Rheinmetall to deliver another 56 heavy duty transporters

Another 56 units of Rheinmetall’s RMMV HX81 Elefant 2 heavy duty transporter will join the German Army. Photo: Rheinmetall

Increased demand precipitated the Bundeswehr’s (German Army) order for another 56 units of the Elefant 2 heavy duty transporters from manufacturer Rheinmetall.

Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV) will deliver the vehicles in 2026 and 2027 in a contract worth €60.5 million.

The latest order follows on from the framework contract awarded in 2018 for as many as137 units, 32 of which were subsequently ordered. The total contract value was €122 million with delivery by early 2025.

Key capability

The HX81 Elefant 2 has a 680 hp eight-cylinder diesel engine, helping the four axle, all wheel drive truck to reach a maximum of 89 km/h. Gradeability is 60 per cent. “The technically permissible gross combination weight is 135 tonnes,” Rheinmetall said.

Elefant 2 has the familiar driver’s cabin from the UTF series trucks. Also fitted is a Rotzler twin-winch system, each one offering a maximum line pull of 20 tonnes.

As part of the Bundeswehr’s heavy-lift transport (SLT) fleet Elefant 2 transports heavy combat vehicles loaded on multi-axle trailers. It is a key capability, Rheinmetall said, “particularly in view of Germany’s role as a logistical hub in NATO’s collective defence.”