Biber Bridgelayer
Armoured vehicle-launched bridge (AVLB) based on the Leopard 1 chassis, providing rapid gap-crossing capability for armoured formations. Carries and deploys a single 22-metre MLC 60 (Military Load Classification 60) class bridge capable of supporting vehicles up to 60 tonnes including Leopard 2 tanks. Bridge deployment time of approximately 3-5 minutes under armour protection. The bridge spans gaps up to 20 metres. Protected to the same standard as the Leopard 1A5 with NBC system. Crew of 2. Weight of approximately 45 tonnes with bridge. While aging, the Biber remains essential to Bundeswehr combat engineer capability pending delivery of next-generation bridging systems. Multiple units have been provided to Ukraine.
![Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KNDS) logo](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="200" height="60" viewBox="0 0 200 60"><rect width="200" height="60" fill="%23111"/><text x="100" y="38" font-family="Arial" font-weight="bold" font-size="22" fill="%23c8a84b" text-anchor="middle">KMW</text></svg>)
- Rapidly deployable bridge enables armored forces to cross gaps in ~5 min
- Proven and reliable system over decades of Bundeswehr service
- Based on obsolete Leopard 1 chassis; limited protection
- MLC 60 rating insufficient for heaviest modern vehicles (Leopard 2A8)
- Aging fleet; replacement needed
- Single-span bridge limits gap crossing options
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