A ceremony on 29th October 2026 at the Dutch production site in Ede has marked the first delivery of CARACAL 4x4 air-portable vehicles to Germany and Netherlands as part of a joint procurement effort with Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH and Rheinmetall Defence Nederland B.V.
The first production vehicles went to the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) and to the Dutch Ministry of Defence respectively; the Netherlands had actually already received a first vehicle, for driver training, on 29 September 2026.
The CARACAL is a highly mobile air assault vehicle (“Einsatzsystem Luftlandeplattform” for Deployment System Airmobile Platform) destined for light and specialized forces and sized for internal transport on CH-47 CHINOOK (1 internal, 1 under slung can be carried at the same time). The vehicle is based on the Mercedes-Benz G-Class 464 model series.
The joint procurement has its roots in 2022, and it saw the signing of a framework agreement in July 2023 which covers up to 3,058 vehicles, of which 2,054 for Germany and 1,004 for the Netherlands. For the moment, the firm order covers 1,508 vehicles for a value of 870 million Euro. Germany is to get 1,004 vehicles and the Netherlands 504. “Full life-cycle support” for over 20 years is included, while the deliveries of the 1508 vehicles are due to wrap up by 2030. The Rheinmetall factory in Ede, in the Nethelands, does the final assembly.
CARACAL can be kitted for a wide variety of roles, with Rheinmetall reporting the availability of 28 different equipment kits already. A rail structure designed by ACS facilitates the change of kits and role-fit with simple nuts and bolts connections.
In its base configuration, CARACAL accommodates 4 soldiers along with their gear. The main armament ring can mount weapons ranging from MG5 machine guns to heavy machine guns (HMGs), automatic grenade launchers and anti-tank launcher (SPIKE missiles, for Germany). In addition, the vehicles are equipped with secondary armament consisting of a machine gun mounted on the co-driver’s weapon mount.
The vehicles will replace, among others, airborne variants of the Mercedes WOLF and MUNGO-type vehicles used by the German and Dutch forces. The CARACAL can be optionally fitted with Integrated minicaps protection and adaptive ballistic protection according to STANAG 4569 (Level 1).
With a length of about 4.70 m, a width of 1.89 m and a height of 1.81 m, it weights 3700 kg with a 1200 kg payload (for air transport, resulting in a 4900 kg load). Rheinmetall declares a max speed of 130km/h, with slope angle capability up to 60% and 30% lateral slope angle. Wading depth is up to 700 mm, with a step climbing ability of 330 mm and trench crossing of 500. It is powered by an EURO 3, 6-cylinder, 249 hp 600 Nm torque engine.
Rheinmetall is working on a 6x6 development expected to be mature in 2028. Length increases to 6,1 meters; internal carry-on CH-47 or CH-53 remains possible.
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