The Bundeswehr is planning to arm itself with modern tanks for billions of euros. Rheinmetall could make a profit - but faces tough competition.
Düsseldorf/Berlin - There are several trouble spots globally and for Rheinmetall, business is going more than satisfactorily in the course of upgrading a number of national defenses. Now the Rhineland-based company wants to secure the next mega deal in its home country of Germany: The company is applying for a lucrative contract to supply the Bundeswehr with new military reconnaissance vehicles. In the meantime, another deal appears to have suffered defeat.
According to
Handelsblatt
, the defense company has made an offer to the Ministry of Defense to replace the Fennek models that have been in service for almost 20 years. If Rheinmetall were to win the contract, between three and four billion euros would reportedly flow into its coffers.
New tanks for the Bundeswehr? Rheinmetall stands to gain several billion
By 2028, the fleet is to be replaced with new reconnaissance tanks of a type that is already in use elsewhere for the Bundeswehr: it is the “Fuchs”, which has been modernized several times and has so far been used primarily as a troop transport. The first models produced could enter the Bundeswehr's inventory as early as 2026.
According to the information, it is possible that the original version of the tender was adjusted to make the deal more lucrative for bidders such as the German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall: It includes the purchase of a total of 252 vehicles, of which only 92 are initially said to have been firmly agreed and the Rest on option.
New tanks for the Bundeswehr: several deals tendered
With reference to internal circles, it is pointed out that there are now hundreds of new reconnaissance tanks, although some of them will be passed on to “friendly states”. The decision is expected to be made this year.
It is not certain that Rheinmetall will win the contract: a consortium of arms manufacturers General Dynamics (USA) and Steyr (Austria) has also allegedly applied for the delivery; the Fennek vehicles would then be replaced by models of the “Pandur Evolution” type.
Meanwhile, there is confusion about another suspected tank deal between the Bundeswehr and Rheinmetall: It is about the award of a no less voluminous deal for the successor to the Fuchs troop transports mentioned: Because their replacement is also overdue and a replacement is needed.
Troop transport for Germany: Rheinmetall is in danger of going empty-handed
According to
Bloomberg
, Rheinmetall has now secured the follow-up delivery of Fuchs Evo models, but the truth of this is disputed by several parties. According to
Bild
, the deal goes to the competition instead: The Finnish defense company Patria is planning to produce around 900 vehicles for the Bundeswehr in collaboration with Defense Service Logistics (DSL, part of KNDS) and Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft (FFG).
The magazine
Schlacht&Technik
had previously reported that the consortium had secured the lucrative deal due to cost reasons. What’s special: Manufacturer Patria promises an impressive service life of 30 years for the variable “Patria 6x6 AWV”. For the successor, Patria previously discussed joint production with Rheinmetall, reports
T-Online.
However, the two arms giants were reportedly unable to reach an agreement.
Even if these two tank deals fail, Rheinmetall is otherwise flying high.
(PF)