Swiss Army Opts for Leguan Bridge Layers

January 16th, 2015 By Krauss-Maffei Wegmann - defencetalk.com

The Swiss Defence Procurement Agency and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) signed a contract for the purchase of twelve Leguan bridge layers on a Leopard 2 chassis together with the associated peripherals and training equipment in Berne.

This brings to 16 the number of countries now using the Leguan system. As a major initiator of the Leopard 2 chassis variant, the Swiss Army is now one of four to be using these bridge layers.

The system is capable of laying one 26 – metre bridge or two separate bridges, each 14 metres in length. With a carrying capacity of around 70t (MLC 80), the bridge allows very heavy equipment to be used. The widespread use of the system results in very good interoperability.

This versatility, coupled with the unique protection and mobility characteristics of the Leopard 2 chassis, enables the Leguan to also be used for civilian purposes, for example, to quickly restore supply routes after natural catastrophes.

Krauss Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG leads the European market for highly protected wheeled and tracked vehicles. At locations in Germany, Brazil, Greece, Mexico, the Netherlands, Singapore, the United Kingdom, the USA and Turkey some 3,200 employees develop, manufacture and support its products.