Bundeswehr To Acquire Hundreds Of Logistics Vehicles From Rheinmetall

The Bundeswehr has commissioned Rheinmetall to supply 568 logistics vehicles. These will include 349 UTF-trucks (unprotected transport vehicle) in 5t and 15t models, as well as 219 trucks with a swap-body system, 121 of which will have a protected driver's cab. The total value of both projects amounts to over €330m gross. The UTF-trucks are to be delivered in 2026, the swap-body trucks by November 2025. The budget committee of the German Parliament, the Bundestag, approved the funds on 18 December 2024. Thus Rheinmetall booked the orders in the fourth quarter of 2024.

The UTF-trucks are demands within the framework agreement concluded in July 2024 – the largest order in the history of the company in the field of logistical vehicles. It covers the delivery of up to 6,500 trucks worth up to €3.5bn gross. The framework agreement allows the Bundes­wehr to flexibly order additional quantities of the already intro­duced Unprotected Transport Vehicles UTF 5t and UTF 15t trucks over seven years. In addition, a new vehicle class will be introduced under the framework agreement: the 4x4 model UTF 3.5t. It has a high degree of commonality with the UTF-family.

In 2024, Rheinmetall delivered a record of 2,015 logistics vehicles, making a significant contribution to strengthening the Bundeswehr's logistical capabilities. This marked a major step forward in the modernisation of the Bundeswehr's truck fleet and the expansion of its logistical capacities. The vehicles to be delivered between now and 2024 include 1,715 swap-body systems, 250 unprotected transport vehicles and 50 semi-trailer units, ordered under existing framework agreements between the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) and Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles GmbH. The large quantity and rapid delivery impressively demonstrate the new era of the Bundeswehr’s procurement, underlining the importance of Rheinmetall as a reliable partner for the armed forces.

For various years, the UTF-family has been contributing substantially to the operational effectiveness of Bundeswehr logistics units and formations. In July of 2017, the Bundeswehr commissioned Rheinmetall MAN to supply its new ‘UTF mil gl family in the 5t and 15t payload classes’. The UTF has become a showcase project due to the use of flexible framework contracts for high volumes in military procurement. More than 6,000 HX-vehicles, including the swap-body systems and 70t semi-trailer units, have been delivered to the Bundeswehr since 2017. A large share of the added value of the swap-body system and UTFs – over 75% – is generated in Germany.

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