reach a maximum road speed of 130 km/h, climb gradients of 60%, and maneuver on side slopes of 30%. It can ford depths up to 700 mm, climb obstacles of 330 mm, and cross trenches of 500 mm, thanks to features such as ABS and ESP, which enhance its ability to operate in challenging conditions.

The Caracal is powered by a Mercedes-Benz 6-cylinder diesel engine compliant with EURO III standards, delivering a power output of 183 kW (249 hp) and a torque of 600 Nm between 1,400 and 2,800 rpm. The transmission is provided by a Mercedes-Benz NAG3 9G-tronic, contributing to its agility and performance.

The Caracal is available in several variants, tailored for specific missions such as personnel transport, reconnaissance, ambulance, command post, as well as combat engineer group/material transport. Its modular design also allows for the integration of optional protection kits, offering ballistic and mine protection to increase the safety of the crew and passengers in hostile environments. This combination of features makes the Caracal a suitable choice for modern forces that require a versatile vehicle, capable of meeting various operational needs while offering high protection and mobility.

Rheinmetall is responsible for the final assembly of the Caracal, including military modifications specific to the role, offering the flexibility to produce these vehicles locally in customer countries. This ensures tailored solutions in appropriate volumes and logistical support throughout the vehicle's lifecycle.