The first three pre-series prototypes were delivered and qualified technically and tactically in an operational test. The delivery of another 31 vehicles will be completed until 2013.

Air-portable and multi-faceted deployment

As all other vehicles of the MUNGO family of air-portable vehicles, with its small size and low overall weight the MUNGO 2 Multi-purpose was specifically developed for transportation on a CH-53 transport helicopter. With its universal hydraulics and transport system this multi-purpose version is particularly suitable for the mission-specific transport of munitions, fuel, maintenance and NBC decontamination equipment.

A quick-change system for front mounting implements additionally enables the deployment of engineering systems. With a payload of up to 1.5 tons the MUNGO 2 Multi-purpose can additionally transport supply or armament in trailer operations.

Specifically improved for military missions

Tailored specifically to the requirements of highly-mobile air-portable forces and built on the system criteria of the MUNGO-family, the MUNGO 2 Multi-purpose additionally convinces through a chassis optimized in continuous improvement for special missions, for example in Afghanistan. In addition, the vehicle is perfectly protected against ballistic, mine and IED threats. Fully armoured and separated from the chassis, the floor provides along with a safety cell maximum protection for the two-headed crew.

Until now KMW has delivered more than 400 MUNGO in the three different versions – troop transporters, multi-purpose vehicles and large space cabins – to the German Army.

The vice president of the BWB, Reinhard Schütte, and KMW COO Jürgen Weber, signed a corresponding contract in Koblenz today. KMW will deliver the vehicles to the army by November 2011. Shortly after they will be at the disposal of the Bundeswehr in Afghanistan.

“With a repeat order such as this one, the German Army emphasizes its trust in Krauss-Maffei Wegmann as a trustworthy partner which reacts quickly, flexibly and reliably to the demands of its customers,” said Jürgen Weber after the signing of the contract.

DINGO 2 – the best protection for dangerous missions

Meanwhile, almost 1000 DINGOs in different versions, from ambulances over NBC reconnaissance vehicles and mobile command posts to reconnaissance and patrol vehicles, are in service with six European nations.

The high level of protection has proven its worth during numerous terrorist assaults and has steadily protected the lives of the crew. The vehicles ordered offer the soldiers of the German Army the best protection available as well as highest mobility and vehicle payload, even under extreme conditions.

In order to be able to respond quickly and flexibly to changed demands on missions, the DINGO 2 will also come equipped with a light remote weapon station (RWS) of the type FLW 100/FLW 200. The vehicle crew is thereby capable of operating the weapon station precisely and effectively from within the protected interior of the vehicle, even at high speeds or in rough terrain.

An exterior identifying feature of the recently ordered DINGOs is the new hardtop at the rear of the vehicle, which replaces the common canvas cover of the storage space.

At IDEX 2011 Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) will exhibit its state-of-the-art competence in combat systems and highly protected vehicles. Experience the KMW exhibition site and numerous stands which we jointly present with our industrial partners.

As a true highlight the latest version of the LEOPARD-family, the LEOPARD 2A7+, will be displayed for the first time in hardware at this year’s IDEX.

Now with 16 user states, no other western battle tank is in operation with so many armed forces. KMW will be exhibiting the LEOPARD 2 A6 on stand B 30 in hall 8, on what is known as Deutsche Strasse (German Street).

Come to know the new standard in technology and design In addition, the extremely agile 4x4 FENNEK is on show in the version of a forward artillery observer.

Further hardware displays are jointly presented with Rheinmetall Defence. The next generations highly protected 4x4 AMPV Jeep, the 8x8 BOXER and, together with GDSBS, the fully autonomous and remote controlled 155 mm artillery system DONAR.

Visitors to the KMW stand will also be able to obtain detailed information about other products. For example, there will be in-depth product presentations and films, as well as authentic models of vehicles such as the IFV PUMA armoured personnel carrier, the Armoured Howitzer 2000, the BOXER Multi-Role Armoured Vehicle and the highly protected life-saver DINGO 2 to be seen at the stand.

