First Caracal vehicles for the German and Dutch armed forces
Rheinmetall has achieved a significant milestone by delivering the first series-production Caracal vehicles to the armed forces of Germany and the Netherlands. The handover took place on 29th October 2026, during a formal ceremony at the production site in Ede, Netherlands, where Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH and Rheinmetall Defence Nederland B.V. transferred these first vehicles to the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) and the Dutch Ministry of Defence. Notably, the Dutch Ministry had already received the initial vehicle for driver training on 29th September 2026.
The delivery of these first Caracal vehicles, officially designated as the “Einsatzsystem Luftlandeplattform” (Deployment System Airmobile Platform), marks a critical point in the project’s development, serving as the groundwork for the future delivery of additional units. The Caracal is designed with impressive versatility in mind, featuring a total of 28 different equipment kits that accommodate various operational roles.
This contract not only entails the vehicle deliveries but also encompasses comprehensive life-cycle support for a span of 20 years, ensuring a long-term and sustainable service life. By 2030, over 1,500 Caracal vehicles are slated for delivery to both the German Bundeswehr and the Dutch Armed Forces.
The Caracal is engineered as a modular and multipurpose vehicle, built on the latest-generation Mercedes-Benz G-Class (464 model series) military chassis, similar to the Wolf 2. Its lightweight, customizable superstructure is tailored to meet specific mission requirements, with final assembly occurring at Rheinmetall Defence Nederland’s facility in Ede.
Providing both the Bundeswehr and Dutch forces with enhanced tactical mobility for airborne operations, the Caracal can carry four soldiers along with their personal gear and mission-specific equipment in its basic configuration.
Owing to its compact design, it is versatile enough to be transported in various configurations, either within a cargo hold or as an underslung load by heavy-lift transport helicopters. The vehicle’s adaptive capabilities facilitate a wide range of operational scenarios for both light and specialized units, while also delivering modular and scalable protection against mines and ballistic threats.
The armament options available for the Caracal include a ring mount that can accommodate MG5 machine guns, heavy machine guns (HMGs), automatic grenade launchers, and anti-tank weaponry. Additionally, secondary armament consisting of a machine gun can be mounted on the co-driver’s side.
“The highly mobile and modular Caracal is among the most versatile vehicles in our portfolio,” remarked Björn Bernhard, Managing Director of Rheinmetall Landsysteme. “Our teams in Germany and the Netherlands are collaborating closely with other industry partners to realize this project. We are thrilled to mark this milestone in the delivery process alongside our German and Dutch customers and are eager to foster a long and trusting partnership.”
