The Canadian Armed Forces have awarded Rheinmetall a substantial contract for 85 heavy recovery vehicles, marking a significant investment in enhancing their logistical capabilities. The deal, valued at CAD $325 million (approximately â¬215 million), forms part of the Enhanced Recovery Capability (ERC) project and includes a further CAD $28.9 million (â¬20 million) contract for multi-year in-service support. The announcement was made by Rheinmetall on 14 November 2024.
This significant procurement will see the replacement of the Canadian Armed Forces' ageing fleet of Heavy Logistics Vehicle Wheeled (HLVW) vehicles. These older vehicles, based on the Austrian Steyr Percheron and developed as the UTDC 24M32, have been in service since 1990. While capable of transporting combat vehicles, cargo, troops, and spare parts (carrying between 10,000kg and 16,000kg depending on the variant), they are being superseded by more modern technology. The HLVWs have served with both regular forces and reserve units, seeing deployment in numerous overseas operations.
The new heavy recovery vehicles, based on Rheinmetall's HX platform, are expected to offer substantially improved capabilities. The HX vehicles will feature an integrated rotary crane, enhancing their versatility for container handling and other crane-related tasks. The enhanced recovery capabilities provided by these new vehicles will be particularly beneficial to the Canadian Army's engineering units, allowing for more efficient recovery and towing of heavy armoured and logistics vehicles.
Delivery of the first vehicles is scheduled for 2027, with Rheinmetall Canada, a local subsidiary, acting as the main contractor for the project. This significant contract represents a considerable expansion of Rheinmetall's presence in the North American market, which has historically been dominated by domestic manufacturers or those producing under license. The deal follows other recent successes for Rheinmetall in the region, notably the collaboration between American Rheinmetall Vehicles and GM Defense LLC on three Common Tactical Truck (CTT) prototypes.
The five-year procurement represents a commitment to modernising the Canadian Armed Forcesâ logistical infrastructure. The enhanced capabilities of the new HX vehicles, alongside comprehensive in-service support, will ensure improved operational readiness and efficiency for years to come. The significant investment underlines the Canadian government's priority in maintaining a well-equipped and technologically advanced military. The upgrade signifies a move towards more advanced and versatile equipment, strengthening the Canadian Armed Forces' ability to respond effectively to a range of operational scenarios.
