Germany has placed an order with Rheinmetall for 23 Bergepanzer 3 Büffel armored recovery vehicles to replenish capabilities transferred to Ukraine. The contract, valued in the mid-hundreds of millions of euros, follows the German government’s decision to restore Bundeswehr recovery vehicle inventories after the donation of 21 Bergepanzer 2 and two Bergepanzer 3 systems to support Ukraine’s defense efforts.
The new vehicles will be delivered in the advanced A2 configuration, enhancing the German Armed Forces’ ability to recover damaged combat vehicles, conduct field repairs, and provide frontline support. To accelerate delivery schedules, Rheinmetall has already initiated production activities at its own expense. Deliveries are expected to begin next year and conclude in 2029.
Built on the Leopard 2 main battle tank chassis, the Bergepanzer 3 Büffel features a 270-degree rotating crane and can be equipped with a dozer blade for obstacle-clearing operations. The vehicle offers a lifting capacity of up to 30 tonnes and a towing force of 105 tonnes, supported by powerful primary and auxiliary winch systems. Operated by a crew of three, it is protected by armored steel construction and can be armed with a 7.62mm machine gun and a 76mm grenade launcher. Powered by a 1,500-horsepower MTU engine and Renk transmission, the recovery vehicle can exceed speeds of 60 km/h and has an operational range of approximately 500 kilometers.
