Rheinmetall has handed over the first series-production Caracal tactical vehicles to the German and Dutch armed forces, marking the start of deliveries under a joint order for more than 1,500 vehicles.
The handover took place on October 29 at the company’s production facility in the Netherlands, where its representatives presented the vehicles to the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support and the Dutch Ministry of Defence.
Amsterdam had already received an initial vehicle on September 29 for driver training, while the latest handover marks the beginning of deliveries of production-standard vehicles.
Based on the Mercedes-Benz G-Class 464 military chassis, the Caracal is designed to provide airborne and specialized forces with a highly mobile platform that can be configured for different missions.
The contract covers more than 1,500 vehicles for Germany and the Netherlands by 2030, along with 20 years of life-cycle support.
Modular Design Supports Multiple Combat Roles
The Caracal can carry up to four soldiers, including their personal and mission equipment, and is designed for transport inside military aircraft or as an underslung load beneath heavy-lift helicopters.
Its modular design allows the vehicle to be fitted with different equipment packages for a range of operational requirements, with Rheinmetall currently offering 28 configurations.
The vehicle can also be equipped with a range of weapons, including MG5 machine guns, heavy machine guns, automatic grenade launchers, and anti-tank weapons.
Additional protection against mines and ballistic threats can be fitted depending on mission requirements.
“The highly mobile and modular Caracal is one of the most versatile vehicles in our portfolio,” said Björn Bernhard, managing director of Rheinmetall Landsysteme.
“Rheinmetall colleagues from Germany and the Netherlands are working closely with other industry partners to make this project a reality.”
