Germany Prepares 3,000 Eagle V Armored Vehicle Order to Modernize Army Mobility.

Germany’s Bundeswehr is preparing a firm order for nearly 3,000 GDELS Eagle V protected vehicles under a procurement valued at roughly 4.8 billion euros, according to Hartpunkt. The move would reshape German ground mobility and strengthen NATO readiness as Europe accelerates force modernization.

Germany is moving toward one of its largest armored vehicle procurements in decades, as the Bundeswehr prepares to place a firm order for almost 3,000 GDELS Eagle V protected vehicles, according to reporting by the Hartpunkt defense policy outlet on December 16, 2025. The acquisition, valued at approximately 4.8 billion euros, is expected to proceed pending approval by the Bundestag Budget Committee and would establish long-term framework agreements covering both command vehicles and protected ambulances.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

GDELS Eagle V is a mine and blast-recovered 4x4 and 6x6 with high off-road mobility, heavy mission payload, and remote weapon station options for command, patrol, and medevac roles (Picture source: GDELS).

The Eagle V sits in the sweet spot Germany has long lacked in sufficient numbers: a compact, high mobility, mine-protected 4x4 designed to carry real mission payloads without jumping to larger MRAP dimensions. The Eagle V 4x4 operates at up to 11.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight with a payload capacity of around 3.5 tonnes, while the 6x6 version reaches approximately 16.5 tonnes gross with up to 6 tonnes payload. Both variants are powered by a Cummins six-cylinder diesel engine delivering about 185 kW and 245 hp, coupled to an Allison automatic transmission with permanent All Wheel Drive. The chassis uses De Dion axles, self-locking differentials, central tire pressure regulation, and run-flat tires, enabling high off-road mobility. Maximum road speed is around 110 km/h, with an operational range of roughly 700 km.

These technical characteristics are central to how the Bundeswehr intends to use the Eagle V. Germany is not procuring a simple troop carrier but a multi-role protected platform for command, control, liaison, and specialist missions that must operate under artillery fragmentation, small arms fire, and mine or IED threats. The vehicle supports a range of remote weapon stations, including the FLW 100 and FLW 200, allowing integration of 7.62 mm and 12.7 mm machine guns or a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher, with stabilized day and thermal sights. An NBC overpressure and filtration system is standard, and the onboard power architecture is designed to support radios, electronic equipment, and weapon systems during static operations without compromising readiness.

Operationally, the scale of the planned acquisition signals a shift in German force posture. The Eagle V is intended to become a standardized layer of protected mobility across the Bundeswehr rather than a platform reserved for deployments abroad. It is already used by Army and Air Force units for leadership, security, and force protection tasks, and is fielded in roles such as operational communications and electronic warfare support. A fleet numbering in the thousands would allow Germany to equip training units, NATO readiness formations, and deployed forces simultaneously, reducing long-standing shortfalls that have constrained readiness and interoperability.

The inclusion of the Eagle V 6x6 ambulance variant underlines how medical support has moved closer to the front line in modern conflict. Designed as the successor to the Duro 3 Yak ambulance, the 6x6 provides protected primary casualty evacuation in contested environments. German military medical personnel have emphasized the vehicle’s modern interior layout, improved ergonomics, and capacity to carry advanced medical equipment, reflecting lessons from recent high-intensity conflicts where evacuation under fire has become routine rather than exceptional.

In replacement terms, the Eagle V 6x6 will progressively take over the Bundeswehr’s protected medical evacuation role from the aging Duro 3 Yak fleet. The Eagle V 4x4 represents the next generation after the Eagle IV, which has been in German service for years as a protected command and patrol vehicle. By maintaining a high degree of logistical and training commonality between Eagle IV and V, Germany aims to control lifecycle costs while significantly increasing protection, payload, and growth potential.

Compared with Western competitors, the Eagle V occupies a distinct niche. The U.S. Oshkosh JLTV offers higher engine output and a heavy combat pedigree, but carries a lower mission payload in common configurations. Italy’s Iveco LMV2 is lighter and optimized for patrol and liaison roles rather than heavy command payloads. France’s Arquus Sherpa Light approaches the Eagle V in weight class but is typically marketed as a patrol and security platform, while heavier vehicles such as the Bushmaster prioritize troop transport. The Eagle V stands out through its balance of protection, payload, modularity, and European sustainment, making it particularly suited to Germany’s requirement for a scalable, multi-role protected vehicle across the full spectrum of operations.