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In addition to the medium-heavy armored recovery vehicles, about which the Europäische Sicherheit & Technik andEuropean Security and DefenceAs previously reported, the Norwegian Defense Material Agency (“Forsvarsmateriell”) has signed contracts with the German vehicle specialist FFG Flensburger Fahrzeugbau GmbH (FFG) for the delivery of eight Armored Engineer Vehicles (AEV) and three Armored Recovery Vehicles (ARV). ) signed. This was announced on the Defense Material Agency website on June 30th.

The orders come as part of the augmentation of two existing Norwegian contracts with FFG for six vehicles of each type, bringing the total order size to 14 AEV and nine ARV and total order values ​​of around EUR 80 million and EUR 29 million respectively. Delivery is expected in 2026-2027.

Bei drei der AEVs und einem der ARVs handelt es sich um Ersatzbeschaffungen für Fahrzeuge, die der Ukraine gespendet wurden. Die übrigen Fahrzeuge werden zur Verstärkung der gepanzerten Unterstützungsfahrzeuge der norwegischen Armee dienen.

The vehicles commissioned are the Wisent 2 AEV and the Wisent 2 ARV. The Wisent 2 is a modular armored support platform based on the chassis of the Leopard 2 main battle tank. It can be configured as an AEV, ARV, mine sweeper, or armored bridgelayer. The modular design enables a chassis to be reconfigured in less than five hours, e.g. B. from an ARV to a bridge-laying tank.

Als AEV hat der Wisent 2 die Aufgabe, Armeeeinheiten bei der Räumung oder Schaffung von Hindernissen, einschließlich Minenfeldern, zu unterstützen und schnell Kampfstellungen zu errichten. Zu diesem Zweck ist der Wisent 2 AEV mit einem Planierschild und einem Gelenkarmbagger ausgestattet. Das Planierschild kann durch ein Minenräumsystem ersetzt werden.

As an armored recovery vehicle, the Wisent is designed to recover and tow away stuck or damaged vehicles. For this purpose, the Wisent ARV is equipped with a slewing crane with a capacity of 32 tons and a winch with a capacity of 40 tons.

The Wisent 2 platform has a maximum weight of 69.6 tons and is powered by a 1,100 kW multi-fuel engine. The standard armor corresponds to NATO STANAG 4569 level 5, ie it offers protection against armor-piercing 30 mm ammunition and 155 mm artillery fragments. A modular add-on armor can provide additional protection as needed. In addition, the platform provides NBC protection and mine protection for the crew and is prepared for the installation of various types of weapon stations.

Using the Leopard 2 chassis as the basis for the Wisent offers Leopard 2 users, such as Norway, logistical advantages as a number of spare parts and service/repair procedures are identical. In addition, the Wisent 2 has the same tactical mobility as the Leopard 2, allowing it to keep up with armored units in the field.

Thomas Nielsen

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