PGZ and Rheinmetall sign MOU on support vehicles

PGZ and Rheinmetall have signed an MOU to co-operate on support vehicles such as Keiler NG (pictured). (Rheinmetall)

Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) and Rheinmetall announced in separate press releases on 13 October that they had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to co-operate on support vehicles for the Polish Armed Forces. The MOU aims to form a joint venture to create a European support vehicle centre.

The companies said the centre would produce armoured recovery vehicles (ARVs), armoured engineering vehicles with mine-breaching capabilities, and armoured vehicle-launched bridges. Rheinmetall noted the armoured tracked and wheeled vehicles it produces include the Keiler NG (Next Generation) armoured breaching vehicle that it designed.

Björn Bernhard, managing director of Rheinmetall Vehicle Systems Europe, said, “By signing the MOU, we not only open the door towards an extension of Polandʼs heavy vehicles manufacturing capability but also contribute to building an all-European defence potential, new multination partnerships, capabilities redundance – so important in view to the current threat from the East – and multinational supply chains.”

PGZ CEO Adam Leszkiewicz added, “As part of building the global PGZ brand, we prioritise diversifying our international associates, and Rheinmetall is a proven partner and a key European defence company. The agreement will open the way to expand our collaboration to include additional solutions, including those we can jointly offer to external markets.” He said the agreement was also important for PGZ subsidiary Wojskowe Zakłady Motoryzacyjne and potentially its partner, H Cegielski, both in Poznań, and “offers business development opportunities and demonstrates product diversification within the PGZ Group”.

For more information on Keiler NG, please seeEurosatory 2024: Rheinmetall unveils Keiler NG armoured breaching vehicle .