Bundeswehr Unveils Rheinmetall Kodiak as Next-Gen Combat Engineering Powerhouse in €295 Million Deal

Rheinmetall has achieved another significant milestone with its Kodiak armored engineer vehicle. The German Bundeswehr has granted the Düsseldorf-based technology firm an order for innovative combat engineer solutions. On April 14, 2021, the Budget Committee of the German Parliament ratified the initiative. The Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support, known as BAAINBw, has now finalized a contract with Rheinmetall for the production and delivery of 44 armored engineer vehicles, with a gross worth of approximately €295 million. The inaugural system is anticipated to leave the assembly line in 2023, with all deliveries expected to be concluded by 2029. Furthermore, the contract includes a variety of additional products and services related to logistics and training necessary for deployment and operational support, such as instructional courses and materials, along with documentation, measurement and testing instruments, spare components, and specialized tools.

Referred to in German as the Pionierpanzer 3 Kodiak, this vehicle is constructed on the Leopard 2 chassis. It is meticulously tailored to satisfy the requirements of contemporary combat engineers. Currently, over forty Kodiak armored engineer vehicles are operational globally, notably in Switzerland, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Singapore. Alongside the Bundeswehr, several other European and NATO countries have recently shown interest in this system. Moreover, Switzerland, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Singapore enhance their Leopard 2 fleets with the Büffel/Buffalo Bergepanzer 3 armored recovery vehicle – another addition to Rheinmetall’s family of Leopard 2-based combat vehicles.

Equipped with a robust 1,100-kW engine, the vehicle’s well-engineered chassis guarantees exceptional maneuverability in alignment with the Leopard 2 A7V. Due to its superior off-road performance, the Kodiak is fully capable of keeping pace with today’s agile combat formations. Additionally, a newly developed force protection package positions it among the most well-defended systems in its category.

A remarkable attribute of the Kodiak is its three-part excavator arm centrally positioned at the front of the vehicle. This innovative arm design allows the crew to have an enhanced view during excavation tasks. It also enables the vehicle to function in restricted spaces while granting maximum reach with minimal dependency on the vehicle’s orientation. This streamlines operations, subsequently enhancing the safety of the crew. The high-performance articulated excavator arm can also lift and place heavy loads. Additionally, a wide array of interchangeable tools is accessible that can be operated from the safety of the combat compartment.

The Kodiak also includes a bulldozer blade with adjustable cutting and tilting angles. If necessary, all of the interchangeable tools – including optional mine-clearing implements not procured by the Bundeswehr – can be placed onto multi-hook lift changing pallets, a standard piece of Bundeswehr toolkit.
Positioned at the front of the vehicle, the adaptable winch system is outfitted with two independent capstan winches. This setup ensures maximum flexibility and reliability during operations. A single soldier can swiftly maneuver the relatively lightweight winch cables to the target without the need for specialized tools, significantly reducing time spent outside the well-protected combat compartment.

During daylight and in low visibility scenarios, six cameras mounted on the excavator system, bulldozer blade, and both ends of the vehicle assist the three-person crew while moving or performing combat engineering tasks. Crew members can view critical camera feeds on individual monitors. The cameras facilitate the changing of tools and allow for a comprehensive range of combat engineering functions without exiting the vehicle. If needed, an auxiliary power unit can supply electricity when the main engine is off, simultaneously powering the heating and air conditioning system for the combat compartment.

For self-protection, the Kodiak is outfitted with an advanced 76mm smoke/obscurant grenade launcher and a remotely operated “Natter” weapon station. Developed by Rheinmetall, this weapon station can be armed with either a machine gun (7.62mm x 51 or 12.7mm x 99 (.50 BMG) or a 40mm automatic grenade launcher.

In addition to its core role as a primary combat engineering asset, the Kodiak can also be deployed in disaster response scenarios. Last year, the Dutch armed forces utilized the Kodiak along with the Bergepanzer 3 Büffel/Buffalo for combating forest and wildfires along the German-Dutch border in early summer.