Home Europe Rheinmetall secures contract to supply 57 heavy tractor units for Bundeswehr

Rheinmetall secures contract to supply 57 heavy tractor units for Bundeswehr

Photo: Rheinmetall

Rheinmetall has secured an order worth over €50 million from the German Bundeswehr for 57 “SaZgM 70t mil” heavy tractor units in the 70-ton payload class.

This is the last order under a framework contract signed in 2018, securing the delivery of up to 137 SaZgM 70t mil trucks for the German armed forces.

As part of the 7-year framework agreement, eighty tractor units have been ordered and delivered to the Bundeswehr. The delivery of the new batch of unarmored heavy-duty trucks is set to take place in 2023 and 2024, according to the company.

Rheinmetall’s HX81 tractor units feature an eight-cylinder 680 hp diesel engine, providing the high-mobility all-wheel-drive truck with a top speed of 89 km/h and the capability to ascend gradients of 60 percent.

With a Gross Train Weight of 130 tons, the HX81 shares its driver’s cab with Rheinmetall’s UTF family of vehicles, allowing for the option of a protected cab if needed.

Equipped with a Rotzler double action winch system, capable of exerting a maximum tractive force of 40 tons, the versatile tractor unit enables efficient vehicle towing onto the trailer in various terrains.

Logistic vehicles are critical for combat units, ensuring rapid response and sustenance in the field, especially in transporting heavy combat vehicles for national defense.

Rheinmetall’s HX81 complements the Bundeswehr’s SLT heavy transport vehicle, alongside the Mammut protected vehicle, UTF unprotected transport vehicle, and WLS hook loading system.

The company says it has delivered over 4,000 military trucks to the German armed forces since 2018.