The order expands an existing procurement framework for the German armed forces. The original agreement covered up to 137 vehicles and included an initial order for 32 Elefant 2 transporters.
The seven-year framework included options for additional vehicles with a total gross contract value of €122 million. Rheinmetall said increased demand has now led to another extension covering 56 more vehicles.
The new order will expand the Bundeswehr’s heavy-lift transport capacity. Rheinmetall said moving heavy combat vehicles is particularly important because of Germany’s role as a logistics hub for NATO collective defence.
The HX81 Elefant 2 is an unarmoured heavy tractor designed for high-capacity military transport. It complements the armoured Mammut heavy-lift transporter already supplied to the Bundeswehr by Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles.
The Elefant 2 is powered by an eight-cylinder diesel engine producing 680 horsepower. It can reach a top speed of 89 kilometres per hour and climb gradients of up to 60 per cent.
The vehicle has a technically permissible gross combination weight of 135 tonnes. It is also fitted with a twin-winch system from Rotzler.
Each winch provides a pulling force of 20 tonnes. The vehicle uses the same driver’s cab as the Bundeswehr’s UTF vehicle family.
The HX81 Elefant 2 entered service as a new element of the Bundeswehr’s heavy-lift transport fleet. Its role is to provide additional capacity alongside the armoured Mammut platform.
The latest contract extends Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles’ role in German military logistics. Deliveries of the additional 56 Elefant 2 transporters are scheduled across 2026 and 2027.
