The Dutch armed forces have begun to introduce new logistics vehicles into the force. In total, more than 2,800 trucks will be delivered by 2026. With 72 driving school vehicles with 4×4 chassis already handed over, operator training has already begun.
The new Scania Gryphus vehicles are derived from the Scania XT, which came onto the market in 2017. The new vehicle will be delivered in three variants.
The standard version, of which the Dutch are getting 2,500, is the all-wheel drive 8×8 truck with a payload of ten tons. The vehicles are equipped with camouflage and infrared lighting, radios and antennas, electronic defense measures and mounts for machine weapons. Load carriers or containers are used as a structure as required, sometimes supplemented by a mobile crane. The ten-ton truck is powered by a 370 kW Euro 6 diesel engine. Only for this variant, 185 armored cabins will be procured from Centigon, which can be exchanged for the unarmored cabins if necessary and protect the crews from fire and blasts. In addition to the configuration for standard transport tasks, the vehicles are equipped as command post vehicles, workshop vehicles and fuel transporters, among other things.
The lightweight 6×6 variant also has a payload of ten tons. Special military equipment is missing. The vehicles are used for driving school and ground transportation at military airports.
The heavyweight is the 6×6 tractor with a maximum payload of 15 tons. The vehicle is equipped with a fifth wheel coupling that can be used to transport semi-trailers.
The smallest variant with 4×4 chassis only has a payload of five tonnes. Load carriers and containers are available for transport tasks. The Marines receive vehicles modified for wading in salt and fresh water up to 1.5 m deep. This makes amphibious operations and missions with landing craft possible.
The main user of the Scania Gryphus is the Dutch army, which receives around 2,400 vehicles. The air force will receive around 270 trucks and the navy 130. Additional vehicles are planned for the military police and the support command.
Gerhard Heiming
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