See KMW at the IDEX 2011 in the German pavilion, stand number: 08-C30.

Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG leads the European market for armoured wheeled and tracked vehicles. At locations in Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Singapore and the USA, some 3500 employees manufacture and support a product portfolio ranging from air-transportable, heavily armoured wheeled vehicles (MUNGO, AMPV, DINGO, GFF4 and BOXER) through reconnaissance, antiaircraft and artillery systems (FENNEK, GEPARD, LeFlaSys, Armoured Howitzer 2000, AGM and DONAR) to heavy battle tanks (LEOPARD 1 and 2), infantry fighting vehicles (PUMA) and bridgelaying systems (LEGUAN).

This marks the start for the contractual delivery of 405 ordered vehicles to the German Armed Forces. The contract with a volume of roughly EUR 3.1 bn was signed in July 2009. The delivery of the PUMA is a significant milestone for the most important procurement program of the German Army.

“This is a crucial day on the way of introducing the PUMA to the German Armed Forces. We have undergone a challenging period of research and development, pushing the limits of this technology,” stated Klaus Eberhardt, CEO of Rheinmetall, and Frank Haun, CEO of KMW.

Technology of extremes: lessons learned from current operations

The development of the new infantry fighting vehicle is marked by technological extremes. It will not only be the new transport platform for the German Army but also a cutting-edge technology system. With its unique balance of tactical and strategic mobility, survivability and fighting power, the PUMA gives the German Armed Forces a state-of-the-art infantry fighting vehicle systematically tailored to the current and future operational requirements of the German military both at home and abroad.

The development achievement was guided by the demand to induce latest mission experience from current operations and to consequently deliver effective mission performance. To that extent this has not been realized in any other infantry fighting vehicle.

The PUMA is scheduled to undergo an intense round of testing and verification. This includes extreme summer and winter trials abroad. The complex preparations are deemed to ensure the smooth introduction of the system to the German Army.

PUMA sets the new standard – maximum protection for the crew

No comparable vehicle provides its crew with such a high level of protection from typical conflict zone threats such as landmines, rocket propelled grenades and improvised explosive devices. Well-protected yet light enough to airlift, the PUMA's modularity and expandability make it the perfect tool for international conflict management. The PUMA, whose main armament and ammunition had to be modified to match the altered threat spectrum, represents the ultimate in fighting power and survivability.

Today, more than thirty years after Germany first fielded the MARDER, the PUMA is poised to significantly expand the Bundeswehr's capabilities spectrum, providing it with an entirely new category of tactical vehicle. In any international comparison, the PUMA clearly represents the cutting edge in contemporary armoured vehicle technology.

The system runs on commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) desktop computers. KMW Training & Simulation will deliver the BATSIM Classroom simulators to the Norwegian Armed Forces in 2011.

Like many armies worldwide, the Norwegian Armed Forces have explored the use of serious games to support their training activities. In the past, these applications largely failed to simulate realistic vulnerability and damage models, and also lacked the sophistication to reproduce the vehicles´ operational details.

BATSIM Classroom is a milestone in military simulation Driven by KMW´s unique knowledge - deriving from over 30 years of development into high-end combat simulation - and the quantum leap of commercial computer and graphic board development, KMW Training & Simulation has condensed its combat simulation software to fit and run on a single COTS Desktop PC. As a result, it will be available to an even larger number of trainees.

As Dr. Dirk Schmidt, Senior Vice President Training & Simulation for KMW, commented “This is a milestone in military simulation because with the BATSIM Classroom a desktop simulation system is available which combines KMW’s expertise as a leading manufacturer of main battle tanks and of a proven simulation framework fielded in many armies worldwide. Our customers will appreciate the plug and play networking of our new BATSIM Classroom with their existing high-end simulators”.

The BATSIM Classroom for Leopard 2 has been developed in close cooperation with experienced tank training experts to match their exact requirements.

