The German Bundeswehr continues to move forward on its modernization and expansion of its forces with two major announced contract initiatives.
The German publication Hartpunkt on 16 December 2025 indicated from informed sources that the Budget Committee of the Bundeswehr will be reviewing a submission for the acquisition of Eagle 4 X 4 and 6 X 6 armoured vehicles. The procurement for the General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) Eagle protected vehicles could have a total value of about €4.8 billion (US$5.6 billion).
In addition, it was announced on 17 December 2025 that the Bundeswehr had placed orders with Finland’s Patria for armoured vehicles under the CAVS Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) programme, valued at over €2 billion (US$2.35 billion). The acquisitions cover a range of combat and combat support mission configurations designed to enhance both the mobility and capabilities of the German forces.
The GDELS procurement could see a near-term order of around 3,000 new 4 X 4 vehicles which will substantially expand the Bundeswehr’s current fleet of Eagle protected vehicles. The force currently fields around 675 Eagle IV and Eagle V 4×4 vehicles as well as 80 6 X 6 Medical variants. The Bundeswehr plan could include a further purchase of an additional 1,000 4 X 4 and 1,000 6 X 6 Eagle vehicles.
The Eagle V 4×4 gross vehicle weight is 11.5 tons while the Eagle V 6×6 gross weight is16.5 tons. The vehicles have protection against mines, improvised explosive devices, and ballistic threats. The medical evacuation version included in the initial order has a four-person crew and can transport of one or two wounded stretcher cases. Other variants can mount a remote weapon station with up to 30mm autocannon. Initial deliveries are anticipated in 2026.
The CAVS orders are part of the larger multi-nation collaborative program which include Finland, Latvia, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, the United Kingdom, and Norway all using a Patria designed 6 X 6 armoured vehicle. Germany joined the CAVS in 2023. The German acquisition will consist of four variants including those with the Patria NEMO turreted mortar system and the Kongsberg RS4 remote weapon system.
First deliveries will occur in 2026 from Patria with technology transfer to Patria’s industry team of Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft mbH units in Flensburg (FFG) and Kirchen (JWT), and KNDS in Germany. Local production deliveries of CAVS vehicles are scheduled for 2027. Patria has orders for over 2000 CAVS vehicles with an active production that has produced over 250 systems. The CAVS program objective is to capitalize on European industry and common requirements to field mutually supporting protected mobility systems of the participating countries.
by Stephen W. Miller
