Image: Rheinmetall
The Bundeswehr has ordered 56 additional Elefant 2 heavy-duty transporters from Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV). The contract is worth approximately EUR 60.5 million gross. RMMV will deliver the vehicles across 2026 and 2027, as per a recent press statement.
Framework Contract Expanded
The order extends a framework agreement covering up to 137 vehicles. The Bundeswehr initially ordered 32 Elefant 2 units under this deal. That framework ran for seven years and carried a total value of EUR 122 million gross. It included options for further vehicles, originally due for delivery by early 2025. Rising demand has now prompted this fresh extension.
Technical Specifications
The HX81 Elefant 2 runs on an eight-cylinder diesel engine delivering 680 hp. Its four-wheel-drive design reaches a top speed of 89 km/h. The lorry can climb gradients of up to 60 per cent. Its technically permissible gross combination weight reaches 135 tonnes. The vehicle shares its driver’s cabin with the UTF family. It also carries a twin-winch system from Rotzler, with each winch offering 20 tonnes of pulling force.
Strengthening Germany’s Logistics Backbone
The HX81 Elefant 2 adds fresh capacity to the Bundeswehr’s heavy-lift transport fleet. This unarmoured vehicle complements the armoured Mammut transporter, also built by RMMV. Moving heavy combat vehicles remains a core military capability. This matters greatly given Germany’s role as NATO’s logistical hub for collective defence. The expanded order strengthens that backbone as alliance demands continue to grow.
Read more on Rheinmetall’s website













