I Dream of Geniepanzer: Swiss Order 12 Leopard-2 Engineering Vehicles

AEV-3 Geniepanzer/ Kodiak(click to view full) In its 2006 armaments programme, the Swiss parliament approved the procurement of 12 “Geniepanzer” armoured engineer and mine-clearing vehicles for the country’s Armed Forces, using the chassis of surplus Pz87 (Leopard 2) tanks. A CHF 95 million (currently around $76 million) procurement contract has now been signed by the procurement agency Armasuisse and Thun-based RUAG Land Systems, covering 12 carrier vehicles, plus 12 AEV(Advanced Engineering Vehicle) modules and 6 mine-clearing modules. The vehicles will be multifunctional, and it will be possible to set them up for AEV or mine clearance missions within a very short time. Ruag is partnering with Germany’s Leopard tank co-producer Rheinmetall AG, and the vehicles were to be delivered to the Swiss armed forces in 2010-2011. As it happens, deiveries didn’t start until the end of 2011… The Geniepanzer/ Kodiak AEV-3 Mine-clearance options(click to view full) The Geniepanzer, also known as the Kodiak for international sales, will be equipped with a high-performance hinged arm excavator, a bulldozer system with innovative cutting and tilt angle settings, and a double-winch system consisting of two 9 tonne/10 ton capstan winches. When combined and deployed in multiple traction mode, these provide a pulling force […]