German Military Secures 57 Heavy Duty Tractors from Rheinmetall

Rheinmetall has secured a contract from the German Bundeswehr to deliver an additional 57 heavy-duty tractor units in the 70-ton payload category. Referred to as the “SaZgM 70t mil” in the terminology of the German armed forces, these unarmored heavy trucks are slated for shipment in 2023 and 2024. The complete worth of this contract exceeds €50 million, inclusive of value-added tax. The German military primarily utilizes these vehicles for the transport of heavy armored machinery such as the Leopard 2 main battle tank and the PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer.

The freshly awarded order is the final call-off from a framework agreement established in 2018 for the provisioning of up to 137 SaZgM 70t mil trucks. Under this framework arrangement, which has a duration of seven years, eighty tractor units have already been ordered and handed over to the Bundeswehr.

Rheinmetall’s HX81 tractor units are equipped with an eight-cylinder 680 hp diesel engine. This allows the high-mobility, all-wheel-drive vehicle to achieve a maximum speed of 89 km/h and tackle gradients of 60 percent. The Gross Train Weight of the system is 130 tonnes. The HX81 tractor unit features the same driver’s compartment as Rheinmetall’s UTF series of vehicles. If required, the cab can be swapped for a protected variant. It includes a Rotzler double action winch system, with a cumulative maximum tractive force of 40 tonnes, empowering the all-terrain tractor unit to tow vehicles onto the trailer.

Significant contribution to enhancing the Bundeswehr’s logistical capabilities

Logistical vehicles are essential for ensuring the operational efficiency of combat units, facilitating quick responses and ongoing support in the field. The ability to transport heavy combat equipment is crucial for national and alliance defense. The HX81 augments the Bundeswehr’s SLT heavy transport undertaking. Alongside the unprotected HX81, Rheinmetall also provides the Mammut protected heavy transport vehicle, in addition to the UTF unarmored transport vehicle and the WLS hook loading system.

Since 2018, Rheinmetall has delivered over 4,000 military trucks to the Bundeswehr. In conjunction with the UTF and WLS, the SaZgM 70t tractor unit constitutes the logistical backbone of the Bundeswehr.