Whether deployed in combat within the NATO alliance, on peacekeeping missions far from home, or providing assistance at home, the engineering corps is a guarantor of combat power and operational effectiveness in all scenarios. To perform their diverse tasks, these units require high-performance and versatile special equipment. An excellent example of the best possible equipment is the Rheinmetall Kodiak, a true combat vehicle of genius.
On February 26, 2025, Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH demonstrated the capabilities and versatility of the armored engineering vehicle Kodiak on the occasion of the conference of commanders of the Polish military engineering corps. The event, which took place at the military training ground in Ostrowo Krzyckie, was attended by guests from the armed forces, procurement authorities and industry.
In the first part of the demonstration, the Kodiak demonstrated its high mobility, acceleration and speed on rough terrain. It then demonstrated its effectiveness in typical engineer corps tasks, which include supporting the movements of friendly forces and hindering enemy forces. For this purpose, it used its excavator arm, mounted in the center of the vehicle, and its dozer blade. The advantages of the central-arm construction concept, which defines the vehicle's design, were also evident in other phases of the demonstration. The Kodiak first dug an anti-tank trench and then repaired a bank damaged by a flood. The highlight of the demonstration was the overcoming of the same anti-tank trench previously dug.
The AEV 3 Kodiak It is currently the only new armored engineering vehicle based on the chassis of the Leopard 2, developed specifically for the needs of the engineering departments. The well-balanced chassis of the Leopard 2, with its 1.100 kW propulsion system, offers exceptional mobility.
Rheinmetall is responsible for the production and marketing of the AEV 3 Kodiak. In addition to Switzerland, other users employing the Kodiak to support their Leopard 2 tanks include Sweden, the Netherlands and Singapore, along with the ARV 3 “Büffel” (Buffalo) armoured recovery vehicle. In addition, in spring 2021, the Bundeswehr commissioned Rheinmetall to supply 44 engineer vehicles Kodiak.
Conversion into a mine-clearing vehicle Keiler NG
During the event in Poland, the high modularity and the possibility of conversion of the Kodiak in an armoured mine-clearing system, known as Keiler Next Generation (NG). Operational experience from the conflict in Ukraine has shown that warfare with and around obstacles is becoming increasingly crucial on the battlefields of the future. At Eurosatory 2024, Rheinmetall presented the Keiler NG, a new, highly protected, mobile armoured combat support vehicle designed to rapidly breach obstacles during operations. This system, known as Armored Breaching Vehicle (ABV), meets all current tactical requirements and offers a high guarantee of future suitability.
Rheinmetall offers customers two procurement options:
- Purchase of the Mine Clearance Kit as additional equipment for the AEV Kodiak.
- Buying a system Keiler NG personalized and separate.
The ease and speed with which the Kodiak can be equipped with the additional modular kits of the Keiler NG was demonstrated through the display of modular components. These include:
- A Pearson mine clearing plough, over 4 metres wide, capable of clearing mines at a speed of up to 250 metres per minute on loose ground.
- The rocket-assisted detonation cord system “Plofadder”, developed by Rheinmetall Denel Munition, is capable of clearing a 160-meter-long and 9-meter-wide hole in a matter of minutes through minefields and obstacles. When used together, two Plofadder systems can clear an area up to 250 meters deep.
- A system of marking cleared lanes, allowing forces to follow them safely even in poor visibility or at night.
Unlike the Kodiak, Keiler NG It does not have an excavator arm but is equipped with an integrated crane, which allows for the autonomous assembly of additional modules, maintenance and tool changes.
For self-protection, both the Kodiak the Keiler NG They are equipped with:
- The ROSY (Rapid Obscuring System) system for the rapid generation of smoke screens.
- The Natter 12,7mm remote-controlled weapon station.
