Sweden orders bridge laying system from KMW

MUNICH, Germany, July 8 (UPI) -- Germany's Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH reports it is to supply Sweden with three LEGUAN bridge laying systems under a contract worth about $46 million.

The bridge laying systems will be mounted on Leopard 2 vehicle chassis, the company said.

The LEGUAN system is capable of laying an 85 foot bridge or two 46 foot bridges independent of each other. The bridges have a maximum load capacity of about 70 tons.

"Its versatility in combination with the Leopard 2 chassis' unique properties of protection and mobility makes the LEGUAN also suitable for civilian use, e.g. after natural catastrophes, in order to recreate infrastructure," the company said. "With additional pontoons, it is also possible to use the LEGUAN bridge as a ferry or a floating bridge."

The automatic bridge laying and system has been in service with the German army since the 1970s.

Once the systems are delivered, Sweden will become the 15th country to operate the LEGUAN system. Of the 15, three to do so with the Leopard 2 chassis, KMW said.

The contract received from Sweden's military also provides for peripheral services and training equipment and contains an option for ordering additional vehicles.