Armoured recovery vehicle 3 Buffalo

Rheinmetall / Systems and Products / Tracked Armoured Vehicles / Armoured recovery vehicle 3 Büffel

The Rheinmetall Buffalo 3 armoured recovery
vehicle

Buffalo – Over 30 years of reliable combat support

Buffalo – Over 30 years of reliable combat support

The Armoured Recovery Vehicle 3 Buffalo has been a proven support system for armored combat units for over three decades. It plays a crucial role in enhancing the mobility and operational endurance of mechanized formations, thereby directly increasing their combat effectiveness. Its range of tasks includes securing combat vehicles during water crossings, recovering damaged vehicles, and transporting them out of the battlefield. Additionally, it provides essential support for maintenance operations by supplying spare parts and tools. Its international track record of success is based on the proven Leopard 2 chassis, high functional performance, and excellent protection levels.

Key features

Recovery, towing and securing of vehicles up to MLC 80
Support in the repair of combat vehicles
32t crane
Main and auxiliary winch
Remote controle weapon station for self-defense
Smoke grenade launcher for self-defense
Battlefield recovery equipment
Universal transport platform
Dozer blade
Fully digitalized vehicles
Maximum protection and high mobility
Leopard 2 Chassis
MLC 80 drive
More than 200 systems in use in 12 nations
Introduced to LeoBEN group

Spectrum of use

The mechanized formations continue to constitute the core component of the Army’s armored forces. Their survivability, in addition to threat-appropriate armament, is highly dependent on their exceptional mobility. However, this mobility can be significantly restricted by difficult terrain. Getting stuck or immobilized can lead to the premature loss of a main battle tank, thereby severely impairing the combat effectiveness of the formation or tying up an excessive number of forces for vehicle recovery. Furthermore, combat-related damage to the running gear of a tracked vehicle caused by enemy fire, mines, or improvised explosive devices (IEDs) can result in its loss.

Against this backdrop, the mission spectrum of the Buffalo recovery tank includes, in particular, the recovery of tracked vehicles up to Military Load Classification (MLC) 80 in difficult terrain and from bodies of water, towing heavy tracked vehicles both in the field and on roads, securing tracked vehicles during water crossings, providing support for repair operations, transporting engines, as well as refueling and defueling tracked vehicles.