• Integrated IMI: KMW´s powerful man machine interface for instructors and trainees
• Instructor Independent Training: Trainee management and Automated exercise progress
• Computer Generated Forces: Very flexible and intelligent CGF suitable for MOUT operations
• MilCIG: KMW´s world class COTS visual system running on standard PC, license free from 3rd party suppliers
• Dynamic Database in proven KMW quality and fidelity
• Dynamic Objects in high detail and large variety
• Networking with other simulation systems from KMW, e.g. for full mission training, or other simulators supporting the DIS/HLA interface.

The training environment is tailored for the MBT Leopard 2 with physical replication of important control elements and validated vehicle dynamics, vehicle logic and simulation of fire control system, but can easily be adapted to other combat vehicles, from all vendors.

Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG provides further information of BATSIM Classroom for Leopard 2 at I/ITSEC 2010, the world’s largest modeling, simulation & training conference (November 29th - December 2nd) in Orlando, USA (Booth #1209).

Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG leads the European market for armoured wheeled and tracked vehicles. At locations in Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Singapore and the USA, some 3400 employees manufacture and support a product portfolio ranging from air-transportable, heavily armoured wheeled vehicles through reconnaissance, antiaircraft and artillery systems to heavy battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and bridge-laying systems.

In addition, KMW has wide-ranging system competence in the area of civil and military simulation, as well as in command and information systems and remote-controlled weapon stations with reconnaissance and observation equipment for day and night missions. The armed forces of more than 30 nations worldwide rely on the operational systems by KMW.

The troops operating at the Hindu Kush are in need of the vehicles more than ever; since the beginning of the year, soldiers have been confronted with an increasing number of assaults by insurgents. By the end of November, the first ten vehicles shall be delivered by KMW and transported to the operational area. The remaining vehicles will follow in February 2011.

Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Austria and the Czech Republic also make use of the Dingo 2.

KMW supports Norwegians in the area of operations

The Dingo 2 is operated as a patrol and protection vehicle. Additionally, KMW supports the Norwegian forces with its service teams in Afghanistan. These cover tasks such as maintenance and repairs. The contract includes the delivery of specialised tools, the training of the vehicle crews and the option to purchase further vehicles.

Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG leads the European market for armoured wheeled and tracked vehicles. At locations in Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Singapore and the USA, some 3400 employees manufacture and support its product portfolio. In addition, KMW has wide-ranging system competence in the area of civil and military simulation, as well as in command and information systems and remote-controlled weapon stations with reconnaissance and observation equipment for day and night missions. The armed forces of more than 30 nations worldwide rely on the operational systems by KMW.

The roll-out took place in the presence of the Canadian military representative, Vice Admiral Denis Rouleau, and the General der Panzertruppen, Brigadier General Klaus Feldmann, and numerous other representatives of the Canadian and German army on training area at Bergen near Hannover (Germany). The next deployment location for the Canadian Leopards will be Afghanistan.

On the occasion of the roll-out, Brigadier-General Steve Bowes, Commander of the Canadian Land Force Atlantic Area said: "The complexity of the contemporary operational environment has done nothing to dimish the importance of armour supporting the combined arms team. Canadians are proud to serve our nation and support our allies abroad with the best main battle tank Leopard 2 for today's complex operational environment."

• Tanks will be sent straight to Afghanistan
• Deployment in urban terrain also guaranteed
• Development, upgrading and delivery in less than one year

Protecting lives “Made in Germany”
Canada commissioned KMW to upgrade 20 Leopard main battle tanks in July 2009 for deployment in Hindu Kush. The new version, the Leopard A4M CAN, is specially designed for operations in Afghanistan. Both knowledge from the previously used Leopard 2A6M and state-of-the-art technology that was recently qualified by KMW in collaboration with the German army and the Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB) flowed into the development.

The development, conversion and overhaul of the first vehicles were successfully carried out in less than one year, converting them into modern operational units.

