RUAG, Rheinmetall produce new vehicle

BERNE, Switzerland, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- A new mine clearance and engineering vehicle has been developed by RUAG Defense of Switzerland and Rheinmetall of Germany.

The armored vehicle uses a Leopard 2 tank chassis, has an arm excavator and two capstan winches for clearing mines, as well as debris and barriers.

"What makes the armored engineer vehicle special is that it has to be able to cope with extreme situations," said RUAG Defense Chief Executive Officer Urs Breitmeier. "Unlike a regular excavator, it has to be able to withstand temperatures ranging from -40 to 60 degrees Celsius. Endurance tests have shown this is to be the case, as a result of which we have now reached product maturity."

Breitmeier said the system will be delivered to the Swiss armed forces later this year.

"I am delighted to be in a position to hand over the powerful Leopard AEV to armasuisse before the end of the year."