The German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (Bundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr; BAAINBw) has commissioned Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) to supply additional Leguan bridge laying systems to the German Army. The contract covers 24 Leguan systems on the Leopard 2 chassis, training simulators, ancillary equipment and transport systems. The Bundeswehr is thus further expanding its ability to ford water and cross gaps in terrain, even with heavy equipment. Germany had warranted this capability to NATO within the scope of its participation in the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF). The Bundeswehr is thus making a major contribution to the future mobility of European NATO forces.
The Leguan Leopard 2 is capable of transporting and laying one bridge in the military load class MLC80 (about 72 tons) with a length of 26 metres, or alternatively two bridges with a length of 14 metres each, all under combat conditions. In total, armies from 19 different countries deploy the Leguan bridge laying system on the most diverse mobility platforms. The Leguan on Leopard 2 chassis has nine users. The bridge layers are expected to be delivered to the Bundeswehr between 2023 and 2028. The order volume amounts to approx. EUR 280 million. As of 2020, it is possible to plan and design collective supply concepts, further developments and modification projects in close conjunction with the Leopard 2 2 Main Battle Tank courtesy of the Leo User Club.
Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, a member of the German-French defense technology group KNDS, leads the European market for highly protected wheeled and tracked vehicles. At locations in Germany, Brazil, Greece, Mexico, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the USA more than 4.000 employees develop, manufacture and support a product portfolio ranging from air-transportable, highly protected wheeled vehicles through reconnaissance, anti-aircraft and artillery systems to main battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and bridge-laying systems. In 2015, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann merged with the French state-owned defence company Nexter Systems. KMW is now a subsidiary of a newly formed holding company, 50% of which are in turn controlled by the former owners of the German company.