Daniel Hebert, Project Manager Tank Replacement Project, said: "The flexibility, professionalism and teamwork exhibited by KMW over the past three years to support Canada's Leopard 2 A6M in Afghanistan was exceptional. Now, with the Leopard 2 A4M, KMW continues to be instrumental in providing Canada with superior firepower, mobility and the protection required to save lives."

The main focus of the new design was consistent protection of the crews, who are subjected to enemy attacks with powerful anti-tank projectiles and are in constant danger from mines and IED’s (Improvised Explosive Devices). The starting point for the protection concept is outstanding protection from mines and good all-round protection.

Furthermore, the capabilities of the new battle tank have been significantly extended by integrating a pioneer equipment interface. Mine rollers, mine ploughs and dozer blades allow the Canadian armed forces to carry out a wide range of dangerous tasks in spite of the small number of heavy vehicles. Provisions have also been made for deployment in the extreme heat of southern Afghanistan.

With this order, KMW has again provided proof of its system capability in battle tank construction, which is globally unique. The armed forces of 16 countries now rely on the Leopard 2.

Optimum mobility with a major effect
On the battlefield, the Leopard is the most powerful response to enemies who are armed with weapons of war and provides maximum protection and unrestricted mobility for your own crew. Unlike many other systems, the tank can also operate and demonstrate its strengths in extremely dangerous environments and can also do this over long periods of time if necessary. NATO partners Canada and Denmark have therefore been deploying the Leopard 2 for years in ISAF operations in Afghanistan.

With its armour, which goes far beyond that of any other battle vehicle, its speed, its agility and its precise and extremely effective weaponry, it has a tremendous amount of deterrent potential as far as the enemy is concerned and is an essential system for Canadian soldiers during operations that they cannot imagine doing without. It has saved the lives of Canadian soldiers on many occasions. This protection also has a positive effect on the morale of the troops, who now rely on their Leos during operations.

Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG leads the European market for armoured wheeled and tracked vehicles. At locations in Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Singapore and the USA, some 3400 employees manufacture and support a product portfolio ranging from air-transportable, heavily armoured wheeled vehicles through reconnaissance, anti-aircraft and artillery systems to heavy battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and bridge-laying systems.

“Time is of the essence when recovering vehicles that have been involved in accidents, and particularly when rescuing the crew in time of crisis and conflict”, says Frank Haun, chairman of the KMW board of directors in Paris. “This is why the DINGO 2 recovery vehicle is designed to be able to respond immediately”. Unlike conventional recovery vehicles, the new development can follow patrol and convoy vehicles in deployment areas because of its size and its outstanding mobility.

For the first time, this extremely mobile recovery version of the DINGO 2 has three axles (6x6) but is still based on a UNIMOG chassis, like the entire DINGO 2 family, making operation, maintenance and training easier. The new vehicle weighs 17.5 tons and can therefore be transported by air without problems. Like all of the DINGO 2 vehicles that are already in the field, the 3-man crew can rely on the high level of protection that is provided and also keep a close eye on the situation using the extended rear-view camera system.

Like its sister versions, this new development is also intended to be the vehicle with the best protection in its class for patrols, ambulance operations, reconnaissance, transport, ABC reconnaissance missions, battle damage repair and maintenance. The vehicle can also be equipped with the standardized KMW FLW 100 (remote-controlled light weapon station).

KMW has developed the concept of a modular all-round protection transport vehicle for various tactical deployment variants over the last few years. The DINGO 2 recovery is a further addition to this successful family of vehicles. Over 700 DINGOs in various are currently in use with five European nations.

The Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB) has now ordered a further 41 of these heavily-protected personnel and material carrier from Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), which the German Army will deploy in Afghanistan. The leading European manufacturer for protected wheeled and tracked vehicles will deliver the 41 DINGO 2 to the troops even before the end of the year.

Fast delivery

“This short delivery period underlines the flexibility and industrial performance of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann”, says Frank Haun, CEO and Chairman of the Board of KMW.

