The Bundeswehr, Germany’s armed forces, has awarded Rheinmetall a contract for 568 logistics vehicles valued at $342 million. The order includes 349 unprotected transport trucks in 5-ton and 15-ton models, as well as 219 trucks equipped with swap-body systems, some of which will feature protected driver cabs. Rheinmetall said deliveries of the swap-body trucks are expected to begin in November, followed by the unprotected transport vehicles in 2026.
This contract is part of a larger framework agreement established in July 2024, with a potential value of up to $3.6 billion, making Rheinmetall’s largest logistical vehicle order to date. The framework allows for the flexible ordering of up to 6,500 trucks over a seven-year period and also introduces a new 4×4 UTF 3.5-ton model to the German fleet.
According to Rheinmetall, Germany’s unprotected transport vehicles and swap-body trucks — known as Wechselladersysteme in German — are based on the HX family of vehicles developed by Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles, designed specifically for military operations and challenging terrains. Since 2017, Rheinmetall has delivered over 6,000 HX family vehicles to the Bundeswehr under similar framework contracts, with a record delivery of 2,015 logistical vehicles in 2024 alone, including the WLS and other types of transport vehicles.
The HX family is also in service with the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Hungary and Denmark.
In addition to logistical vehicles, Berlin has previously contracted Rheinmetall for new 120 mm kinetic energy tank ammunition and unguided 70 mm practice rockets under a potential $109.4 million framework contract.