Denmark orders 1,000 new German G-Class all-terrain vehicles to modernize its off-road capabilities.

On June 11, 2025, the Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (FMI) signed a double framework agreement with Ejner Hessel A/S, the Danish distributor of Mercedes-Benz, for the procurement and long-term maintenance of up to 1,000 new all-terrain vehicles of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, based on the 464 series. The agreement includes one framework contract covering the acquisition of the vehicles, initial spare parts, logistics kits, special tools, and instructor training, and a second contract for maintenance services throughout the operational life of up to 28 years.
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The Mercedes G-Class, known in Danish military service as the GD, has served as the standard light utility vehicle across the armed forces since the 1980s. (Picture source: Danish MoD)

The contract is part of Denmark’s broader defense investment plans supported by the Accelerationsfonden and the GAFF (genopretning af forsvarets fundament) initiative, both of which were established in 2023. According to informed sources, 400 of the vehicles are part of a firm order, while the remainder are subject to optional future procurement within the framework. The first deliveries are scheduled to begin at the end of 2025 with the Property and Terrain Command.

Two prototypes, a basic Army variant and a Home Guard variant equipped with a roof-mounted ring mount for a light machine gun, will be developed and completed within 2025. These will undergo detailed testing before the start of serial production. Following approval, the remaining prototypes for the Military Police and Air Force incident commander variants will be developed and finalized. Full series production will begin thereafter, with a planned delivery rate of 200 to 300 vehicles annually between 2026 and the end of 2029. The vehicle is intended to replace the current fleet of GD vehicles that have been in service in the Danish Armed Forces for nearly four decades. In addition to replacement, the new vehicles will enable expanded capabilities, such as motorized surveillance for the Home Guard and operational support for other branches. All five variants are expected to support a wide range of operational and administrative roles.

The five specific variants covered by the agreement include: a basic variant for the Army, which will be the most numerous and serve in operational and training roles; a Home Guard variant fitted with a roof-mounted ring mount for a light machine gun, to be used in motorized surveillance units across Denmark; a variant for incident commanders of the Air Force, to be used at Danish airbases; a variant for the Military Police that will serve as a one-to-one replacement of their current vehicles; and a version for the Property and Terrain Command, intended to support activities such as training range operations and land maintenance. The vehicles were tested in the summer of 2024 during a comprehensive evaluation that included representatives from the Army’s Logistics and Signal Regiment and volunteers from the Home Guard. Testing focused on cargo capacity, off-road mobility, and crew comfort. The selected G-Class 464 configuration includes a 3.0-liter diesel engine with 180 horsepower and 4×4 drive.

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class has been in continuous service with the Danish Armed Forces since the 1980s, primarily under the GD designation. It has served in multiple capacities including in the Army, the Military Police, the Air Force, and the Home Guard, for both operational and training missions. The current GDs are approaching the end of their service life. The new acquisition intends to replace them entirely with a modernized, modular, and serviceable platform across all relevant branches. The decision to procure five mission-specific variants reflects the intent to maintain standardization while meeting evolving operational needs. The procurement is also aligned with Denmark’s material investment objectives to ensure sustained functionality and readiness across the armed forces, including reserve components such as the Home Guard, until at least the mid-2050s.

The G-Class was developed during the early 1970s by Daimler-Benz and Steyr-Daimler-Puch as a response to military requirements, with initial support from the Shah of Iran, a significant Daimler shareholder. Serial production began in 1979 at the facility in Graz, Austria, which continues to produce the vehicle. Although it did not win the Bundeswehr tender, awarded instead to the Volkswagen Iltis, the G-Class was adopted by several NATO and UN forces. Early models emphasized off-road durability and were built on a ladder frame chassis with rigid axles and locking differentials. The W460 model was succeeded by the W461, developed for official and military clients, and by the more refined W463 for civilian markets. Over time, the G-Class entered broader civilian use, particularly in the 1990s and 2000s, where it retained its external design while receiving technological and interior upgrades. Production exceeded 500,000 units by 2023, and the G-Class remains in production as of 2025 in military and civilian variants.

Since its introduction, the G-Class has been engineered for off-road performance. The early models featured manually lockable differentials, a high ground clearance, and a ladder frame chassis, which provided structural rigidity for cross-country mobility. These features enabled the vehicle to climb slopes of 35 to 38 degrees, ford depths over 500 mm, and remain stable on uneven terrain. The platform was further enhanced in later models with permanent all-wheel drive, increased suspension travel, and drivetrain refinements. Despite improvements in electronics and comfort systems, the vehicle maintained its capacity for off-road use in harsh environments. Its ability to operate in Arctic conditions, deserts, and mountainous areas contributed to its continued use in both military and civilian sectors. The G-Class platform has also supported specialized versions equipped for field communications, weapons integration, and reconnaissance.

The G-Class has been adopted by more than 40 military operators. Germany’s Bundeswehr designated it as the 250 GD “Wolf,” with several variants supporting command, ambulance, and logistics roles. France produced the Peugeot P4, based on the G-Class chassis with localized engines and gearboxes. Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, and Indonesia are among the countries that have integrated military variants of the vehicle into their forces. Some configurations include armored versions like the LAPV Enok, compliant with STANAG 4569 protection standards. The platform has also been used for military communications, convoy escort, and light weapons mounting. It remains operational in NATO and non-NATO countries and has been the base for additional military vehicle developments, such as the Serval and Rheinmetall Caracal. The modular chassis allows integration of mission-specific equipment, which continues to make it suitable for evolving tactical requirements as of 2025.