DINGO 2 considered the best-protected wheeled vehicle

The DINGO 2 is currently considered the best protected wheeled vehicle in the world, and offers its crew of up to eight members what is now the highest level of protection available in its class against modern small arms, artillery shrapnel, anti-personnel and anti-tank mines, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and against NBC warfare agents.

All 41 vehicles are equipped with a light weapons station of the type FLW 100 as defensive weaponry, which, if need be, can carry different sets of armaments (e.g. machines guns). This is operated by remote control by the vehicle crew from inside the protected crew compartment, and can be used with the utmost precision and control even when driving fast through difficult terrain.

The DINGO is available in different mission configurations, including patrol, mobile command post, NBC reconnaissance and armoured ambulance. The protection and safety standards of the DINGO 2 apply to all variants. The all-terrain UNIMOG chassis of the DINGO 2 allows all vehicle configurations to reach a maximum speed of 90km/h and a cruising range of approximately 1,000km. Furthermore, it can be deployed by transport aircraft such as the C-160 Transall, C-130 Hercules and the A400M in all configurations.

Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG leads the European market for armoured wheeled and tracked vehicles. At locations in Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Singapore and the USA, some 3400 employees manufacture and support a product portfolio ranging from air-transportable, heavily armoured wheeled vehicles (MUNGO, DINGO, GFF4 and BOXER) through reconnaissance, anti-aircraft and artillery systems (FENNEK, GEPARD, LeFLaSys, Armoured Howitzer 2000, AGM and DONAR) to heavy battle tanks (LEOPARD 1 and 2), armoured personnel carriers (PUMA) and bridge-laying systems (LEGUAN and PSB2).

The vehicles feature special equipment for Joint Fire Support (JFS) tasks and will see deployment to Afghanistan as early as in April 2010. More than one hundred guests attended the ceremony at which KMW Member of the Board Jürgen Weber handed over the new JFST FENNEK to BWB’s vice president Reinhard Schütte as well as to the Commander of the Artillery School, Brig. Gen. Heribert Hupka.

Based on the highly mobile FENNEK all-terrain vehicle, the JFST coordinates indirect fire of land assets as well as airborne and shipboard weapons systems, thus increasing their effectiveness. Two different vehicle configurations work together to provide this vital support: the “ground-ground” configuration as an Artillery Observer and the “air-ground” configuration as a Forward Air Controller.

The JFST provides the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) with significantly improved capabilities for the reconnaissance, detection, identification and evaluation of enemy targets. Furthermore, the vehicles are characterized by their additional communication links to other Army, Air Force and Navy platforms.

“This highly sophisticated system provides the Bundeswehr with a new, urgently required capability,” said Jürgen Weber. “Opponents can be reconnoitered, identified and geographically positioned up to a range of several kilometers during day and night time. The information gathered by the JFST is vital to the forces of the Army, Air Force and Navy.” A laser pointer and illuminator, integrated onto the system, will improve the capability to use laser-guided munitions with a future extended function.

So far, a total of 20 vehicles have been ordered which will be delivered through 2011. The overall requirement of the Bundeswehr amounts to 40 vehicles.

The FENNEK Artillery Observer configuration has already been deployed with the ISAF troops since 2004. The new “double act” system features an extraordinarily powerful observation and reconnaissance equipment. The vehicles further provide a high level of protection against mines and ballistic threats as well as against NBC contamination.

With a range of 850 kilometers the three-man-crew can operated independently for several days. Being air-transportable, the FENNEK can be rapidly and easily deployed to distant and remote areas of operation.

Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG leads the European market for armoured wheeled and tracked vehicles. At locations in Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Singapore and the USA, some 3,400 employees manufacture and support a product portfolio ranging from air-transportable, heavily armoured wheeled vehicles through reconnaissance, anti-aircraft and artillery systems to heavy battle tanks, armoured personnel carriers and bridge-laying systems

In addition, KMW has wide-ranging system competence in the area of civil and military simulation, as well as in command and information systems and remote-controlled gun-carriages with reconnaissance and observation equipment for day and night missions. The armed forces of more than 30 nations worldwide rely on the operational systems by KMW.