Rheinmetall to Provide 57 Heavy Tractor Units for Bundeswehr’s Armored Vehicle Transport

Rheinmetall to Provide 57 Heavy Tractor Units for Bundeswehr’s Armored Vehicle Transport

(IN BRIEF) Rheinmetall has secured a contract from the German Bundeswehr to supply 57 heavy tractor units, known as “SaZgM 70t mil,” for transporting armored vehicles. The order, worth over €50 million, marks the conclusion of a framework contract signed in 2018. The HX81 tractor units, equipped with a powerful diesel engine, will enhance the Bundeswehr’s logistic capabilities. Rheinmetall has been a key supplier to the German armed forces, having delivered over 4,000 military trucks since 2018. The SaZgM 70t tractor unit, along with other Rheinmetall solutions, forms the logistic backbone of the Bundeswehr.

(PRESS RELEASE) DÜSSELDORF, 26-May-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — Rheinmetall AG (ETR: RHM), a German integrated technology group active in the automotive and defence industries, has been awarded a contract by the German Bundeswehr to supply an additional 57 heavy tractor units in the 70-tonne payload class. The trucks, known as “SaZgM 70t mil” in military terms, are valued at over €50 million, including VAT, and are scheduled for delivery between 2023 and 2024. These heavy-duty trucks will primarily be used by the German armed forces for transporting heavy armored vehicles such as the Leopard 2 main battle tank and the PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer.

This order concludes the framework contract signed in 2018, which covered the delivery of up to 137 SaZgM 70t mil trucks over a seven-year period. In total, Rheinmetall has already supplied 80 tractor units to the Bundeswehr under this agreement.

The Rheinmetall HX81 tractor units are equipped with a powerful eight-cylinder 680 hp diesel engine, allowing for a top speed of 89 km/h and the capability to climb gradients of 60 percent. The system has a Gross Train Weight of 130 tonnes. The HX81 shares the same driver’s cab as Rheinmetall’s UTF family of vehicles, and if required, the cab can be replaced with a protected version. The tractor unit is equipped with a Rotzler double-action winch system, providing a maximum tractive force of 40 tonnes for towing vehicles onto trailers.

The addition of these heavy tractor units significantly strengthens the logistic capabilities of the Bundeswehr, ensuring the operational effectiveness of combat units and enabling rapid response and sustainment in the field. The HX81 complements the Bundeswehr’s existing SLT heavy transport vehicle. In addition to the unprotected HX81, Rheinmetall also supplies the Mammut protected heavy transport vehicle, the UTF unprotected transport vehicle, and the WLS hook loading system.

Rheinmetall has been a trusted supplier to the Bundeswehr since 2018, having delivered over 4,000 military trucks. Together with the UTF and WLS, the SaZgM 70t tractor unit forms the logistic backbone of the German armed forces.

Media contact:

Oliver Hoffmann
Head of Press and Public Relations
Phone: +49 211 473-4748
Fax: +49 211 473-4157

SOURCE: RHEINMETALL AG